building a putz style foot bridge...

[Howard]

Good afternoon to all…

It’s time for a new project…not a house this time…but a small foot bridge…a piece you see in many photos of vintage villages…and for some reason…there are usually sheep on or near it…

Traditionally these bridges are made from wood and twigs…I thought I’d make one from cardboard, paper and lollipop sticks…

I’ll post a plan, progress pictures and additional details later…today…just the basic material info…

Four pieces of express mail/shipping boxes laminated together with white glue in a blank about 9” x 12”…the four laminations of this thin corrugated cardboard will be about ¼” thick…suggestion…align the flutes in the same direction…this will make the main span part of the bridge stronger…

Strips of cereal box cardboard the same width as the thickness of the laminated cardboard…these strips will be used as edge banding around the cut out pieces for the bridge…

Four bridge post and two top rails…lollipop sticks wrapped with paper to make them about ¼” in diameter…this “rolled firecracker” method is outlined by forum member Tom Hull…here’s a link…

http://www.cardboardchristmas.com/papat ... emend.html

The other two side rails are lollipops sticks just as they come from the package…

More later…my very best regards…

Howard

[BrianB]

Cool Project!!!!!! Cant wait to see if all put together!

[Howard]

Good afternoon…

I was able to get in a little shop time this morning…

First pix…layout of parts on laminated cardboard…note direction of flutes and size of each piece…(you can enlarge or reduce the dimensions to make your bridge a different size)…the simple cereal box cardboard template eliminates measuring each and every hole location…suggestion…punch the holes before cutting out pieces…

Second pix…cut out parts, edge banding detail and assembly…the most important thing is to align the holes in the steps and the span before the glue sets…

Now…on to the rails and posts…also...if I've left out any details or you have questions...let me know...

My very best regards…

Howard…

[PutzinVT]

Always love the photos.
Really helps explain it.

[les]

Thanks, Howard, for a great project and how-to!!! Today is a perfect workshop day up here in the northern climes. High today is -5 F.

[Howard]

good afternoon...

here are posts, railings and assembly pins...

posts are 1 1/8" long plus the lower tip that measures an additional 5/8"...there is a small hole drilled into the top of each post...i also cut a shallow notch on each post about half way up to receive the lower lollipop stick rails which are 4 3/4" long...

top railings are 5" long...there is a small hole drilled through them near the end that lines up with a small hole that is drilled into the top of each post...

the pins are sections of large straight pins...all pieces are assembled with two-part, five-minute epoxy cement for strength...

tomorrow...hopefully...some primer and finish...

my very best regards...

howard...

[Howard]

good morning to all...

the little bridge is finished...i need to give it a couple of light coats of "satin finish" clear spray to take off the shine..may dry brush on some suggestions of bark with a golden brown first...even add a few touches of dried moss like is seen on some vintage originals...

my very best regards...howard...

[Barb]

Howard I love this! It's going to be on my "to do" list for sure!

[BrianB]

Looks Awesome Howard, you nailed the vintage feel on that one! Love you sheep too!

[maria]

Inspired by Howard's bridge above, I decided to finish a project I started months ago. Having "antiqued" two plastic white fences from a dollar store bag of "farm animals"---and discovered a bottle of German black glass glitter at a tag sale for 50 cents, well, I "trashbashed" this