Take two identical 30 degree knife blades, make sure they are held firmly against each other and insert them into a plastic handle.
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_b2b78d356865f1497802DE7GSE9KQ11J.jpg]
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_92b29e4ff8431b10f30buZmegDxUsJLQ.jpg]
Then, use this custom-made knife to cut along a ruler, thin laserprint paper is recommended as inkjet paper delaminates easily. Make sure the ends are not detached from the bulk of the paper.
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_2fb1c04225c99ade858ce5wYaauoGFVf.jpg]
Then comes the clever part, insert a wooden plank to pull the stripes tight, in order to attach the vertical columns
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_6187988feddd9182eb22wio40FuVmcOm.jpg]
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_aa0ad58dcf3f4d986978ssY6ieP1dJHx.jpg]
Attaching the vertical columns are best aided with a ruler to help making the intervals constant, the protruding parts can be trimmed later.
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_4335fe1cf8bd3c9f7b63Oy5zenW3EdcA.jpg]
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_8dd53fafb988d97ee4b1iP1arVI31T8Z.jpg]
End result:
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_2784abe0221e479ad8b0aJzkk2dHDO0h.jpg]
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_6a613d33d47abaf172a8HuhOCG87ZU4N.jpg]
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_e3c5bd92af67e8429132RJsVbmOXg071.jpg]
Comparison with Lasercut rails:
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_0f5ac6a06386f26c0abbUzVivMpQSf1V.jpg]
As seen here, the scratchbuilt rails gives a more 3d look, and does not have dark edges like the lasercut ones. --But still, colouring is always an option
Handrails for ladders can be made with the same method, only now cutting curves:
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_7aeeea662bec9ee0927aKwewyxiMCa0Z.jpg]
The thickness of the railing can be easily controlled by inserting a thin piece of metal between the blades.
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_d207cc173dcadc5908cdDKwtUQiErYGx.jpg]
Effect:
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080311_6cc1f0b7dc2e2c37d292Vtb59wApSJqj.jpg]
[Blocked Image: http://www.cardmodel.cn/attachments/month_0803/20080314_01f0af6bb337fda620f1f7gkbC2tk7Cd.jpg]