Mocking up large radii? Handrails, cages etc

[Ign]

I'd like to find a way to mock up a curved handrail. Something I can shape by hand just to play around with ideas. I considered electrical wire but it's hard to get a feel for it with something so small in diameter plus it kinks so easily. Maybe soft copper tubing?

What have others used?

 

[skwirl]

Foam pool noodles?

Get the kind with a hole in the middle and put some heavy guage wire inside to help hold the curved shape.

 

[rockwithjason]

I have seen the terrazzo floor guys use fiberglass rods for laying out large curves. They make several versions of rods for fishing wires in walls and ceilings

 

[dumbswede]

3/4 PVC...cheap and holds form well.

 

[aka Larry]

Steel brake line.

 

[Ign]

So update sorta.......I went strolling thru HD today thinking out of the box (no pun intended as I was in a big box store). Most promising was 10' of 1/2" PEX for $3. Yeah, the 1/2" is kinda small but it could give a general idea.....and while I didn't measure it and know nothing of PEX I'm guessing that like pipe it's not true to nominal size on the OD? I dunno, but felt it could work.

Also in plumbing lots of clear poly tubing, "micro" tubing and soaker/drip tubing were candidates.

I strolled thru building supplies and the cheap galvanized L-channel for drywall could work too, I think it was $2 for 10'. Eventually it would fatigue/break, but who cares.

Anyway just some thoughts.

 

[Mitchw123456]

why not use a piece of 1/8 flat bar with holes drilled in the ends with a longer piece of all thread with nuts to make the bar give you your radius. It would also make it easier to replicate the exact radius.