Basically it all depends on your skill and the scale of your model. You can do it with metal rod but it must be scaled down so it doesn´t look too cumbersome, besides it will need some soldering which is tedious and requires some practice.

There are options, however. Several manufacturers sell stanchions in various sizes and shapes and all you need to do is to join them with brass rod. I build my models in 1:72 and use commercial stanchions that save me a lot of work and are of very good quality (mind I have never entered a contest!). I use cyano to glue the rod to the stanchions.

I am away from home now, but if you can wait a couple of weeks I can send you the address, I remember I found it in Model Boats several years ago.

Cheers,
GUIDO.

Hi Sam,
Here´s the promised address (better late than never, I expect!):

James Lane (Display Models)
30 The Broadway
Blyth, Northumberland NE 24 2PP

Phone 01670 352051

He makes round stanchions in 1:128, 96, 72 and 24, but other scales are available too. Besides, they are much cheaper than turned brass stanchions.

Good luck!

James Lane is the man for stanchions 01670 352 051

No Email address I’m afraid, just the phone number.