Thread: Building Crowies Dolls House - A slow WIP

Out of interest based on the last photo above, the ground and first floor walls on the left hand side together with the right hand end of the right hand first floor wall are removable to allow access.

Looking fantastic - when can I move in?

It is taking shape now and looking great in the process. Can't remember seeing who this was being built for, whoever will be delighted or if it is to be kept by yourself a piece to be proud of.
Keep the pictures coming

Today I decided to make a small ‘thin strip’ jig to cut the window framing pieces out of 6mm strips of paulonia / kiri. Its basically a piece of ply rebated to take a cover strip as a hold down and a rear piece that acts as a handle as well as the pusher for the strip being cut. I do use a feather board (not shown) to hold the strip against the jig and the whole lot runs along the fence. This method means I don’t have to move the fence at all which on the Makita saw is a shocker to fine adjust.
Attachment 221572
The result is a lot of small strips
Attachment 221573
I drew a lot of diamonds on a sheet of paper and laid out the Perspex cut to size and held down with some yellow blu-tac.
Attachment 221574
Using the lines as a guide I scored the Perspex with the point of a pen-knife then went over them with a felt-tipped pen and rubbed off the excess to result in ‘lead-light’ panes of glass.
Attachment 221575
The aforementioned strips were then glued on with epoxy and the end result dry-tested to determine finish etc. I think a matt polyurethane will provide a better effect rather than my original intention to stain.
Attachment 221576

You've certainly done a fine job on the window......well done...Cheers, crowie

Very impresive build and more new methods


Eddie

Looks great. Great thin strip jig by the way. Simple and effective.

Bret

Hi,
Very interesting post.
I'm tempted to follow but my skills/imagination/adapting/improvisation abilities don't allow me to be reasonably successful unless I have a layout to follow. (I've completed toy house and building projects but only from patterns purchased). As for drawing the details I'm solely a pencil and paper type, Computer drawing programmes seem to be far beyond me. However you have encouraged me and I'm determined to try and thanks for that.
A couple of points - and I hope that they won't be treated as "nit picking", I realise that the project is 'adaptable'.
1 The directions seem
mention eight posts, was there a reason for an extra one?
2 Do you intend to have a second floor in 'Á' wing (shown on the cutting list)?
3 The picture shown and Crowie's pdf file (Tudor Style Dolls House 097.pdf) aren't the ones for this post. Mind you thanks for the extra plans Crowie.
Again thank you for the topic.
Bob H.

A descent of visitors has meant no progress for most of the week but now back into it.
As mentioned earlier, plans may change as the build progresses and so it has been. Looking at the current state of play there was no place for the fireplace and if no fireplace then no chimney and IMHO a dolls house is not a dolls house without a chimney. The obvious position was currently occupied by a window . . .
Attachment 222739
. . . so retrieving the cutout from the scrap bin I glued it back in . . .
Attachment 222740
. . . repainted inside and installed a fireplace.
Attachment 222741
A brick chimney effect is yet to be added to the outside wall and some form of hearth on the inside. Also I am wondering about blackening the fireplace interior.
Progress on the windows has been halted while I find a suitable adhesive to attach the wood framing to the Perspex. I used 5 min araldite for the first and that was OK except it went off too quickly and had a tendency to smear. I then tried Weldbond but that failed miserably – the wood just fell off when trying to sand a finish to the framing. Any suggestions welcome.
Bob - Re-reading the plans does suggest 8 posts. In my initial haste I just multiplied the three from the end view by the three from the front view and got 9. The plans fig 1 seem to hint that the very centre of the arcade does not have a post. Yes I will be having an 'attic' area though not as much as originally intended. The beauty of such builds is that I believe plans are a guide not a command!

Thanks to everyone for your comments and encouragement.

G'Day "OtakiriLad",
What about just useing natural cure silicon.
You could mask up the perspect & the frame to avoid smearing onto either.
Others may have better ideas.
Love the fire place, well done!!
Cheers, crowie

Sounds like a good idea, thanks Crowie – looks like another visit to the green shed.
Moving right along I have started on the roof framing above the main living area which is a bit of a slow process waiting for glue to dry and walking away rather than being tempted to continue and risk knocking bits off before its properly dry.
Attachment 222868

Attachment 222869
There is no ceiling as such which is in line with photos of interiors I have found on the net.
Attachment 222870
By the way – is it practice here as in Kiwiland for the builders to erect a flag when the roof is on and for the owner to shout a few coldies? Seems like a good idea.

Looking terrific. Great WIP

Originally Posted by OtakiriLad

Sounds like a good idea, thanks Crowie – looks like another visit to the green shed.
Moving right along I have started on the roof framing above the main living area which is a bit of a slow process waiting for glue to dry and walking away rather than being tempted to continue and risk knocking bits off before its properly dry.
Attachment 222868

Attachment 222869
There is no ceiling as such which is in line with photos of interiors I have found on the net.
Attachment 222870
By the way – is it practice here as in Kiwiland for the builders to erect a flag when the roof is on and for the owner to shout a few coldies? Seems like a good idea.

Can't help you with the flag or cold ones questions BUT love the picture you found on the interior.
Well done on the build & thank you for keeping the photos coming.
cheers, crowie

The house is looking very good ,especiealy the Interior finished one Keep the pics coming,you are doing a good job of the build,


Eddie