Assembly Notes /Getting Started (A) page 5
Instructions for Kit #B 1895
Assembly Notes:
A large, clutter-free, well-lighted work area is helpful
during assembly, but a flat work surface is essential.
Read the instructions
carefully; look at each of the
illustrations.
!With the parts in your hands!
, think
the assembly through before you proceed.
Test fit each time you are ready to glue a piece in
place...then you’ll know you have it right.
If more tape or a helper is needed, it’s good to know
that before the parts have glue on them.
Don’t be stingy with glue or tape; use generous
amounts. Always wipe off excess glue immediately.
Keep one damp rag and one dry rag handy all the time.
Have weights available
for holding things tight
as glue joints dry (stacks of books, gallons of pure
Vermont Maple Syrup - anything heavy)
Glue the body of your dollhouse together
with
white, water clean-up glue that dries clear. Do not
use instant-bond (super glue), fast-tack, rubber ce-
ment, silicone, or hot melt glues. They are all used
in some wood applications, but they all have some
characteristic that makes them un-desirable for the
body of your dollhouse. Carpenter Glue works
well, but glue-smear dries yellow or tan; many of
the things you glue onto the house are pre-painted
– extra glue will show. I use Aleene’s Tacky Glue®
for all house body assembly.
Make sure everything is straight and flat as glue
dries... That’s the shape that will be permanent.
Glue the shingles on
with glue that doesn’t have
any water in it! If the glue says ”water clean-up”, it
will curl the wooden shingles. Look carefully at the
glue you intend to use to be sure it is solvent-based,
or use hot-melt glue (and watch out for the burns).
Check ingredients and warnings! Solvent-based
glues say “Caution, Flammable”.
If you Wallpaper
, use Universal Barder Paste
®
.
Brush paste on the wallpaper, then the wall, and
finally smooth the wallpaper into position.
When glue is drying, skip ahead to up-coming as-
sembly steps and prepare the parts that will be used.
Before you begin, read the “Finish the Inside” sec-
tion on the last page.
A: Getting Started:
Do these things before the house assembly
Make two cuts in each
corner from the outside (one
from each direction), then
cut from each direction on
the inside to cut away the
rounding in the corner so
the window, door, or stairs
will fit.
Stain the Shingles
: Our pro uses Real Good Toys’ Shingle
Dye (available through your miniature dealer or www.real-
goodtoys.com) when dying the shingles for this house.
Square the corners
of the window, door, and stair holes with
a utility knife - each cutout has a rounded corner left over
from the tool that made it.
You can also use a
penetrating
stain (like “Minwax”). Do not
use
surface-coating
stain to
batch-finish the shingles.
Batch dye or stain the shingles
several days ahead of time so
they will be dry when the time
comes to use them (instruc-
tions are with the shingle dye).
OnLine Support:
There are many photos of Dollhouses under construction as well as tips, techniques,
and extra help with your dollhouse project at: www.realgoodtoys.help
Wiring?
Some of the steps are easiest before and
during assembly. See www.realgoodtoys.help to
plan your wiring project
