BigC Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Hi..I'm new to the forum and reside in Ireland...Thinking it was a good idea to start building a dolls house from scratch for my new grand-daughter to maybe cherish in years to come. I'm not bad with the old DIY skills so once I get my head around the scale of these things I might be fine (he says lol).. I'm planning to build a 1/12 scale house loosely adhering to Georgian style architecture and at the minute all the plans are in my head.....I have purchased some 9mm MDF for the walls etc and a few oddments like a front door, an internal door and a front sash window...just for measurements, although I'm not happy with the front door as a blind man on a foggy night could have built it better (mullions are all askew etc) so may return it..I was going to try and align it all square again but I'd probably be better just having it replaced altogether. Anyway as a new member to the forum I hope I can gleen some informative replies to the many questions I'm sure to have.....and I look forward to many conversations in the future...Regards C 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beulah Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Welcome to the forum Colin. We are so glad to have you. My first dollhouse was for my granddaughter also. The things those little girls get us into lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Welcome to the little family, Colin. As Joanne says, you are beginning to tread a primrose path that could well lead into more & more house & the goodies with which to fill them. As one who makes new doors & windows for the house kits I build, by all means return that badly made door and make a proper one. The first dollhouse the hubs and I built for our first granddaughter we used a sheet of 3/8" plywood. We did buy and use one purchased front door, but left off the windows; she and her little cousins had their hands through those window openings to play as soon as they clustered around the house. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigC Posted December 3, 2017 Author Share Posted December 3, 2017 3 minutes ago, Beulah said: Welcome to the forum Colin. We are so glad to have you. My first dollhouse was for my granddaughter also. The things those little girls get us into lol Thank you Beulah for the warm welcome...This is pretty much a minefield for me at the minute as I get to grips with the outside and the facades etc both scale and fixings...Internally I have no plans as such, yet...nor need anything else clouding my mind until the externals is complete....I know this will take some time and a labour of love...What I do have is all my DIY tools and my trusty scrollsaw which I'm sure will come in very useful in the time ahead. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigC Posted December 3, 2017 Author Share Posted December 3, 2017 5 minutes ago, havanaholly said: Welcome to the little family, Colin. As Joanne says, you are beginning to tread a primrose path that could well lead into more & more house & the goodies with which to fill them. As one who makes new doors & windows for the house kits I build, by all means return that badly made door and make a proper one. The first dollhouse the hubs and I built for our first granddaughter we used a sheet of 3/8" plywood. We did buy and use one purchased front door, but left off the windows; she and her little cousins had their hands through those window openings to play as soon as they clustered around the house. Thank you also for the warm welcome....Yes I can see this mushrooming given half the chance...I started out with a basic idea and now I'm setting my sights a little higher hopefully I can bring the bare bones to fruition in the near future....I think I will return the door....To be fair to the seller (Ebay) he did mention that it was a value door (wood) but I wasn't prepared for the lack of a decent standard....if I fitted it ...it would always be catching my eye...see what you think from the image...the first mullion is askew and the side mini pillars are out of alignment....not good....In my estimation....is this normal in the minature world or am I correct in thinking I should expect a little better..See image and comment on what I should do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 52 minutes ago, BigC said: Thank you also for the warm welcome....Yes I can see this mushrooming given half the chance...I started out with a basic idea and now I'm setting my sights a little higher hopefully I can bring the bare bones to fruition in the near future....I think I will return the door....To be fair to the seller (Ebay) he did mention that it was a value door (wood) but I wasn't prepared for the lack of a decent standard....if I fitted it ...it would always be catching my eye...see what you think from the image...the first mullion is askew and the side mini pillars are out of alignment....not good....In my estimation....is this normal in the minature world or am I correct in thinking I should expect a little better..See image and comment on what I should do I agree, it is off. Best return it and get a new one. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 This might be a good substitute: https://www.miniatures.com/Victorian-Door-P17739.aspx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 If you don't want to make the door here are some online sources: https://www.dollhouseminiatures.com/supplies/doors4.htm http://www.dollshouse.com/dolls-house-building-supplies?cat=36 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigC Posted December 3, 2017 Author Share Posted December 3, 2017 Thanks guys I will probably have to source a new door as much as I like this style, its unprofessional makeup would haunt me forever lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My Miniature Madness Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Welcome Colin! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigC Posted December 3, 2017 Author Share Posted December 3, 2017 2 hours ago, Its_a_sm_world_after_all said: Welcome Colin! Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thimble Hall Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Welcome from a Yorkshire lass living in Canada who shops a lot over there. Try Dolls House Emporium for ideas especially doors ;lights, wallpaper etc.. I know they do free shipping in the UK. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mid-life madness Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Welcome Colin. You have a keen eye. I am fairly new to this hobby, and I have found you do get better quality on certain names with higher prices. My house is crooked/ charming in every aspect. It drives my husband crazy because he is a cabinet maker and finish worker by trade. I am always in awe of people who can do such clean precise work! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L Swearengin Posted December 3, 2017 Share Posted December 3, 2017 Welcome to our happy place. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mineejv Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 YES..... Like Lawanda said: " Welcome to our Happy place" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigC Posted December 4, 2017 Author Share Posted December 4, 2017 Has anyone bought this book....I like the Georgian build and could elaborate upon it...I imagine it would give me a little idea of what I'm getting myself into and of scale/measurments etc..Seeing as its my first house it may arm me with a little basic information If any one has this in their collection could you please comment and give me some insight as what to expect...its pretty cheap second hand and it may be what I'm looking for as a beginner. Regards C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 47 minutes ago, BigC said: Has anyone bought this book....I like the Georgian build and could elaborate upon it...I imagine it would give me a little idea of what I'm getting myself into and of scale/measurments etc..Seeing as its my first house it may arm me with a little basic information If any one has this in their collection could you please comment and give me some insight as what to expect...its pretty cheap second hand and it may be what I'm looking for as a beginner. Regards C It offers plans so I’d buy it. Attached are some reviews: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/making-dolls-houses-in-112-scale-a-david--charles-craft-book_brian-nickolls/905771/?mkwid=sa9sFe07d%7cdm&pcrid=70112899992&pkw=&pmt=&plc=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI9MX3x5bx1wIVEVcNCh1SQgffEAQYASABEgKpp_D_BwE#isbn=0715398482&idiq=8155217 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thimble Hall Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Colin re your doo,I just noticed . it is part of the Wonham collection they are supposed to be a good , most of their miniatures are a bit more than most over there..It must have been a second 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 I have that book but have not built anything from it, having this rather hefty stack of unbuilt kits. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigC Posted December 5, 2017 Author Share Posted December 5, 2017 10 hours ago, Jeannine said: Colin re your doo,I just noticed . it is part of the Wonham collection they are supposed to be a good , most of their miniatures are a bit more than most over there..It must have been a second I guess it is or must have been Jeannine.. I think I might exchange it for something less extravagant so long as the lines are straight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigC Posted December 5, 2017 Author Share Posted December 5, 2017 Well I just clicked the "Buy Now" button and purchased the following used but in very good condition books..I hope they help in my initial quest and thirst for information and plans all for under £10 now that cant be bad... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted December 5, 2017 Share Posted December 5, 2017 I used to have the first one, I sent my copy to another forum member in TX who was a scratch bu8ilder and he built the water mill. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigC Posted December 6, 2017 Author Share Posted December 6, 2017 Is that the terminology for someone who builds their own from raw materials....?? I'm torn between two worlds mostly to err on the scratch side but would maybe buy one small kit without the basement etc just to see the principals, scales and cutting (mainly of the roof components) maybe these books will offer up some answers...anyone know of any great links on roof construction plans(not finishing with slates etc) just general construction..I'm really interested in this area of the facade and how it either is cut at the time of building the sides etc or is a separate entity and lifts up away entirely from the main box structure and the way it sits on the structure and by what means...Regards C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
speedytones21 Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 Can't wait to see how your project turns out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted December 6, 2017 Share Posted December 6, 2017 4 hours ago, BigC said: Is that the terminology for someone who builds their own from raw materials....?? I'm torn between two worlds mostly to err on the scratch side but would maybe buy one small kit without the basement etc just to see the principals, scales and cutting (mainly of the roof components) maybe these books will offer up some answers...anyone know of any great links on roof construction plans(not finishing with slates etc) just general construction..I'm really interested in this area of the facade and how it either is cut at the time of building the sides etc or is a separate entity and lifts up away entirely from the main box structure and the way it sits on the structure and by what means...Regards C Yes, several of our members are very talented scratch builders. The tab & lot kits' roof pieces have slots that fit onto tabs along the tops of the exterior walls. If you were to make a full roof you wouldn't do that with the half you want to have be lifted for attic access, and you'd want something like a long piano hinge for under the peak and some device to hold it open whilst the granddaughter plays with it. I've been now to cut pieces of card for making roofs (like a porch roof I had to cobble together for the missing porch from a rescue house I had to rebuild totally: http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/?app=gallery&module=gallery&controller=browse&album=1103). Once you have dry fit your exterior walls & foors you can make your roof templates. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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