Horosinski Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Hi there...this is the first time that I have written a question. I am currently retrofitting/remodeling (kitbashing :-)) a 35 year old Dura Craft Colonial dollhouse which my parents had built for my daughter. I recently purchased one of the lovely curved staircases to replace the one which had come with the kit. Unfortunately the staircase did not contain information regarding the size of the opening required at the top of the stairs. The original Dura Craft opening is too small. i am concerned that I will make a “huge, irreparable hole” in my attempts to enlarge. Has anyone out there installed one of the curved staircases who can provide some dimensions? Thank you in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Not seeing it ?? But you can take some cardboard or poster board with the new staircase cut the cardboard to the opening you think you will need, Once you are satisfied you now have the size of the opening you will need, this way you can adjust until you have it right before cutting. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 The width will be the width of the stairs. The length of the opening should start at about 7 inches from the step just under the beginning of the opening. Does that make sense? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Using the above info, you now can make your pattern the size you need to enlarge the hole for the stairs. When you take a break before doing the actual cutting, do consider posting us an introduction in the Newcomers' Forum. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qubanqtee Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 the beautiful part about cutting a hole is that you can always repair it BUT, as @sable said, the measurement should be 7 inches - imagine a human walking through the stairs - that's the size clearance they'd need to not bang their head on the ceiling...with that said, Dura-craft has a smaller footprint then most houses so I'd actually start a little smaller at about 5 inches with a template and see if that would work with the angle of your staircase. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horosinski Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 On 2/13/2019, 11:38:31, Sable said: The width will be the width of the stairs. The length of the opening should start at about 7 inches from the step just under the beginning of the opening. Does that make sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horosinski Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 Hi....I had to think about the seven inches for a bit :-). I’ve cut out 5 inches (lengthwise) thus far, thinking I could squeeze in the staircase (I hated losing the floor space!)....however, you are totally spot on about the 7 inches for the dollhouse “believability” factor. Thank you for your guidance! I’m certain I shall have many more questions as I proceed! (Back to my Dremel) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horosinski Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 On 2/13/2019, 8:37:16, Qubanqtee said: the beautiful part about cutting a hole is that you can always repair it BUT, as @sable said, the measurement should be 7 inches - imagine a human walking through the stairs - that's the size clearance they'd need to not bang their head on the ceiling...with that said, Dura-craft has a smaller footprint then most houses so I'd actually start a little smaller at about 5 inches with a template and see if that would work with the angle of your staircase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horosinski Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 You are so very correct about the Dura-Craft having a small footprint....I already have too much furniture and I’ve just begun!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sable Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 22 minutes ago, Horosinski said: Hi....I had to think about the seven inches for a bit :-). I’ve cut out 5 inches (lengthwise) thus far, thinking I could squeeze in the staircase (I hated losing the floor space!)....however, you are totally spot on about the 7 inches for the dollhouse “believability” factor. Thank you for your guidance! I’m certain I shall have many more questions as I proceed! (Back to my Dremel) That’s not exactly what I meant. Measure from the first floor to the second floor with the stairs in place. As you go up each step measure until the step is 7 inches directly from the ceiling. Directly above that step is where you will begin cutting the hole. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horosinski Posted February 16, 2019 Author Share Posted February 16, 2019 Gotcha!!!! Duh....thank you! That makes sense to me now. Thank you so very much...I’m out of town right now and can’t wait to get back home so I can proceed measuring and cutting with confidence (operative word)! If I can figure out how to reduce pixels I’ll attach a photo.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qubanqtee Posted February 16, 2019 Share Posted February 16, 2019 to reduce the size of a picture, many folks on here use https://resizeimage.net its a big help for uploading here. Cant' wait to see how it works out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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