| Project by spanky46 | posted 1224 days ago | 1807 views | 7 times favorited | 15 comments |  |
 |
Back in the late spring my cousin called me to see if the offer to use my shop was still open and could I help him with a project! I said of course it would be fun! About 18 years ago he fell from some scaffolding and broke his back. Paralyzed from the mid chest down he only gets around in a wheelchair. Since we both have granddaughters he thought we both could build dollhouses for them for Christmas. His wife found a plan she liked and so we would build two dollhouses just alike except for floors, paint, wallpaper, etc. 1/12th scale. We started in late September thinking that would be lots of time! Although they both got them on Christmas they were not done until New years! Way more work than either of us anticipated. All three floors are on separate switches!
Things we bought.
Clapboard siding
Stairs
Front and back doors
Electrical Kit
Shingles
Hardwood flooring
Rosettes
Things we made.
Windows- Plexiglas with saw kerfs filled with white-out
Casings
Jams
Trim
Railings & Spindles- inside and out including posts
Porch floors
Crown
Base
Door jams, casing & trim
All walls and framing is 3/8 MDF.
-- spanky46 -- Never enough clamps...Never enough tools...Never enough time.
| Pin It |
15 comments so far
David Craig
home | projects | blog
2127 posts in 1281 days
#1 posted 1224 days ago
One thing I learned so far about making Christmas presents is that if I don’t start in January, hang it up :)
Very detailed project and the complexity must have been alot of fun overall. Not to mention the time spent working on a project together. I can’t imagine how much that must have meant to your cousin. Separate lights for each floor? Either you are teaching energy conservation early or that realism bug kicked in and you two wanted to go all out. Your granddaughters must be thrilled and they are very lucky to have such caring grandfathers.
David
-- There is little that is simple when it comes to making a simple box.
Hacksaw007
home | projects | blog
560 posts in 1361 days
#2 posted 1224 days ago
Outstanding! I have always wanted to make one, just never seen to get the time…..
-- For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
degoose
home | projects | blog
6598 posts in 1527 days
#3 posted 1224 days ago
Get out of here… that is outrageous… no wonder I have not heard from you for a while Larry…
-- Drink twice... and don't bother to cut... @ larrysworkshop.wordpress.com For lovers of all things timber...
Dennisgrosen
home | projects | blog
10854 posts in 1288 days
#4 posted 1224 days ago
awesome build and a great story with it my hat of for you
Dennis
kansas
home | projects | blog
146 posts in 1874 days
#5 posted 1223 days ago
That is a fantastic job. I bet it was harder than building a full size house.
a1Jim
home | projects | blog
87370 posts in 1749 days
#6 posted 1223 days ago
Wow that’s agreat doll house
-- W James Brokenbourgh Custom furniture maker http://artisticwoodstudio.com/
Lee A. Jesberger
home | projects | blog
6501 posts in 2152 days
#7 posted 1223 days ago
Hey Spanky;
That’s a really nice project. I’m sure it was very time consuming! Those “EASY” ones always are.
Lee
-- by Lee A. Jesberger http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com http://www.ezee-feed.com
JenWoodworking
home | projects | blog
128 posts in 1243 days
#8 posted 1223 days ago
I agree, I bet they are harder to build than a real house!! Some dollies are going to have very comfortable homes with MANY happy owners as it goes down the generations, very cool.
-- Jen loves wood!
ND2ELK
home | projects | blog
13495 posts in 1946 days
#9 posted 1223 days ago
Very impressive dollhouses! You guys did a great job on them. Thanks for posting.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
Napaman
home | projects | blog
5019 posts in 2249 days
#10 posted 1223 days ago
i love the lights…and the close-up shots look like a real house…
-- Matt--Proud LJ since 2007
MsDebbieP
home | projects | blog
18320 posts in 2333 days
#11 posted 1223 days ago
extraordinary!
Many many many children through the ages will enjoy these amazing creations. Family heirlooms for sure.
-- ~ Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)
spanky46
home | projects | blog
968 posts in 1563 days
#12 posted 1223 days ago
Thank you all for the wonderful comments! Yes my granddaughter loves it.
For more pics of the building of these dollhouses go to…. http://s601.photobucket.com/albums/tt99/Spanky46_2009/Dollhouse%20Pics/
-- spanky46 -- Never enough clamps...Never enough tools...Never enough time.
RexMcKinnon
home | projects | blog
2590 posts in 1368 days
#13 posted 1222 days ago
Great Stuff. I don’t think I would have the patience to do something like that.
-- If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail!
bigike
home | projects | blog
4023 posts in 1461 days
#14 posted 1216 days ago
dam can i rent a room or a house? the rent will be on time. i just need space for my shop though.
-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop, http://www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com
oakwood
home | projects | blog
291 posts in 242 days
#15 posted 115 days ago
What a beautiful doll house. The kids must have been overjoyed. Thanks for posting and the house is now in my favorites should I need some inspiration and ideas some day…..all the best
Have your say...