Friendly Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 I have reached the stage in my doll house construction where I have to install windows. Rather than purchase ready-made ones (not available in the necessary sizes anyway) I am going to build them from scratch. Any pointers? thanks, Lin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharon Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Northeastern scale lumber has instructions for making windows: www.northeasternscalelumber.com. I don't know how to post a link. How to make windows is one of their pages. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 16, 2007 Share Posted October 16, 2007 Since the windows in the Laurel I just rehabbed were destroyed with hot glue, I had to make new ones. I made basic casement windows, with only one in the bedroom working (hinged on one edge). I made exterior and interior trims for the window openings from stripwood for the non-working windows and used transparency sheets for all the "panes". For the working casement I made a second set of interior & exterior frames to fit inside the window opening. I used narrow strips of chamois for hinges, sandwiching them between the pieces of frame & trim. For nonworking sash windows you can cut down craftsticks thin enough for the mullions. I was very frustrated with the lack of interior trim for the Buttercup and ended up making my own for the last two I built. We will enjoy seeing pictures of yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Posted October 16, 2007 Author Share Posted October 16, 2007 So will I, lol Thnks bunches Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hallowell Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I built the windows in my very first house but since that was many, many years ago the house needed a rehab and the windows were replaced. But I do remember how enjoyable it was to make them. Here's the link to Northeastern. http://www.northeasternscalelumber.com/index.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 I checked out the link but was thinking of a simpler design, like a modern single casement window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Now THAT's my kind of thinking! But thanks for the reminder, Greg, 'cause I keep thinking when I build the Willowcrest and the Lily I might want (gulp) working windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaci Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 i'm not using the plastic windows that came with my jefferson, so if anyone would like them just pay for the shipping and they are yours! i've also discarded the shingles and siding...again free if you want them, it would only be a few dollars to ship them. thanks for the northeastern link! we don't have any miniatures stores around here anymore so i can only shop online. i'm always happy to find a new site! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 Every doll house deserves working windows. And while plastic allows finer detail I don't use plastic in my doll houses not even plexiglass. We each have our own style of building. I purchased various sizes of basswood from the local Michael's and since it is raining the yard work will be put on hold (oh, darn) and I'll be working on windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Non-yardworking weather is one of many perfect excuses to mini! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 It's not an excuse if it's fact, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Non-yardworking weather is one of many perfect excuses to mini! How true!!! SO I had my mind set for an afternoon indoors this morning when going to work as it was raining, perhaps not cats and dogs but atleast a heavy downpour, and guess what now when I am home again it is not rainig the least bit, the sun is even trying to show itself ... SO perhaps aquick round in the garden to see if there is something that needs my immediate attention or if I can hold of til the weekend and get some mini-ing done??? And as for the widows, they can be as simple or as ornated as your own imagination wants them to be, and depending on what material you find to work with... Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do! Hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 I work from my own home and this is my down time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I work from my own home and this is my down time. Ahhh, well over here it is almost 4 pm and I am home from school again after one of those "rainy" days, not a good day to be a teacher LOL as the kids aren't outdoors in the extent they usually are which gives bad temper, tired little ones etc etc in the afternoons... Hugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evervescent Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I'm also making my own windows right now and I'm looking for tips on how to do the mullions. Do you think its best to cut many small (like 1 inch) pieces of strip wood and butt them up against each other to form the grid. Or, is it best to cut out longer (like 3 inch) pieces of strip wood and notch them out where they cross to form the grid. Does this make sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 I think I'd make the horizontal strips the width of the window and cut smaller pieces to glue in for the horizontal bits. And I'd definitely set up a jig of some kind -- straight pins in Styrofoam? -- to keep them squared up while the glue dries. (Note: when I first typed this, I suggested making the vertical strips in one piece, but then I got to thinking that maybe the eye will notice irregularities in the horizontal lines more quickly than the vertical lines. But I guess either one would work.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 When working in 1:12th scale there is a much smaller margin for error. The eye would pick it up even faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 Or, is it best to cut out longer (like 3 inch) pieces of strip wood and notch them out where they cross to form the grid.Depends, Andrea, on whether these be working sash windows, the notched mullions might be a wee bit sturdier (ooo, I do apologize, I had no intention of punning!). You would need to be very exact in your measurements & cuts, as Linda pointed out, and you could use your window frames for the jigs for the mullions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 This from someone who is yet to make a window but I would think the more pieces you have to assemble the more likely something is to be out of alignment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted October 17, 2007 Share Posted October 17, 2007 This from someone who is yet to make a window but I would think the more pieces you have to assemble the more likely something is to be out of alignment. That makes sense. I'm wondering how hard it would be to make tidy notches without chopping the little bits into smaller bits. Good luck and sure fingers to all of the window carpenters! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Posted October 17, 2007 Author Share Posted October 17, 2007 That makes sense. I'm wondering how hard it would be to make tidy notches without chopping the little bits into smaller bits. Good luck and sure fingers to all of the window carpenters! Resisting the urge to chop little bits into smaller bits is always a challenge in miniature woodworking, especially when it does not go the way it is supposed to, lol Actually, I have made ONE window. It wasn't bad for a first try. I have assembled windows from a Dura Craft kit but that isn't the same as making them from scratch, or without scratches, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted October 18, 2007 Share Posted October 18, 2007 That makes sense. I'm wondering how hard it would be to make tidy notches without chopping the little bits into smaller bits. Good luck and sure fingers to all of the window carpenters! I had really good luck using a gouge from my mini woodcarving set to cut grooves in the tongue-blade sized craft sticks for the craft stick shelves in Maggie's bookcases. I would expect with careful measuring & a jig the window paned could be done. Besides, it would be fun to give it a try, if they turn out well they can be posted and bragged on, and if they son't, who will ever know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friendly Posted October 19, 2007 Author Share Posted October 19, 2007 You would, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfie Posted October 19, 2007 Share Posted October 19, 2007 I have a little booklet on how to make windows, doors, staircases from scratch, including the trim around them. If you would like a copy of it, let me know. Wolfie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inkdigger Posted April 10, 2014 Share Posted April 10, 2014 I have a little booklet on how to make windows, doors, staircases from scratch, including the trim around them. If you would like a copy of it, let me know. Wolfie Do you still have that book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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