andrea_burgess Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 I don't really have a question about the house, more just a sad rant. I purchased a Newberg in the box (opened, but all there) off Ebay a few months ago. I just started working on it today and it is BRITTLE!! I love the look of the house so I am still working on it, but it's just a little disheartening that I hear it crack and snap all the time. We'll see how it goes...otherwise it will be used for parts on another house down the road. Back to work, wish me luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_the_haunted Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Oh nooooooo! That's so dissapointing girl! Have you tried to seal the wood before taking the pieces apart? I don't know, since I have not tried it but I wonder if that might help (?) I think several people here have sealed their wood 1st with good results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrea_burgess Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 That's a good idea, Monica, thanks! I'll give it a try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynette Smith Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 I got a Newberg back around February. Although I don't plan to build soon, I removed some scrap wood from around the large pieces and used portions on my Spring Fling. I noticed its brittle nature at once. Earlier this month, I acquired a Linfield with some missing parts (the sheet blanks are there, between its similarity to the Newberg and the blanks, I'm confidant I can make replacements). The Linfield doesn't feel near as delicate as the Newberg. I thought I'd have the Newberg and Linfield be neighbors as the Smith and Jones, with the Smith's keeping up with the Joness. I thought about flipping the Newberg to give a little more differentiation between the two, but because of the quality of the wood, it will be the Linfield which gets flipped. Don't give up on your Newberg! If you need any tracing off of parts becoming irreperable damaged to make replacements, just let me know. I'd be happy to help. Also, using the cutting wheel on a rotary tool from the back of the piece will help. They can be picked up cheeply at Harbor Freight, mine cost about $6 and I'd never give it up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrea_burgess Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 I got a Newberg back around February. Although I don't plan to build soon, I removed some scrap wood from around the large pieces and used portions on my Spring Fling. I noticed its brittle nature at once. Earlier this month, I acquired a Linfield with some missing parts (the sheet blanks are there, between its similarity to the Newberg and the blanks, I'm confidant I can make replacements). The Linfield doesn't feel near as delicate as the Newberg. I thought I'd have the Newberg and Linfield be neighbors as the Smith and Jones, with the Smith's keeping up with the Joness. I thought about flipping the Newberg to give a little more differentiation between the two, but because of the quality of the wood, it will be the Linfield which gets flipped. Don't give up on your Newberg! If you need any tracing off of parts becoming irreperable damaged to make replacements, just let me know. I'd be happy to help. Also, using the cutting wheel on a rotary tool from the back of the piece will help. They can be picked up cheeply at Harbor Freight, mine cost about $6 and I'd never give it up! First of all, I LOVE your idea. You should definitely go with it. I have a rotary tool, I will try that. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 PLEASE! be VERY careful using any cutting wheel with any rotary tool, because if you're not the wheel can a ) shatter (eyeballs & other body parts don't like flying bits of hot cutting wheel) or b ) hang up in the wood you're trying to cut and something could overheat or c ) you'll hit something in the wood that could cause the rotary tool to kick back and the cutting wheel might wind up cutting substances other than wood. I prefer using a saw for any cutting that needs doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrea_burgess Posted May 30, 2009 Author Share Posted May 30, 2009 That's for the warning, Holly. It seems the bigger pieces are popping out fine, just the smaller ones that are having the problem. So far only one splinter so I'm calling it a good day so far! Thanks again everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesterfieldzoo Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 Too bad wood can't be given a bath in handcream to make it soft and supple.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrea_burgess Posted May 30, 2009 Author Share Posted May 30, 2009 Thought I would update, for the past solid 6 hours I have been working with this house. Sanding and assembling. First of all, can I say...WOW what a difference is assembly from Greenleaf! I have the support floor and main floor assembled along with all the exterior walls. It has huge potential and my snaps and crackles from early seem to have been okay with my mending. Now that the shell is mostly assembled all I am seeing is the house I grew up in. So that's what it will become: an early 1900's Victorian Farmhouse. It will be white with green trim and a green porch, I may even extend the porch to wrap around a little more. I loved that house and we had to sell due to unforeseen circumstances with the previous owner, so this will be a nice tribute. Okay I'm off to update my gallery, nothing exciting to note yet, just a lot of masking tape and wood! Thank you everyone for your help. Have a great weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 THANK YOU! for posting building pictures, I also have that kit NIB I haven't gotten to yet and I shall certainly follow your build in your album! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrea_burgess Posted May 30, 2009 Author Share Posted May 30, 2009 I'm glad I could help. Just know that I didn't follow the instructions exactly, they suggest you build all the window frames and such before installing the walls, but I didn't like that. I'll continue to post pictures of my build. Have a great day, Holly, and everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfie Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 The wood is brittle because DuraCraft has been out of business for many many years now. Try soaking the pieces in water, then let dry under weights, and you should notice a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantail Posted May 30, 2009 Share Posted May 30, 2009 I just started working on an orchid I bought recently. What gets me is there are sheets of wood that are beautiful and then there are sheets that are extremely brittle. They are even different colors. I am really stumpified (that is stupified and stumped together) by this . I did discover on small pieces that are intricate, I used my scroll saw to get next to edges and say cut it out in a square and then stubborn pieces would kinda fall away. I am really putting my spackle to use here. I definately want to try one of the laser cut Tennysons, put talk about spoiling!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kellee Posted June 16, 2009 Share Posted June 16, 2009 I have a Franklin that is built but is in need of a total rehab.. it is very brittle as well.. It kreeks and cracks at every move.. as well, as the Pierce.. it is very brittle as well... I just recently acquired a newburg, havent had a chance to pull it out of the box yet so dont know the condition yet.!! Kellee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 Sealer and primer and stain will help stabilize brittle wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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