macduff Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Does anyone have any tips on cutting shingles to fit around dormers and gable roofs? I've been eyeballing the angles and it's very frustrating having to keep cutting away until I get the angle right. I was thinking there must be a way to make a template, but I don't know how, and am hoping some of you on the forum will have some clever tips!!! Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 You could use a piece of typing/copy paper or other soft paper, like tissue or newsprint. Cut it roughly to shape and then press it into the angles to get the exact size/shape of the section you're working on. Personally, I just eyeball it and clip. After a few rows, it seems to flow pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TinyMinis Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 I just finished a 144th scale dollhouse...talk about SMALL shingles! I swore I would never follow the instructions for making that house again...they said to put the dormers on, THEN the shingles. NOT! Next time I'm putting the shingles on before the dormers! Kathie is right tho...with a little practice you'll be able to "eyeball" it and do the cuts just right the first time (or maybe the second ). Another way to do it, which takes some planning ahead, is to make a template of the roof before you put the dormers/gable roofs on. Then you can pretty much use the template to cut the angles - but they'll still have to be trimmed a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherry Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Go to this link, it has an excellent set of instructions on cutting angles. I used his directions to do the farmhouse, and it wasn't too bad! http://gr123.powweb.com/Dollhouse%20Worksh...album&id=29 my roof: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macduff Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Thanks all for the tips! Sherry, thanks for the link - it never occurred to me to start with the angled shingle and work out from there. I will try that! It looks like a much easier way to go than trying to cut all different little angled pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherry Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 It really is, and if you do all of them at the beginning, the rest of the shingling goes much faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butlerestates Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 plus cutting with an easy cutter makes getting those angles right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corwin Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Yup an easy cuter is a verry valuable tool. Thanks for the link btw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debra from Olde Cape Cod Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Do the angled pieces first! Duh! Why didn't I ever think of that! The old dog learns another new trick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxxie Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 Boy that is the best tip! I had no idea you start there. I started on the left lower side and kept going until I got to the gable and wham...I had no idea what to do and made a mess of it! lol I saved that terrific pic of your roof Sherry! It may save me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherry Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 I didn't use the easy-cutter with this. All of the shingles on one side are the same degree of angle. So you get one exactly right and then use it as a pattern to cut all the rest. Very little actual measuring to do, just establish the angle for each portion of the roof and cut the template, then all you have to do is cut and glue them on! And if you read his whole tutorial, he shows you how to cut them with a pair of scissors so that they don't split. It goes really quickly that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shy Spirit Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Thanks for that link, Sherry. I'd never have thought of doing it that way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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