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Instructions for Kit #71K
Assembly Notes:
A large, clutter-free, well-lighted work area is helpful dur-
ing assembly, but a flat work surface is essential.
Read the instructions carefully; look at each of the il-
lustrations. !With the parts in your hands!, think the
assembly through before you proceed.
Test fit each time you are ready to glue a piece in
place...then you'll know you have it right.
If more tape or a helper is needed, it's good to know
that before the parts have glue on them.
Don't be stingy with glue or tape; use generous amounts.
Always wipe off excess glue immediately.
Keep one damp rag and one dry rag handy all the time.
Have weights available for holding things tight as glue
joints dry (stacks of books, gallons of pure Vermont
Maple Syrup - anything heavy)
Glue the body of your dollhouse together with white,
water clean-up glue that dries clear. Do not use instant-
bond (super glue), fast-tack, rubber cement, silicone, or
hot melt glues. They are all used in some wood appli-
cations, but they all have some characteristic that makes
them un-desirable for the body of your dollhouse.
Carpenter Glue works well, but glue-smear dries yel-
low or tan; many of the things you glue onto the house
are pre-painted – extra glue will show. I use Aleene's
Tacky Glue® for all house body assembly.
Make sure everything is straight and flat as glue dries...
That's the shape that will be permanent.
Glue the shingles on with glue that doesn't have any
water in it! If the glue says "water clean-up", it will curl
the wooden shingles. Look carefully at the glue you in-
tend to use to be sure it is solvent-based, or use hot-melt
glue (and watch out for the burns). I use Liquid Nails
#LN-601® glue which comes in a caulking-gun tube
at the hardware or building supply store (note – Liquid
Nails® also makes #990 which is "water clean-up" and
will curl the shingles). Check ingredients and warnings.
Solvent-based glues say "Caution, Flammable" on the
front.
If you Wallpaper, use "Border" paste (for wallpaper
borders), "Grandma Stover's" (YES!), or Mucilage.
Brush paste on the wallpaper, then the wall, and finally
smooth the wallpaper into position.
When glue is drying, skip ahead to up-coming assem-
bly steps and prepare the parts that will be used.
OnLine Support: There are many photos of this
house under construction as well as tips, techniques,
and extra help with your dollhouse project at:
www.dhbuilder.com
Assembly Notes /Getting Started (A) page 4
A: Getting Started: Do these things before the house assembly
Square the corners of the window, door, and stair holes with
a utility knife - each cutout has a rounded corner left over
from the tool that made it. Make two cuts in each corner from
the outside (one from each direction), then cut from each
direction on the inside to cut away the rounding in the corner
so the window, door, or stairs will fit.
Stain the Shingles: Our pro uses Real Good Toys' Shingle
Dye (available through your Real Good Toys miniature
dealer) when dying the shingles for this house. Batch dye or
stain the shingles several days ahead of time so they will be
dry when the time comes to use them (instructions are with
the shingle dye).
Flooring: Applied sheet flooring, tile, or carpet should be
installed in the completed dollhouse, but scoring and staining
a plywood floor should be done now.
www.dollhouseworkshop.net/floorfinish
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