How to Glue Miniature Stairs
The task of gluing miniature stairs together in a dollhouse requires little effort on your part. It is an exercise in waiting for glue to dry. You can use traditional wood glue or a fast-drying glue product. Many dollhouse enthusiasts prefer the product with a longer drying time, because it allows you more time to adjust a piece if you decide you need to shift one. Since glue requires hours to dry, many builders break this process into incremental steps spread over several days.
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Things You'll Need
- Finished stairs and staircase components
- Wood glue or dollhouse glue
- Plastic wrap or masking tape
- Clothespins
Instructions
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1
Glue all of the steps onto the long, straight staircase foundation. Apply a thin strip of glue to the back edge of each stair. Press the stair in place. Hold it in place for five seconds. Allow the stairs to dry overnight.
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2
Affix one of the stringers -- the narrow band of wood that runs alongside the steps -- framing the staircase on the side. Apply a narrow line of glue along the side of the foundation. Line up the top corner of the stringer with the top corner of the foundation. Press the wood into place. Apply plastic wrap or masking tape around the pieces to hold them in place as they dry. Allow the stringer to dry overnight.
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3
Unwrap the staircase. Apply any brackets that belong on the underside of the foundation, against the stringer. Apply the second stringer to the side opposite the stringer already in tact. Repeat the gluing and wrapping procedure. Allow the stringer to dry overnight.
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4
Unwrap the staircase. Glue the vertical post that extends up from the outer corner of the bottom step. Apply a small peppercorn-sized bead of glue to the bottom of the post. Press the wood into place. Allow the post to dry overnight.
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5
Glue some of the narrow vertical spindles that support the rail on the outside of the staircase. Apply them the same way you applied the post. Attach the spindles in batches, to avoid knocking an unset spindle over while you position another. Apply four at a time. Allow the glue to dry overnight. Repeat the process until all of the spindles are on the staircase.
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6
Apply a peppercorn-sized dot of glue to the top of the post and all the spindles. Lay the rail so that it rests on each spindle top evenly. Clip three or four clothespins on where the rail and a spindle meet. Use the slip to bracket both pieces and hold them in place. Allow the rail to dry overnight.
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