How to Build Staircases for Dollhouses
Dollhouses are wonderful gifts for little girls. You can make these miniature homes from prefabricated kits, or build it from scratch. Although you can buy a staircase for your dollhouse from various suppliers, it is possible to build your own. Making a staircase for your dollhouse is not a difficult task, provided you have the necessary tools and allow the glue to cure or dry correctly.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 14-inch-by-2 3/4-inch-by-1/8-inch balsa wood
- Steel ruler
- Sharp knife
- 38 1/2-inch-by-1/2-inch-by-3/4-inch triangular molding
- Mini saw
- 42-inch-by-7/8-inch-by-1/16-inch wood
- Sandpaper
- Wood glue
- 30-inch-by-1-inch-by-1/8-inch wood
- Masking tape (optional)
- 3 1/2-inch-by-3/8-inch-by-3/8-inch wood
- Miter box
- Mini saw
- 14-inch-by-1/4-inch-by-1/4-inch wood
- 42-inch-by-1/8-inch-by-1/8-inch wood
- 28-inch-by-1/16-inch-by-1/16-inch wood
Instructions
-
-
1
Use the mini saw to cut the triangular molding into 14, 2 3/4-inch long pieces. Ensure that all the pieces are exactly the same length. Glue them onto the balsa wood to form the steps.
-
2
Cut the 7/8-inch wide wood into 14, 2 3/4-inch lengths to create the stair treads. Remove any tiny extra pieces with the sandpaper.
-
-
3
Glue the stair treads to the base of the steps.
-
4
Cut the 1-inch wide wood into two 15-inch pieces for the stringers. Line up the top edge of your first stringer with the top corner of the stairs and glue the stringer in place. The stringer will go against the wall of the dollhouse.
-
5
Glue the second stringer to the outside of the stairs. Line up the top of the stringer with the bottom corners of the steps. Glue the stringer in place and secure with a thin strip of masking tape, if necessary. Leave the glue to set overnight.
-
6
Use the 3/8-inch-by-3/8-inch-by-3-inch piece of wood to make the newel post. Place the piece of wood into the miter box and use the mini saw to cut a 1/16-inch deep groove into the wood, in the position of your choice. Make a number of cuts, as you see fit for the design you prefer. Use sandpaper to round the top.
-
7
Glue the newel post on the bottom step at a 90-degree angle.
-
8
Glue on the 14-inch long piece of 1/16-inch-by-1/16-inch piece of wood along the bottom of the railing on the edge.
-
9
Cut six spindles from the 1/8-inch-by-1/8-inch balsa for the stair spindles. Ensure they are glued against the stair thread at a 90-degree angle. Leave the glue to dry for a day.
-
10
Cut the 28-inch length of 1/16-inch-by-1/16-inch wood to make the railing. Glue the railing to the newel post and to the top of the spindles and to the newel post.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Martin Poole/Lifesize/Getty Images
