*** Update November 2017 ***
Please note, the parts numbering has changed from what is shown in the steps below. While the steps shown below remain the same, we have updated the numbering to make it a bit easier to assemble. Please visit this link to see the information on the updated parts numbering.
*** End Of Update ***
Advent House Plans has recently completed a remodel of the Mansion Style Advent House and this post is to show you, step-by-step, how to build the main structure of the Advent House from the new model, parts and pieces.
You’ll need a number of tools to build this Advent House Structure as shown in these images. Here is the intitial list:
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- Super Thin CA Glue (Hobby/RC Airplane shop)
- Extra Thick CA Glue (Hobby/RC Airplane shop)
- X-Acto Knife
- Sharpened Pencil
- Optional: Dremel Tool with a 618 Chamfer Bit
- Paper Towels (for clean up)
- Sandpaper (100-200 grit) or a dremel tool with sanding drum(s)
- Wax Paper/plastic to protect surrounding areas from the CA Glue.
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So – let’s get started on this new model:
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Labeling the 1/4" Material Blocks
Start by labeling each of the parts and pieces in the 1/4" thick MDF blocks. Use the included printed sheets to reference for the part names/numbers.
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Each Piece is Labeled
You can see in this picture that each piece (on this particular block) is hand labeled with a pencil. This prevents us from cutting out all the pieces and then forgetting which piece is which and where it is supposed to go. Label every part from the 1/4" MDF Material.
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Prep for Cutting
For this demo, we are using the Dremel with a 618 Chamfer Bit to cut out all of our parts. This is much faster, cleaner and less prone to accidental slip-scratches. From the back side of each block/part, punch a small hole through the 'Onion Skin'. The 618 Chamfer Bit is not a plunge bit so it won't push through the onion skin. Punch a hole through each block that will need Dremel Access.
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Cutting the 'Waste'
To use the Dremel Method, place each block face-down onto a solid and flat piece of material. I used another piece of MDF, but a large metal piece would also work. Keep in mind that The very tip of the Chamfer bit will be spinning rapidly on the base material and does tend to heat up. So don't use a plastic or other melting material.
Now with the material face-down on a base piece, insert the Dremel Chamfer bit into one of the holes you punched through the Onion Skin. By simply running the Dremel around each piece, you will get a clean cut of every part. The dremel tool is exactly the correct length to be pressed down on the base peice and even cut the top edge of the parts you want to keep. You may get a tiny chamfered edge, but that's OK and actually comes in handy later.
** Be careful and take safety precautions such as mouth and eye protection. ** Have a vacuum on hand for all the dust and cleanup.
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Roof Pieces Prepped
Here you can see I have the Roof pieces all cut out and cleaned up.
** This seems like a good place to note the orientation of parts. For most of the parts, you can only put them together one way. The roof pieces are NOT like that. Please note that the window openings are to be nearer the top of the pieces, and that the angle cut on the tops and bottoms of the parts are to be oriented to provide gluing area. In other words, the angled top and bottom edges will actually end up being horizontal (Because the roof pieces all slope backwards).
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Cutting Parts
Here you can see several of the pieces as they are being routered out of their respective blocks.
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All Parts Cutout and Ready
I spend about 1 hour cutting out all of these pieces. That's from opening the box to being ready to start assembly.
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- – WARNING – - Now seems like a good time to make a point of the caution needed while using CA glue. In case you are interested, you can read more about CA glue online, but in short, CA glue is a fast acting and powerful glue used in many different applications. I was introduced to CA Glue when I got into RC Model Airplanes. I found that CA Glue is particularly useful in bonding MDF due to how smooth and dense the material is. However, at the same time, CA Glue can be dangerous. Be very careful not to get it on your skin – it can take days to wear off, and please, please, please don’t get this in your eyes. Safety goggles aren’t a bad idea here. Lastly, once this stuff drys/cures – it’s solid and trying to separate 2 pieces of MDF once it is glued will almost always result in broken MDF and not a broken glue bond. So please be sure you know where the piece is going before you glue it down. ok? – ok, enough of that.
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Prep for Assembly
These next two images show the solid and super flat base piece I'm putting under the plastic covering. This is just a piece of Pressboard that I had laying around. It's lots flatter than the plastic table I work on. Be sure to use some sort of covering (Wax paper, plastic, etc) because CA Glue WILL get on it.
Once you have a good solid base, we're ready to start assembly.
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Back Pieces
Lay out the back pieces, BK1 through BK6 as shown. The tab system should allow you to only lay these out one way. In this image, the bottom three parts is actually the top back piece, and the top assembled parts in this image is actually the bottom back part. You'll see this when we assemble to the floor.
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Glue Edges
Apply the 'Extra Thick' CA Glue to all of the inside edges (First Image) and press together. Keeping the assembled parts flat on the good base you are using, hold them for just about 20-30 seconds. Then let them sit for another 45-60 seconds (Second Picture). Now use the Ultra Thin CA Glue (Be Careful!), run a line of glue along the seems (Third Picture). This ultra thin glue will work down into the seem to give you an even stronger bond.
In the unlikely event of a seem not being perfect, you can go back to the extra thick and help 'full the gaps'.
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Flip and Glue Again
After letting the Thin CA dry a little, flip the parts over and run the thin glue on the backsides as well.
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Assemble the Other Flat Pieces
Assemble the 3 Floor Pieces (F1-F3), as shown in Picture 1
Assemble the 3 Roof Pieces (RF1-RF3), as shown in Picture 2
Assemble the Atrium Back (ABK1 & ABK2), as shown in Picture 3
Follow the same gluing steps as above, starting with the Extra Thick, then following up with the Ultra Thin. Allow these all to dry well before moving (Maybe 2-3 minutes each)
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Let's Put up some Walls
Glue the Bottom Back Wall Assembly to the Floor Assembly as shown. Following the same gluing pattern as before.
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Attach Wall 1 (W1)
Attach W1 to the floor and bottom back piece. The Tab system should prevent you from assembling it in the wrong place or wrong direction, but just be sure it looks right (Edges line up, etc).
** Please Note ** - Walls 2&6 need to be double checked for proper orientation prior to gluing. Check the tab system to ensure things line up properly. If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us.
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Continue with Walls
This image shows walls 1-4 are all attached and glued in. In this image I have not yet come back with the Ultra Thin Glue. I'll do this in the next step.
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Inside of Walls
This image shows where I have started to apply the Ultra Thin CA Glue to strengthen the wall/floor connections.
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All Walls Up
Now all the walls are assembled and glued in.
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IMPORTANT:
The assembly of the Soffits must be done in a specific order. Please follow these steps carefully.
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Soffit Assembly
Assemble the Front 3 Soffits (Parts S3,S4 & S5) as shown here. Follow the same gluing pattern as before (the thin glue is not yet done in this image)
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Install Soffits (S2 & S6)
These are the next two parts to install. (Note the orientation of the tab/grooves) Glue the same as before, but hold off on the thin glue until all Soffit parts are in.
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Install Soffits (S1 & S7)
Install these end pieces next. Note the 'Tongue' on S1 fits in nicely with S2.
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Install Center Soffits
Now the assembled front 3 Soffit pieces should slide nicely into place. Once you verify fit, remove, glue and assemble.
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Upper Back Wall
Using the tabs, align the Upper Back Assembly into place. Verify fit and glue into place.
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Prep the Flat Roof
The Larger Bracing Piece (RB2) goes into the two slots in the center Flat Roof. This part will slide in from what will become the bottom of the flat roof. See the next step.
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Install Center Bracing
Using the tabs, Install and Glue the Center Bracing Piece. Once this is glued, make note that the roof piece is now laying top-down on the table. Or in other words, the Bracing Piece will be on the bottom of the flat roof piece, once it is installed on the Advent House.
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Align Side Bracing - DO NOT GLUE YET
Test fit the two side bracing pieces. Note the Angled edge goes to the OUTSIDE edge of the Roof. This is the angle that the the Roof Piece #1 will glue to for additional bracing support.
Install the Roof
Start with the Roof Piece (R1), which has a tab/slot for alignment with the Upper Back Assembly. Ensure the Bottom front edge of R1 is aligned with the front edge of Soffit S1, and glue into place.
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Continue with the Roof
This image shows the Flat Roof Piece in place (NOT GLUED) to help with support during gluing of the roof pieces. You can see the Bracing Piece (RB2) in place onthe Flat Roof Assembly, and the Roof R2 is leaning up next to it.
Glue R2 into place WITHOUT gluing to the roof OR the bracing.
Use Outside Bracing (NOT GLUED)
The outside Bracing Pieces (NOT GLUED YET) also help to align and support the roof pieces during installation.
All Roof Pieces Installed
Install the Front 3 Roof Pieces as well. Do the full Glue up Process.
Glue in Flat Roof
Next step is to glue in the flat roof piece assembly (still WITHOUT the 2 side bracing pieces). The flat Roof aligns with the tabs/slots on the upper back assembly, and sits atop the 7 angled Roof Pieces. Lots of glue and maybe an extra set of hands will help hold this in place and ensure a good gluing connection.
NOW We glue in the 2 Side Braces
Using the same gluing process, glue up the 2 side brace pieces. Make note again - the angled edge of the bracing pieces is to be glued to the backside of R1 (on the left) and R7 (on the right). Once glued up, reach inside and slide the bracing tab up into the open slit on each end of the Flat Roof. Slide the Bracing piece up tight against the R1 & R7 pieces.
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Final Thin CA Gluing
This is the location of the tab where the side braces come up through the flat roof. At this point, go wild with the Thin CA Glue and re-glue all connections, just to provide a solid assembly.
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Structure Complete!
And that's the Structure!
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Concrete Bases
I now glue the bases into place. I will use plastic masking to spray these separate from the hosue, but it's easier to do than painting and install each piece later. Start with B2 & B6. Then install B3 and B5, then B1 & B7. Lastly, install B4 (the very front). Save B8 for later installation, right near the end of the project.
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1/4" MDF DONE!
And it's finished! You may have some drips of glue, like I do, but that's OK because that's all going to be covered by texture, paint, and exterior finishes.
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1/4" MDF DONE!
1/4" MDF DONE!
And it's finished! You may have some drips of glue, like I do, but that's OK because that's all going to be covered by texture, paint, and exterior finishes.
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1/4" MDF DONE!
Congratulations on finishing the Structure portion of your Christmas Advent House.
For reference, I spent a total of about 2 hours to complete this. From taking it out of the box to this picture takes 2 hour of work if you buckle down and focus.
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Next Steps
Next Steps
If you haven't already, get moving on the Atrium, the Tower, and/or the Windows. Watch this blog for an update to the Illustrated Window build as well, coming soon.
Questions? Comments? Feel free to contact me.
