Time for some paint
Having left the completed sides in the cupboard for a couple of weeks to stabilise, it was time to add some primer and undercoat. That meant that both sides had to take the trip back down the stairs, through the back door and out into the garden, only to come back again. I suppose I […]
Checking the fit
After cutting all the pieces for the sides, it was time for a test assembly, or dry fit as I believe they call it in the trade. Each side consisted of two stiles, front and back, plus five stretchers, one for each of the shelves.
Starting on the sides
After thinking about this project for long enough, the summer allowed one continuous weekend without precipitation and all excuses for procrastination had been used up.
Green On Top
A quick trip to Homebase on Monday evening netted me a ¾L pot of Holly Gloss. Late this afternoon, Erik and I applied it to the tops of the four boards.
White Underneath
As the sun was setting, and having found some Polycell Crack-free Ceilings paint in the back of the shed, the undersides of the boards were painted white, not only to seal them including the softwood but also to make seeing stuff underneath, like wiring, that much easier.
Routing Edges
Having acquired a router and bits from Pop, it was used to round over the edges of all the soft wood. This being the first time I’ve used a router, it was surprisingly easy.
Sealing the MDF
Pop (Grandad) sent up a half-used tin of MDF sealant for Erik to use on the baseboards of his model railway, so we did. He was careful not to get it on the soft wood, as this would need to be painted later.
Making Baseboards
With the help of Uncle Brian, Erik measured up the boards to mark out the positions of the longitudinal rails before drilling and countersinking the holes, then gluing and screwing the wood into position.
Buying Materials
Whilst Erik was at school, I nipped out to Dunwoody’s in Caterham to purchase the wood for his layout. Having deliberated, it was agreed on 4′ x 2′ boards, which can be conveniently cut from a single 8′ x 4′ sheet of board, plus 2″ x 1″ soft wood is generally better from timber merchants […]