Introduction: Cabin in a Mint Tin, Six Steps

Every one should have a chance to own a vacation cabin. Here is one anyone can afford. It is very easy to make, inexpensive, and can be built with most any size laser. They make a great craft fare projects

Step 1: Cut Pieces

This cabin is made from a piece of 1/8" x 5" x 5" MDF. I got a full sheet for less than $20 and was able to cut out 162 blanks at a cost of about a dime each. Load the included SVG file into your laser and cut out the pattern. 

Step 2: Addition Material

You can use an empty mint tin. I bought new ones from Amazon for about 60 cents each:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HF23W4P?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

The instructions are included. There are two copies to a page. Cut them in half.

I also include a small piece of sand paper (5.5" by 1") to allow the new owner to clean the laser burn if they want to color the pieces. (They color really well with markers.)

Step 3: Assemble Chimney

Take the three chimney pieces and glue them together. Use white glue or super glue.

Step 4: Start Assembly

I believe the instructions give enough information to assemble the cabin. But I am including a visual help for those that might need it.

Start with placing the front an back plates and stack on left and right side pieces.

Add a small in the middle of the front plate add place the window sill. Add a small piece in the front left space.. Place left and right side pieces. Them add a small piece on the remaining space on the sill.

Step 5: Continue Assembly

The next two rows are the same. A long back piece, two side pieces, three small pieces. Some other small pieces are used to connect rows together.

Now add the front header and a back long piece. Add the gables on the side.

Step 6: Finish Assembly and Pack

Add the roof slats to the top, three on a side. The gables have tabs to hold to roof in place

Now the it is built you can disassemble and place in the tin. Be sure to count the pieces as they go into the box. This cabin requires 11 small pieces and the pattern makes way more than that. This id because they are very small and they tend to occasionally fall through the laser grate. My solution was to print more than you need. You can add extras in when packing the box. I like to place the extra small pieces in a little plastic bag all keep them out of the box. Many people get upset with extra pieces and try to figure out just what they did wrong.

Step 7: Copy-write

This is my design but I allow others to use with the following conditions.

If you are making these as gifts and not for sale, please use this pattern with my blessing.

If you are selling them I ask that you donate 10% of the price to your local food bank. I have not way of checking that but I trust you.

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