Scale model house

In this instructable I will show you how to build a 1/64 scale model house. the way you cut the craft sticks determines how the house will look, I used wire cutters because thats all I had to cut it with so its crooked in some places.

What you will need:

wood glue
750+ craft sticks
foam board
cutting tool
patience

Step 1: Draw Plans

First you need to draw the plans on paper then scale it up to the foam board. I used 1 inch = 2 feet.

Step 2: First floor

After you have the floor plan drawn out on the foam board you can start making the walls for the first floor. I spaced the studs 1/2" apart and made the windows/doors 1" wide.

Step 3: Floor beams/Stairs

Once all the walls are up for the first floor you can put in the floor beams that hold the floor of the second story up. You can also put the stairs in at this point which a made in a zig zag pattern.

Step 4: Second Story

Now you get to repeat the process with the second floor. Before you get to many walls up you need to put the sub floor in.

Step 5: Roof 1

After you get the walls up you can make the roof.I started with the garage.

Step 6: Roof 2

Now we need a roof over the main house. I started with the roof trusses, I had to make a dozen of these to be able to put a decent roof on. If you need a reference look in your attic.

Step 7: Roof sheating

I didn't do this very well cause of the trusses underneath being uneven cause of being cut with pliers but it turned out pretty good.

Step 8: Final thoughts

All in all it was a good project that took a few days to build. It would have turned out better if I could find my dremel and if it had bits. For using wire cutters it turn out bad but now I have a cramp in my hand.

Comments

[heathbar64]

Very cool! I've always meant to do something like this, but haven't got around to it yet. I wanted to build from an actual set of blueprints and cut the different lumber to scale sizes etc. Maybe you have given me the bump to get started.

[tommy8847]

Hi there,
Great project!
I find the scales when it comes to sourcing accessories for the build is the difficult bit! Peoples scales are different... What i mean is... for example....
Yours is 1/34 scale but your doors are 1" wide making them 34" wide in real terms when they would usually be 30" as standard ( 1/30)
haha.
As a complete novice... I started off buying a 1/12 model car (die cast) then realised..... the garage and house are going to be around 4 foot wide in total! haha. The model would take up most of my spare room... and I would'nt be able to get it through any doors! haha.

1/34 is the way to go... Good luck mate!

[the poodleo]

can this be converted to 72th scale use? because im making a diorama with ww2 troops, in africa, and it would be helful, because i could make it into ruins.

[sco_oter]

Sure you can, you just have to convert feet to inches. This house is in 1/16 scale where 1 inch = 16 inches.

[qolque]

I'm a little turned about by all the different scales mentioned! If one inch is 2 feet (as the first page says), that is 1:24 scale. Most house blueprints that I have built are 1:48 scale, or 1/4" = 1 foot. I just wish I could find a 1:48 model of a Toyota truck that had the doors swing open, so I could see if the garage I designed is big enough!

[the poodleo]

okay. thanks for the help.

[zeldafan]

Cool how long did it take youo to bild the entire house?

[sco_oter]

3 days

[zeldafan]

thanks

[hegemann44]

you should post measurements

[Jon316]

Are you going to finish it like a real house or just leave it as a skeleton

[sco_oter]

I just left it as a skeleton. I tried to make a finished house out of a project just like this I did in school and it cost $200+ and that house was half the size.

[Jon316]

Amazing

[DAV706]

i bought a mini-sack of craft sticks that contains 800 peices of craft sticks. is that enough?

[sco_oter]

Depends on how big and detailed the model is.

[DAV706]

but i buy 200 more.is that enough for 1/34 scale?

[DAV706]

is making an elevator easier than making stairs?

[sco_oter]

yes they are but people usually dont put elevators in a suburban home.

[DAV706]

if i have two foam boards and the size is the same.can i use the one as background?

[sco_oter]

I don't care what you do its your project

[DAV706]

where can i buy the foam board?

[sco_oter]

walmart, hobby lobby, or any other craft supply store

[DAV706]

i can buy it on other bookstores that sell art materials?

[DAV706]

if my house is a 1/34 scale model,i need 1/34 scale model car when i will put it a car?

[sco_oter]

yes

[DAV706]

this is my craft sticks.colored and is it ok when it is colored but if glued the color will not be removed?

[sco_oter]

as long as the color is dry before you glue them it should be fine.

[DAV706]

i bought it the color is dry.

[DAV706]

which scale model is bigger? 1/64 or 1/34?

[sco_oter]

1/34 scale is bigger. The closer you get to 1/1 the bigger.

[DAV706]

can i use long popsicle stick if craft stick is not available?

[sco_oter]

sure as long as you cut them to the scale your using

[DAV706]

(removed by author or community request)

[sco_oter]

sometimes the sticks don't stick together and they keep falling down. Especially on the roof.

[DAV706]

cool.

[Criket]

(removed by author or community request)

[sco_oter]

I don't mean to be rude but ARE YOU BLIND!!! ITS THE BIG BOTTLE OF GLUE NEXT TO THE PLIERS!! why dont you look at ALL the pics before you comment.

[archer22]

Very cool! It caused me to recall an early model I designed and constructed in school a few years ago.

Well done! I know how much time and effort goes into such a project. When I made mine, I poured plaster for foundations, (modeling form work in a similar fashion as the framing -only to be discarded later:P ugh) as the foundation detail is quite integral to the design. -also for chimney and bath elements. I used acrylic for planar elements so that the framing could still be seen. a threaded rod, steps and dowel spacers drilled in a jig proved a tedious solution for making a spiral staircase, but it turned out well I think.

I put up some images on flicker, http://www.flickr.com/photos/54120330@N03/ a It would be cool to share some techniques and materials!

I think that project qualifies me for an OCD diagnoses however, and sadly the construction was not documented well... -was before I knew of Instructables.

[sco_oter]

Very nice house! I bet you put more time into that than I did mine. It took me 4 days to build this one.

[archer22]

bout 4 months off and on in the evenings I guess heheh 0_o.

a good trick is to build the walls and floors laying flat and then stand them up. -and if you have the ability to draft the floor plans and walls accurately and to scale, placing the plan under wax paper then building right on the lines that show through helps keep everything flat.

A little xacto saw and miter box (might need to make one for stuff that small), gives good angles and good surfaces for glue connections.

There is a product called "zip kicker" that freezes most super-glues instantly so you dont need to hold each piece in position so long (can discolor the wood though so a dulled medical syringe full of the stuff is handy (check your friendly neighborhood needle exchange lol)).

Soak wood pieces in hot water for awhile if you need to bend them without breaking.

I recall making my first model (a skateboard half pipe) that really needed a forgiving eye...(see photo)

switching to modeling digitally helped with my glue encrusted fingertips considerably:) Ive uploaded some other projects onto that flickr page if you are at all curious...