(Almost) Life Size Tardis

by bagnitsch

20K20020

Intro: (Almost) Life Size Tardis

My husband, my friends and I put together a TARDIS for another friend's 30th surprise birthday party. It took about 2 months of working on it after work twice a week but we all agree it was worth it.

Completed size was 4' x 4' x 84" It was constructed so that it could be disasembled by the way of pin hinges and removeable parts.

(Be mindful of the height of the room you are going to put this.)

STEP 1: Supplies

We don't have an exact list of what was used because they built it by just looking at a picture.
But here is basically what was used:

5 sheets of 1/2 CDX Plywood
8 2x4s 8'
2 4x4's 8'
6 1x2 trim
5 1/4 x 1 flat trim
2 quarts of blue paint
Trim Nails
Coated 8D nails
Gorilla Glue
Sand Paper
Light Fixture and wiring
Blue Light Bulb
Hinges
Parchment paper
Staples
White and Black Paint

STEP 2: Panels

You will start by making 4 panels and arranging your hinges. One panel will have a half door. You will need to cut that out, before adding trim.

You will miter cut 4 4x4 pieces and anchor only one to the panel with the door on it.

STEP 3: Paint Panels

You can hook up your unpainted panels, to make sure everything is square and then paint them a vivid Doctor Who Blue.

STEP 4: Top

The top was a two layer section. The first layer just fit over the box. Then the light assembly fit on top of that. The two layers were fastened to each other but the top itself was not fastened to the box, for removal.

STEP 5: Signs

This was the most fun for me is painting the signs.

For the front sign measure between your trim to determine your sign size. Cut out of plywood and sand. paint white. I simply decopauged the words on! After your glue is dry, age the sign some with watered down black paint.

The call box signs were trickier. I printed out my letters on a laser printer and covered the reverse side with chalk, laied it on the painted black board and traced it on top. Lift up your paper and you have an outline you can use to paint lettering!

STEP 6: Lighting

We rigged a exteior light on the top piece where it plugged in with an extension cord. There is a trouble light hanging from the inside that will have a nice effect glowing through the parchment paper.

STEP 7: Windows

The final step is stapling parchment paper on the inside of the windows. If you can't find big enough sheets use multiple sheets, but try to line up the seams behind the window trim.

20 Comments

nytowl520 5 years ago

What did you use for the light, and where did you get it or how did you make it? You skipped right past that part, and that's the part I'm wrestling with for my almost half-sized TARDIS DVD cabinet (yes, I'm taking pics as I go, and may post it as a project on here when it's complete). I need to figure out the light... because I really want a working light on it.

I know this is several years old, but I hope you'll wander back and answer me.

kathynv 7 years ago

Wow.I would make sure that this lovely Tardis is very well secured to something that isn't goinrg anywhere, like a large tree. It would be terrible if someone nasty decided to liberate your lovely creation.

micahtagya 10 years ago

if I was building a house I would tuck this into a corner of a room (so it would look small and have it open up into an office/library or home theatre room.

ldeese1 10 years ago

Wouldn't that also make an awesome playhouse for some lucky kid?!

NSalkoff 10 years ago

Just a suggestion: the top part of the TARDIS could be a bit taller, but everything else is cool

Mille_ 10 years ago

Wow... This is just really... wow.

BeeZeeArt 11 years ago

I feel like I need this. NEED. It's amazing.

karalalala 11 years ago

This is amazzzinngggg. If my friends built me a Tardis for my birthday, I would go mental. And probably promptly move into it. And become "that crazy tardis woman". Yep. That would be living the dream. Thanks for this, it looks perfect!

urtlesquirt 11 years ago

1. Place in yard
2. Remove floor
3.Dig large room out under it
5. Model to make it look like the inside of the TARDIS
6. Enjoy your bigger on the inside TARDIS

EaglesNest 11 years ago

I like the way you think! Count me in for opening night :)

urtlesquirt 11 years ago

Fish sticks and custard will be served!

Penolopy Bulnick 11 years ago

Oooh, I'm liking this idea! Awesome Tardis! Wonderfully constructed :)

EaglesNest 11 years ago

I wish I had friends like you *sigh*

nnygamer 11 years ago

Such an iconic design. You should see this portable one made by a lady in Germany. http://youtu.be/rtWUrJU46M8

ChrysN 11 years ago

Wow, that looks awesome!

Cekpi7 11 years ago

Wow its so realistic :D now build interior

jessyratfink 11 years ago

Ahhhhhh! So awesome. My friends and I always wanted to build a collapsible TARDIS like this. :D

Kiteman 11 years ago

So, what's stopping you?