Introduction: How to Build the TARDIS

Wouldn't it be great to hop aboard the TARDIS from the BBC Series Doctor Who and take a trip through time and space? wikiHow tried contacting The Doctor––alas with no luck (yet)–– but we were able to locate plans to build your own. Since we have yet to defy the laws of physics, it will not be bigger on the inside than it is on the outside, but if you follow these simple steps, you'll be well on your way!

Material List:
Base: 1u square x .075u high
Corner posts: .1u square x 2u high
Ceiling: .9u square x .2u high
Outer roof detail: 4 pieces @ .1u wide x .1u high x .75u long
Inner roof detail: 4 pieces @ .1u wide x .2u high x .6u long
Support blocks: 4 pieces @ .2u wide x .2u long x .1u high
Roof top: .6u square x .075u high
Roof cap for lantern: Depends on size of lantern. Approx .3u square x .075u high
Side panels: 3 pieces @ .7u wide x 1.5u tall x .05u thick
Door panels: 2 pieces @ .35u wide x 1.5u tall x .05u thick
Hinges for door: 2
Handle for door: 1
Windows: 8 pieces @ .5u square x .05u thick
Vertical trim: 3 pieces @ 2u tall x .1u wide x .02u thick
Vertical trim for door: 2 pieces @ 2u tall x .05u wide x .05u thick
Horizontal trim: 32 pieces @ .3u long x .1u tall x .02u thick
Screws, glue, metal braces, or whatever is practical for the finished size of the TARDIS.
A lantern for the top.

1: Determine the final size. This will make a big difference in your construction, materials, and of course, cost. Also consider that a full-sized replica will be incredibly heavy, so you'll want to build it in place.

2: Gather your materials. Refer to the Things You'll Need List below, and have all the pieces cut to size and ready build before you start.

3: Start with the base. Lay it down on a flat surface. If it’s small enough to be moved when the TARDIS is finished, lay it on a sheet of paper or other protective material. If it’s going to stay where you build it, make sure the ground is level and not subject to moisture. Lay down a tarp if necessary.

4: Add the corner posts and the ceiling. This will be the framework for everything that follows, so build this part carefully.

5: Mark the corners. With a pencil, mark the inside top of the base around all 4 corners at .05u. For example, if your base is 4 cm square, make a mark at .2 cm. (4 x .05 = .2) 

6: Connect the dots. Draw a line between the center points of your marks with pencil as a guide for placing the other parts of the TARDIS build.

7: Attach the posts. Glue the posts to the base so that they sit inside the guidelines, as shown.

8: Attach the ceiling. Place the ceiling board on top of the corner posts, aligned so that the edges are flush.

9: Allow the TARDIS frame time to dry and let the glue set

10: Build the outer roof frame. Take the 4 outer roof pieces, and glue them together to form a picture-frame-like box.

11: Build the inner roof frame. Using the 4 inner roof pieces, glue them together to form a box that will fit inside the outer roof frame.

12: Attach the frame. Center the frame structure on top of the roof, and mark the location. Apply glue to the bottom of the frame, and attach. Add the 4 support blocks on the inside corners of the frame, as shown

13: Attach the top. Apply glue to the support blocks, and set the roof top in place. It should be flush with the top of the frames.

14: Alternate roof assembly:
Replace the frames with solid pieces. Instead of an outer frame and an inner frame plus support blocks, center and attach one .7u square x .1u high piece, then top it with a .6u square x .1u high piece.

15: Add a roof cap for the lantern. Center and glue this block to the top of the roof assembly. 

16: Allow to dry. Make sure the entire roof assembly is squared, and let dry. 

17: Add a lantern

18: Attach between the posts. For all sides but the door side, center the side panels horizontally between the posts. Glue these in place on the bottom and sides, and let dry.

19: Add the windows. Attach two window panels on each non-door side. They should fit snugly between the top of the side panels and the roof.

20: Add vertical trim. Attach the long vertical strip in the center of the side panel on all 3 sides, and allow to dry.

21: Add horizontal trim. Starting at .05u from the bottom of the side panel, make a mark every .5u. Do this on each side of the vertical trim piece, and on the edges of the side panels. Attach a horizontal trim piece at each point, as shown.

22: Build the stationary side. Attach the left door panel, centered on the left vertical post. Glue it to the post and to the base, and make sure it is straight across the bottom.
Allow to dry. 

23: Attach the hinges. The TARDIS opens inward, so attach the hinges to the inside of the right door panel. Center the door panel on the right vertical post, then attach the hinges to that post. Test to make sure it opens smoothly.

24: Add the windows. Attach one window panels to the left door panel, gluing it in place on the panel, the post, and the ceiling. For the swinging door panel, glue only the bottom of the window.

25: Add the vertical trim.
Attach the long vertical strip to the left door panel so that the right edge of the strip is flush with the right edge of the door panel.
Attach the long vertical strip to the right door panel so that the left edge of the strip is flush with the left edge of the door.

26: Add horizontal trim. Starting at .05u from the bottom of the door panel, make a mark every .5u. Do this on each side of the vertical trim pieces, and on the outer edges of the door panels. Attach a horizontal trim piece at each point, as was done with the side trim.

27: Let everything set and dry thoroughly.

28: Now that you are done, you will want to personalize it. Start by painting it a deep gray-blue. Here’s a color chip you can use as a reference. (or pick whatever color you think best)

29: Add a handle. When the paint has dried, add a door handle.

30: Add signage. Add a panel across the top that says Police Public Call Box on the outside edges of the ceiling. It is white lettering on a black background.
The panel on the front of the TARDIS reads as follows: 

Now you are done. This step-by-step project though was not originally my idea.