TARDIS From a Single 2x4

by StephanP1

9.1K10420

Intro: TARDIS From a Single 2x4

To get an overview how I made this, watch the Video.

STEP 1: Cutting

My 2x4 was an irregular 2x4 because it was 2"x 4"

But if you use a bandsaw instead of a table saw then a normal 2x4 is big enough!

My Tardis has only two walls, so I cut the 2x4 in two pieces, one for each wall.

I divided it in 10 pieces and cut 8 on the table saw

STEP 2: Dimensions

The TARDIS has two walls and each wall is divided in a upper frame and a lower frame.

The dimension of the TARDIS depends from the 2x4 and the thickness of your saw blade.

Thickness of one stripe = (width / 10) - the thickness of your saw blade

Cut 8 stripes, the last piece is one saw blade thicker

Tilt these piece 90° and cut it in 5 stripes
Here the last piece is also one saw blade thicker. Use this for the bottom.

The height of the lower frame = (the length of the 2x4 - one saw blade )/2

The width is determined by the length of the crossbars (one stripe=6 crossbars)

The height of the upper frame is the half of the lower frame + the top

In the upper Frame the windows are equal with the fields in the lower frame

STEP 3: Making Half-lap Joints

All the crosspieces are joint with half-lap joints, made on the table saw

STEP 4: Gluing the Frame

I put all together and glued it with wood glue.

STEP 5: The Sign

For the sign I used a 4mm plywood and painted it black.

The letters are printed on paper. I cut them out and glued them on the board.

The frame was built with finger-joints

Later I glued it on the upper frame.

STEP 6: Windows and Top

Windows and top were made with half-lap joints and glued on the upper frame

STEP 7: Lock the Two Frames Together

To lock upper frame und lower frame together I used some extra pieces of hardwood.

The upper frame gets 3 "fingers" and the lower frame 3 pockets.

STEP 8: Painting and Cover

For the windows I used white cotton and for the walls blue cotton.

STEP 9: The Hinges

Instead of hinges I used wooden blocks with two holes and stitched them together with rubber band

STEP 10: Fine Tuning

I closed the gap in the corner with an extra piece and I made a lamp wich sits on a diagonal bar.

If you like it, please vote for it in the 2x4 contest. Thank you.

19 Comments

dhdesignsuk 5 months ago

did you cut the 2x4 in half? if so what is the length that you cut before you started making the 8 flat pieces?

thanks D

marc_vid 8 years ago

Fantastic! I want to make one, but think of all the work to make the inside gives me serious doubts.

StephanP1 8 years ago

Thanks! If you make only two walls, then the inside is the same as the outside! So don't panic!

JannaJ1 8 years ago

Wow this is awsum

David Yakos 8 years ago

Im guessing the inside is taking a lot more time and material... being bigger then the outside?

StephanP1 8 years ago

Yes, I guess I need two 2x4 for the inside :)

ironsmiter 8 years ago

2 X 4 = APPROX 13 Lbs.

Doubled for fabric, and other misc materials = 26Lbs.

Cargo weight of the first octocopter in google search = 35Lbs.

Now, When can we expect to see the T.A.R.D.I.S. flying around a major city near us, making the tardis noise? Maybe with a life size foam Matt Smith hanging from the doorway?

StephanP1 8 years ago

Funny Idea! The weight of my TARDIS is less then 14Lbs (exact 6,1 KG). So my be I make a kite! LOL

slartty 8 years ago

more thought than materials.... wow.... love it!

JokerDAS 8 years ago

Very creative and cool!! Well done!

Just4Fun Media 8 years ago

That looks incredible! How long did it take to construct?

Have a great day! :-)

StephanP1 8 years ago

Thank you, I needed one week to build this.

StephanP1 8 years ago

Thank you Jason. May be I would build my 2x4 boat bigger :)