Introduction: (Almost) Life Size Tardis

About: I like making little treats and pretty much doing anything crafty. I want to learn new techniques and share how I do what I do. Edit - I took a break for awhile but I'm ready to get back into sharing my work …

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.