I am planning to build a mini-sized replica of a TARDIS. In order to get the dimensions correct, I started "building" a model in Sketchup. Since Sketchup can resize models, it was just as easy to build the model full-sized as it was smaller sized. Well, the Sketchup model is mostly finished. Attached are some thumbnails of what I ended up with.
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I had originally thought of making the 7th Doctor's TARDIS, but the only dimensions I found were for the (original) Brachacki version. So that's what I built.
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I am impressed with the woodworking skills of the TARDIS builds I've seen taking shape here. You could place them on a London street corner and they'd last forever! I'm convinced that you could screw an eyebolt into any corner post on these builds and pick the whole thing up with a single hoist, and nothing would fall apart! However, because of my work with portable model railroads, I am very much aware that wood is heavy! And as you get older, what was a simple lift for a 25-year-old is a pain in the back for a 50-year-old!
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My thought is that a classy-looking build can be made with light-weight materials intended to prevent hernias! The design I've put together is intended to be built with GatorFoam or UltraBoard. These are extruded foam, faced on both sides with plastic impregnated wood pulp, or pure plastic. They are light weight, rigid, dimensionally accurate, can be cut with power or hand tools (hand tools take a bit more effort), can be glued together with Gorilla Glue, and can be painted with acrylic or enamel paints (but keep solvent-based paints away from the foam core).
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My design departs from most other builds in another way-- the corner posts and wall panels go all the way to the ground, surrounding an inner base. A 'kickboard' ring wraps around the corner posts and wall panels to help keep the panels and posts in position.
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I'm attaching an overview of the model, and some thumbnails of the construction. Depending on size limits, I'll upload the PNG and SKP zip folders.
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--Paul E Musselman
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I had originally thought of making the 7th Doctor's TARDIS, but the only dimensions I found were for the (original) Brachacki version. So that's what I built.
.
I am impressed with the woodworking skills of the TARDIS builds I've seen taking shape here. You could place them on a London street corner and they'd last forever! I'm convinced that you could screw an eyebolt into any corner post on these builds and pick the whole thing up with a single hoist, and nothing would fall apart! However, because of my work with portable model railroads, I am very much aware that wood is heavy! And as you get older, what was a simple lift for a 25-year-old is a pain in the back for a 50-year-old!
.
My thought is that a classy-looking build can be made with light-weight materials intended to prevent hernias! The design I've put together is intended to be built with GatorFoam or UltraBoard. These are extruded foam, faced on both sides with plastic impregnated wood pulp, or pure plastic. They are light weight, rigid, dimensionally accurate, can be cut with power or hand tools (hand tools take a bit more effort), can be glued together with Gorilla Glue, and can be painted with acrylic or enamel paints (but keep solvent-based paints away from the foam core).
.
My design departs from most other builds in another way-- the corner posts and wall panels go all the way to the ground, surrounding an inner base. A 'kickboard' ring wraps around the corner posts and wall panels to help keep the panels and posts in position.
.
I'm attaching an overview of the model, and some thumbnails of the construction. Depending on size limits, I'll upload the PNG and SKP zip folders.
.
--Paul E Musselman
