Can I tell you how annoying it was to cut 3/4″ thick foam with a hobby knife? Its not as horrible as hand sanding, but it was pretty obnoxious.
My cuts are not clean or perfectly square because it was all done by hand. Of course, it wasn’t until AFTER I cut everything out that I found out that there was such a thing as hot knives made specifically to cut foam, quickly, and easily, without the pain.
Other than that, the whole process was fairly strait forward; measure, cut, tape together, and step back to see how it looks. The gallery below will show you the plexiglas (which looks “frosted” because it still has the protective film on) and a mini chair for scale.
I will be priming it all with a coat of paint before gluing the pieces together. And I also plan on flooring and wall papering as I build up (my first time to do this, ever), so this should be interesting.
On a side note. I need to finish up the Coventry Cottage ASAP, because it needs to be ready to be sold during this holiday season!
looking snazzy, friend! More, more, more!!! Maybe you can clean up the edges with the hot knife? One of the members on the GL forum uses that and she loves it.
The GL forum was where I got my idea for the hot knife actually! But I’m ok with the edges as it is, though it would have been easier to square the project with hot knife cuts. I’m planning on using paperclay (another first) to cover over the outside, so we’ll see!
I work with the pink stuff all the time. If you plan to use it again, definitely get the hot knife!
Before you glue the walls and roof together, Insert preglued tooth picks along the parts to be joined. This will give you a much ore stable project. Also, use a good glue like Liquid Nails! Tacky glue won’t do the job! By the way, did you get the plastic off, BOTH sides? Paint won’t stick to it! I found that out the hard way!
I hope these few tips make using the foam a little less dreadful!
I will be following your project! Along with building castles, I love Modern houses!
Yes I am loving the rigid foam.. and a hot knife is on my xmas list because I am definitely going to continue using this material for future builds!
I’ve actually already glued the first floor together (but I’ve just been too busy/lazy to edit the pix and post).. and I did just about everything you suggested… which makes me feel like I’m on the right track lol.
The plastic isn’t going to be pulled off until I’m ready to create the channels and for it to slide in and out, so that won’t be for a while I think.
I need to check your blog now!