Dollhouse landing rail tutorial

Today I made the rail for the second floor of the cabin. Thought I would share how I did it incase it helps someone out there. After I cut my posts and determined the length of the rail, I painted all the components. 2 posts (I put caps on them), 2 sides for the rail, 1 top for the rail (I stained that piece) and 7 spindles.

 

 

I am going to glue the spindles inside two flat pieces that will be the rail sides. This is also how I made the cabin porch rails below.

 

Determine the height of the top rail and where the floor will be, by lining it up with your post. Tape down one of the 

pre-cut rail sides on a cutting board. Line it up so it’s straight and centered within the inch markings on the board.

My spindles will be touching the floor with no bottom rail, so I added the same thickness wood under the bottoms to be sure the spindles are straight vertically. Then I taped down another thick piece of scrap wood for the spindles to butt up against, insuring they will all touch the floor evenly.

Dab on some wood glue in the center spot and line up a spindle onto it. Keep it straight and pushed up against the base wood that is representing the floor. Press your finger in the center of the spindle and nudge the bottom with the tip of your blade to get it perfectly straight, using the cutting board grid as your guide. 

Then add more spindles to the left and right, keeping them even as you go until the rail is full. Let the glue dry.

I use a fan to pull air away from me when using wood glue because I have discovered, no matter what brand I use, the fumes in the glue cause lesions on my face. For a long time I thought it was random acne or insect bites, but I finally figured out it was the glue! I also rinse my face and wash my hands after working with wood glue. A mask only made it worse because the fumes got trapped inside. I have sensitive skin, but do pay attention to your skin after working with it, you may be experiencing the same thing. One of my friends had a similar reaction.

Line up the scrap wood you used at the base and move it to the top and tape it down. Put dabs of wood glue on each spindle and lay on the other rail side, be sure it’s lined up left and right to the other rial side under the spindles and pushed up snug against the wood brace. Weight it down or hold it down until it sets.

Measure where the posts should go and glue them in. Test fit the rail set to be sure the posts are at the correct width. Brace the posts against something to be sure they stay straight. Let dry. 

 

Glue in your rail set by adding glue to the bottoms of the spindles and both ends of the rail. Remove any extra glue with a toothpick.

Touch up with paint, once dry.

 

I will be starting the landscaping of this piece in about a week. I have some really great techniques I am excited to try so be sure to subscribe to this blog!