STEP BY STEP
1
This Arch Laser kit, produced for Osborn’s Models, contains a wealth of laser-cut parts, rendered in good quality micro plywood. As well as the main building, the kit also provides a set of platform signs and an ornate bench.
2
The main wall sections feature chamfered joint faces at each corner, which greatly aids assembly, and ensures continuity of the stone detail on the exterior faces.
3
Use the floor piece as a guide to start erecting the main structure, bonding one side wall and end to begin with. A set square helps to ensure that the walls are vertical and the corner square.
4
Hold the parts together to allow the glue to ‘grab’. Set aside for five minutes or so before adding the other end and side wall. I used Deluxe Materials’ Laser-cut Glue, the needle tip allowing it to be applied precisely to the joints.
5
Cut the roof trusses from the fret. For best results, cut the small retaining tabs gradually from both sides with a sharp blade, to avoid damaging the parts or breaking the blade.
6
Low tack masking tape made for a handy clamp to keep all four walls held tightly while the glue set. Fixing the roof trusses in position will also help hold the parts squarely and reduce the risk of the side walls bowing inwards while clamped.
7
The extension and lean-to parts feature tabs that fit into slots in the main walls. A snug fit was achieved with a little fettling. It’s a good idea to sand the mating faces of any carbon deposits, to ensure a secure glue bond.
8
I found the protruding sections of the floor for each extension to be slightly too large so, using the walls as a guide, the floor was trimmed with a knife. Several passes were made with the knife to cut safely through the plywood.
9
The stone and timber extension walls were then installed, slotting into the main walls and using the pre-formed chamfers to ensure neat corner joints.
10
A pair of main roof sections are provided, and these were fixed in position only after the glazing had been installed – as the interior will not be accessible from here on in. The glazing was secured with a little PVA glue.