Model building

[Jim_Rogers]

In preparation to an upcoming event, I wanted to have a model of a 12'x16' timber frame cabin on hand to show people.
I created three plan pages to the scale of 1" = 1' and had them printed up.
I gathered some tools, that I had. Bought one or two that I needed.
And proceeded to build the model.

I used a piece of eastern white pine for the lumber, cut the timbers on a table saw to the sizes needed.

And mounted the floor plan sheet to a piece of 1/4" plywood for a stable base.

After a day of working on it. I was able to raise three bents, "all by myself!"



Next I needed to create the rafters and plates.

I used a drawing of the rafter and cut out a paper template and traced the profile onto the 3/8"x1/2" strip of pine. I modified the seat joint to eliminate any fancy joinery and assembled the rafters in pairs. And installed them.




As with most frames it was full before it was finished.
I'm storing all tools and extra timbers in the frame until I have time to finish the build.

Jim Rogers

PS. Build a model of your future frame is a good way to understand timber frame structures/

[Jim_Rogers]

I just wrote a story about building this model. And my login timed out.
Bummer big time.

So, here is the second time:

I bought a hot glue gun and some glue sticks. Supposedly good for wood. Didn't work good at all.

My friend at the Learning Center said he used a gorilla glue with an activator.
I went to the store and bought some gorilla wood glue (no activator type). And tried that.
Didn't work good at all. Even worse than the hot glue.

I had my 16-gauge brad nailer air gun with me and used that, with some 1" long brads. But some joints that length nail was too long.

I have a smaller brad nailer air gun someplace. I'll have to find it and see if I can get some 3/4" nails for it. 

Some of the joints the nail blew out the side of the scale timber. Not the best looking joint at all.

Jim Rogers

[doc henderson]

Jim. I like my 23 g pin nailer for stuff like that.  all my crafty stuff like bird feeders ect.  holds stuff till the glue dries.  I use Tite bond.  1 inside and 3 outside projects.  You can get all different lengths sown to like 3/8ths and up to about 1.5 inches.  I have a Bostitch, but HF may have a cheap one.  depends on if you plan to use it often and for the future.  you can barely see the hole it makes.  great for models.

[Jim_Rogers]

Doc:
Thanks for your advice.

Jim Rogers

[Dave Shepard]

I used a 23 gauge pinner also. I made a model of each of the Dutch barns that I restored. About 40 hours each.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6mcIrlYBua8

[rusticretreater]

I am an avid modeler, you know cars, planes, rocket kits.  But I roll my own mods often.

Aren't you supposed to be using treenails/pegs just like you would for a full size build?

A pin drill and some round toothpicks would probably be my first try.  You might be able to use a dremel as a drill.

[Dave Shepard]

Depends on who is paying the bill.

[Andries]

[Andries]

[Andries]

[Andries]

Log cabin models might be easier than timberframe models; the joinery is much finer on the tf's.
If there's a fairly large building crew or if contractors are involved - a model is an excellent way to get people to understand the project.

[Ljohnsaw]

I need to take some more recent pictures as I did more to it since these pictures were taken.

[Andries]

John- did you use a 32 ga. Pin nailer for that model?
😂😉😂

Quick edit - 🤦�♂️ I thought it was the real timberframe build!
I'll see myself out now . . .

[Ljohnsaw]

My model is 1/16 scale so 3/4"=1'. I used my pin nailer, what are those, 22g? Just for the beams and posts. The rest is Titebond II.

The long basement wall is close to 48" long.

[Jim_Rogers]

Jim. I like my 23 g pin nailer for stuff like that.  all my crafty stuff like bird feeders ect.  holds stuff till the glue dries.  I use Tite bond.  1 inside and 3 outside projects.  You can get all different lengths sown to like 3/8ths and up to about 1.5 inches.  I have a Bostitch, but HF may have a cheap one.  depends on if you plan to use it often and for the future.  you can barely see the hole it makes.  great for models.

So, if I understand all of you who have posted. The higher the gauge number the smaller the nail? is that right?
HF has a nice 23 gauge and nails on sale this weekend. I think I'll get one to use to finish this model and for future model building.

Thanks for all your advice and photos of your projects.

Jim Rogers

[Dave Shepard]

Yes, the higher the number, the smaller fastener. The headless pinners are 23 gauge. Basically about the diameter of a paper clip. Maybe smaller.