So – let’s get started:
Bottom Piece
This first piece is the bottom piece. Find a large and sturdy building surface that you don’t mind getting a little dirty. The carpet shown in these images is probably not the best choice for you. The first step is to layout where the bottom bracing goes. Use two of the other available pieces (such as the soffits and/or the vertical bracing pieces) and mark the distance in from each edge of the bottom piece. If you are using the structural pieces available on this website, then the distance will be 1/4″ in from all edges.
Trace Edge Lines
This shows how to use two of the other bracing pieces to mark the edges of the bottom piece. The soffits and vertical bracing work well.
Trace All Edges
Showing the edge marking on another edge.
Layout Bottom Bracing
Next – layout the Bottom Bracing pieces according to the plans. Ensure that the pieces all fit where they belong. Notice there is no bottom bracing on the very front of the house (where the front door will be), nor along the back. But you will want to mark both of those edges as well for future reference.
- – WARNING – - Now seems like a good time to make a point of the caution needed while using CA glue. In case you are interested, you can read more about CA glue here, but in short, CA glue is a fast acting and powerful glue used in many different applications. I was introduced to CA Glue when I got into RC Model Airplanes. I found that CA Glue is particularly useful in bonding MDF due to how smooth and dense the material is. However, at the same time, CA Glue can be dangerous. Be very careful not to get it on your skin – it can take days to wear off, and please, please, please don’t get this in your eyes. Safety goggles aren’t a bad idea here. Lastly, once this stuff drys/cures – it’s solid and trying to separate 2 pieces of MDF once it is glued will result in broken MDF and not a broken bond. So please be sure you know where the piece is going before you glue it down. ok? – ok, enough of that.
Gluing Bottom Bracing
So now we glue. I used the ‘Gap Filling’ CA Glue for the main attachments. I found the ‘Gap Filling’ version was far less likely to run, it didn’t soak into the material too quickly and was just flexible enough to allow changes for just a few moments upon placing the part. If you work quickly (having planned ahead), you can probably get several pieces on (like the 3 right-side pieces) before they are fully set. However, better to plan on just putting them on correctly the first time.
Gluing Bottom Bracing
The amount of glue needed will depend on surface area and will take some practice. Again – I’ll make a note here - if you have some glue push out and run, Please, do not wipe it with your finger. Use a paper towel and keep your fingers away from this glue. If the paper towel sticks too much, it’s easy to scrape off with your X-Acto knife or sand off with sandpaper. I can’t say the same about getting this glue on your skin.
Bottom Bracing Glued Down
This picture shows the Bottom Bracing all glued down to the Bottom Piece. Make note that there are only 3 pieces on the left side and 3 pieces on the right side.
We are very impressed with how strong this bond is.
Fit the Short Side Wall and Bracing
So after giving the bottom piece just a few moments to become solid, you are ready to start preparing the walls for attachment to the base. You start by fitting the short side wall into place (reference the plans for placement locations) and holding the Vertical Bracing in place. Again – check the plans for placing of the vertical bracing. Please make note that the vertical bracing sits on top of the bottom bracing, thus causing it to stick up and above the height of the wall, since the wall is actually sitting on the bottom piece. Yes, this has a reason that you will see when adding the Middle Bracing to the structure.