Wood stove, part 1

by brae Email

Maybe if I build yet another mini that requires warmer weather for spray painting it will somehow make Spring come early.  Come on, Punxsutawney Phil!!!  :D

Here's a quick reminder of my wood stove, shown in (very rough) paper mockup form.

This stove from Charnwood is my main inspiration.

And my sketch for the version I plan to make.

Inspired by the work of Kris at 1 Inch Minis, I've opted for mat board.  Since I am using a Grandt Line O scale diamond pattern window (3743) to serve as the door, I started there.  I traced around the inside of the door frame and then marked the outline for the front.

I used circle templates to make the lower curve detailing.  I added a little height to this piece since my mockup was too short in relation to the furnishings.  This includes the wood storage area on the bottom.  My stove measurements ended up being 1 15/16" wide by 3" tall.

Hello, lovely scroll saw!  ;D

I don't have a lot of practice cutting curves on the scroll saw...in fact, this was my first!  So, the two sides were a little uneven.  I flipped the cutout over and traced the outline onto the opposite side.

I used files and a sanding stick to even out the design.  I also sanded the edges slightly to make it more rounded as though it were shaped from metal.  Mine is a little fancier than the inspiration piece, but it will work well with the fancier door I have planned.

I cut the back to match the front, leaving off the curved detailing.

I measured the depth required to hold the small fire from Mainly Minis and cut two pieces the same height as the front and back using this measurement as the width.

I cut an interior base to fit inside these four pieces from foam core board.  I wanted a sturdy base to hold the fire inside the stove.  I marked the line where the foam core shelf will sit inside the stove.

I tested the stove for fit in the room, and it looked good overall.  I won't need to adjust the brick surround much.

I think I need to switch this small fire with the wider fire I usually use, though.  :D  There's a lot of space inside the stove, so I think I'm going to start by lining the sides and back of the interior with foam core.

To be continued...

9 comments

Comment from: 12Create [Visitor]
It is looking great Brae. I love your way of working by finding inspirational pictures in magazines and then working out how to make the item in miniature. I must try and put that in practice. Good excuse to browse through some of the lovely home decorating magazines.
02/19/13 @ 22:58
Comment from: April [Visitor]
Very cool. The window frame looks like it has little pin hinges, are you planning to have a working door?
02/20/13 @ 05:29
Comment from: Debora [Visitor]
Love the tutorial. :)
02/20/13 @ 07:50
Comment from: brae [Member] Email
Thanks so much! :D

The window is meant to be vertical, but I've used it sideways. If you look closely, you'll see two corner blocks on one side and the sill on the other. I plan to make a frame for it, but I'm not sure if it will be a working door or not just yet. I'll have to see what I can come up with. :yes:
02/20/13 @ 08:01
Comment from: Linda [Visitor]
Wow! I, too, would like to be able to make things that inspire me in full scale. Great job and wonderful motivation for the rest of us!
02/20/13 @ 10:33
Comment from: Kathi [Visitor]
Perfect! :D
02/20/13 @ 13:45
Comment from: Blondie [Visitor]
I am honestly too scared to look for real life inspiration photos because then I would want a Real Life house too much (which I can't afford). Hahahaha! But I LOVE the way the stove is turning out. And I know you will find a great way to make it hinged. You can do it. :)
02/20/13 @ 21:36
Comment from: brae [Member] Email
I keep an electronic file of "stuff brae likes" with images of all the things I'll either never be able to afford, don't need to clutter my house or just like but don't care to own. &#59;D
02/21/13 @ 18:24
Comment from: Irene [Visitor]
Good old foam board - I love it!

The stove is already looking good and well done cutting the curves first time. (I've been watching New Yankee Workshop recently and Norm finishes his curves by hand too so you're in good company!)
02/25/13 @ 10:55