When you first open your dollhouse kit, the assembly process can seem daunting. The first thing to do is to gather all of the supplies you’ll need, and one of the most important supplies to build dolls house kits is glue. Most dollhouse kits are meant to be assembled with glue. You’ll also need glue for many other miniature projects, from installing carpeting and wallpaper to creating miniature furniture. But you won’t need a large collection of different glues for your miniature projects. Just a few types will go a long way.
When you build dolls house kits, expect to use lots of wood glue. Opt for one that dries clear, not yellow. You’ll also need craft glue, such as Aleene’s Tacky Glue or Elmer’s Glue. These can both be used for most purposes, whether you’re assembling the dollhouse itself or finishing smaller miniature projects. When you can’t tape or clamp pieces together as they dry, use an adhesive such as Liquid Nails or Super Glue, which will dry much faster.
Although most types of glue can be used safely to build dolls house kits and other miniature projects, you should never use hot glue. Hot glue guns are difficult to use on tiny spots without making a mess or burning your fingers. Also, warm or cold temperatures greatly affect this glue, which can cause the pieces to fall apart. Though it may be tempting to hot glue your whole dollhouse together, you’ll end up doing more harm than good.
In addition to glue itself, you’ll also want to gather a few different supplies to use when gluing dollhouse miniatures. With full-scale construction projects you would use clamps to hold different pieces together while the glue dries. With miniature projects, you’ll still need to hold the pieces together, but you’ll have to be a little more creative. Clothespins, paper clips, and rubber bands make great ‘clamps’ to keep the pieces in place as they dry. Scotch tape can also be used to hold things together, though you’ll want to be careful about what types of surfaces you are taping.
Several other household tools will come in handy when you’re spreading the glue into tight spaces. Have a box of tissue and a roll of paper towels on hand to clean up excess glue. Toothpicks will help you place a small tab of glue into a corner or a tiny joint. Bottle caps and lids make great containers when you’re working with a small amount of glue or paint. These extra tools will come in handy as you build dolls house miniatures.