This thread shows the assembly of a Campbell’s Double Hand Car House (Kit #368). Hopefully these pics will inspire some of you to try your hand at a craftsmen style kit. Campbell kits are a great way to learn the basic techniques of building craftsmen wood models. The instructions are simple to follow, and their full-size templates second to none.
This first pic shows the wood parts and templates laid out and ready to go. I like to lay out my templates on a flat work surface such as this piece of foam core.
I start assembly by edge-gluing the front and back walls. I use Elmer’s glue applied with a pin or tooth pic. Try to avoid the glue from oozing out. Glue stains will not allow the paint or stain to adhere to the wood. Remember, “more glue does not make a stronger joint”. next, add the corner post to the gabled side walls. Install the post even with the bottom of the walls, allowing the excess to protrude the tops. Once dry, simply cut excess material with a sharp razor for a perfect fit.
To avoid the walls from warping, I like to add plenty of extra interior bracing. Here, 1/4 inch square wood is used to brace the walls.
With the wall bracing complete, we are now ready to apply paint. I apply a base-coat using Floquils’ Earth. Allow the base coat to dry over night. You are now ready for the top coat. For this project, I chose Polly-S Medium Grey. Apply the paint thinned down with water. Hence, the extra bracing applied on the previous step. You want to stain, not paint the wood. Allow the base coat to show through. Next, mix up a
Thank you for taking the time to present this very organized and informative thread. I’ve been holding off on a couple of Bar Mills Billboard kits I have, but after reading your tips, I think I’ll take the plunge and assemble and paint them.
a question (ok , two questions)… if you paint the walls with Earth aren’t you sealing the wood ? if so how does the staining work with the thinned grey ? obviously it does , but it seems to me that it shouldn’t work . also if the wood is sealed is there really a need for the extra bracing ?
Great stuff. I have just gotten back into wooden models after a 35 year layoff. I remember how much I like it and how good Cambell is. I also look at your stuff and realize there is always room for my improvement. I am both inspired and humbled. Thanks
Priming the wood with Earth does seal the wood. However, the staining i’m was referring to is with the grey (top coat). You want to apply the grey (thinned down) so that the base coat of earth shows through. After that, the walls are tone downed / weathered with my A&I stain.
As far as bracing goes, i’ve learned from experience that wood walls WILL warp over time if not reenforced.
I’m glad you found this tutorial helpful. Please post pics of those billboards when finished. BTW, since Barmills has stop production of them, I’m sure they will soon be considered a “Collector’s Item”.
