So we left off last time with a shed on short legs, which clearly bore no resemblance to a Tardis, so this is where we get clever. One of the key idea's of the project was to keep it simple and affordable and in such we would use either recycled or off the shelf materials.
The Tardis façade had to both look as authentic as possible and also double up as a deck which could be lowered like a drawbridge in fine weather. The basis for this would be a sheet of 8' x 4' marine plywood, which can be bought in any DIY store for around £30. This was shaped at one end to look like the roof of the Tardis and at the other it would be attached to the base of the shed with old recycled gate hinges.
Once again the Campervan was pushed into service, this time as a handy workbench. On the front of the plywood sheet we glued and screwed a mixture of old and new floorboards which would form the Tardis doors and windows. This also had the added benefit of strengthening the façade as it also had to double up as the deck when in it's lowered position. I planned only one opening door so as not to weaken the façade/deck to much.
The windows clearly could not have glass in , so they would be made with thin bits of strip wood which would then be painted. Talking of paint, getting the right shade of blue was critical for the right look. Fortunately Cuprinol do a great range of garden shades and their "Iris"blue was just perfect for the Tardis. Once painted with three coats of Iris blue it was beginning to look more like the Tardis.
The cameras were back for when we were fitting the Tardis façade to the shed, which didn't go quite to plan when I'd put the hinges an inch to high and it wouldn't clear the tree branches above...Dohhh.
However no Tardis is complete without the proper signs and this is where the internet and a laminator came in handy for the two sign on the doors...So they were virtually free. The large "Police Box" sign was more tricky and in the end I got a local sign maker to cut some vinyl lettering at just the right size. These I then fitted to a piece of wood painted black which was then fitted over the doors.
The Tardis was really taking shape now, but there was still the light for the top ,all the internal fit out and the all important winch mechanism to lower the front.. That we'll save until part 3.
I feel like cruising the open road in a camper van sounds like the life. i would love to learn more about it, and how I can make that dream a reality for me! It sounds like the adventure of a lifetime. http://campervanaustralia.uk
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