Small castle made from cardboard tubes...

Post by **Howard** » Sat May 09, 2015 12:28 pm

Greetings to all…

After a “creative dry spell“…and a couple of other “stumbling blocks“…I’ve started a new project…

Just like many of you…I like castles…big and small…this one will be on the small size…I can’t really post all the finished measurements right now since I’m “composing” as I build…so the finished castle (or one you build) will probably vary slightly from the sketch…

Paul recently posted a topic on another one of his sites…how to use a “pre-made form” for the main body of a structure…a way to cut down on some of the building steps…I think his “concept” will work well here…he use a standard tissue box…I’m using cardboard tubes…here’s a link…

http://bigindoortrains.com/primer/build ... fronts.htm

The major castle pieces are cardboard tubes…the largest (2 ¼” diameter x 3 ½” long) is from a spool of ribbon…the smallest tube has a diameter of ¾”…The two other pieces have diameters between the largest and smallest…I’ll post the finished length of each tube later…there will be a rectangular entry made from cut and folded cardboard…

A bigger castle could be built…just follow the basic assembly as a guide…use larger diameter tubes and adjust the lengths as needed…I think a good starting place for a larger castle would be a Morton ® 26-oz. salt container…

More about all the parts, pieces, measurements, base, fence and landscape in later posts…

My very best regards…Howard…

Post by **Howard** » Mon May 11, 2015 12:59 pm

greetings to all...

the main pieces are starting to take shape...and it's growing taller...probably be about 11" including the base...

a pattern for the entry and trim plus the tube measurements are shown below...note that the trim extends past the top of the tubes and entry by 3/8"...you can also see the windows and light holes in the tubes...

the spires are rolled and glued manila folder...i had to roll several of each to get the right look and fit...the cone shaped support on the thin tower was carved from a wine cork...i tried rolling a cone but didn't like the results...

i'll make the stairs, base and fence after the castle is assembled...more pictures then...

my very best regards...howard...

Post by **Howard** » Tue May 12, 2015 8:05 am

good morning...

i think it's looking more and more like a castle...steps, windows, base and fence are next...still mulling over the colors and the finish...

my very best regards...howard...

Post by **paulrace** » Tue May 12, 2015 5:46 pm

So cool!

Post by **DCrowe** » Tue May 12, 2015 8:15 pm

That is like totally tubular, dude! That is meant as a compliment for sure. Each time I dispose of a cardboard tube, I think of the possibilities for putzing. But any attempt to save them for raw materials gets out of hand and turns into a big pile of recyclables. Glad to see someone is more productive than me and I look forward to seeing more pics of progress on Tubular Towers.

Post by **Howard** » Wed May 13, 2015 8:46 am

good morning...

just about finished making all the parts...overall height (including base) is 11"...base measures 6 1/4" x 5 1/4" x 3/4" thick...

fence sections are 1/4" hardware cloth glued with epoxy to 1" tall x 3/8" square cardboard posts...caps will be added after the fence is glued in place on the base...

windows are next to be made...then on to primer, paint, finish, landscape, assembly and details...still undecided about the colors...

my very best regards...howard...

Post by **Lee** » Wed May 13, 2015 11:16 am

Howard this is so cool! Will you be having pennants flying from the towers?

Post by **Howard** » Wed May 13, 2015 12:36 pm

Lee wrote:Howard this is so cool! Will you be having pennants flying from the towers?

oh, yes...i really like red lions on a yellow field...will decide design and colors based on the finished colors of castle...also thinking about a new "flattie" for the yard...perhaps a "stag"...but that will probably be a later project...

my very best regards...howard...