Doll House Furniture Miniature -- Hepplewhite Side Table Circa Early 1880s -- Complete Kit -- New O

• Authentic Reproduction Furniture Miniature

Hi,

I have several of this brand of miniature furniture kits. This one was a little tough because the shape of the legs doesn't take kindly to being clamped (it's round, not angles). I would use rubber bands from the top, if I did it again. Also, this type of wood (basswood? decent quality, but certainly not high-endy wood, such as mohogany) does NOT like to be dyed mohogany stain. Any glue spots you get (or glue from the factory) will not dye well being stained in a dark color. Either very light, almost non-existent colors of stain, or the reddish maple stain is what I would use if I re-did this one, as you get the best finish. Also, contrary to what the Gorilla Glue label says, it does not stain at all where the glue is. That's a great glue, however, you just have to clamp it tight (tho not tight enough to bend the piece, but solid enough to not move), it does expand as it bonds, so don't go on any long trips while it's setting so you can wipe out the excess, and NEVER ever ever get this stuff on your skin! It burns like a mo-fo, and will make some people sort of sick (ie, me). It also eats through rubber gloves, but the gloves do give you time to be aware of having gotten it in the wrong place. I still love the product; it makes for an exceptionally stong bond. I've dropped my pieces on a ceramic floor, and once bonded in 24 hours, I guarantee you the wood will split before the glue bond will.

The kit is nice, as it's only 6 pices. I've done their dressers, and lemme tell you, drawers are normally a pain in the butt. They always are, no matter whose kit you use, becuase wood never forgets it was once a tree. These kits (any of them) have very little grain, so unless matching to a light-colored decor in the first place, you might miss some of the beauty of the "stripey/speckley pieces." Of course, you could just paint them and be done with it, but be aware the paint thickness might affect how the kit works where it has to move.

I do like this kit (and the other HOM kits). However, avoid the cheap garbage ones (15 bucks for a room of furniture); they stink. I did have a few spots that didn't quite stain the way I planned, but I still like their stuff. I may still have some things to learn about how to get a good finish on my furniture. I prefer to stain/varnish after assembly, but BEFORE you stick on the doodads such as pulls--they get in the way. When you have to sand drawers down becuase they don't quite slide right, you'll be glad you stained/varnished post-assembly; as it's hard to get the finish to match right a 2nd time.