I have written a few blog posts before about the best power tools to create dollhouses and miniatures like a mini-drill or a craft table saw. But today I will be writing about the best tools for making miniatures and making your own wooden dollhouse. Also, I will be covering hand tools and small tools, if you don't want to use power tools.
updated 29/07/2023
But Let's Start With Safety First!- Tools for Miniature Building
In a previous post, I already talked about safety measures when you go about using power tools, but I wanted to add a few things:
- do not wear loose clothing that might get caught in a revolving machine.
- wear safety glasses
- if you are using a machine that has machine guards, always use them properly
- while using sharp hand tools, always keep both hands behind the cutting edge
- when changing saw-blades or making any other adjustments, always unplug power tools first!
- use push sticks whenever possible to avoid cutting your fingers
- try to avoid using power tools in poor light or low temperatures, you should be focused on the task and not be distracted by other things like shivering from the cold. A reminder to also avoid being disturbed by family members or pets, when you start to cut things.
A. Power Tools for miniature building
To make a wooden dollhouse, I am assuming that you already have a basic woodworking toolkit and so I will be focussing on some more specialized tools plus equipment that the carpenter for real-size furniture might not have.
Because these days, every brand out there makes small power tools with the DIY person in mind. If you don't have these power tools, the dollhouse still can be done with just using hand tools (hand tools will be discussed later in this article), but it will take you a bit longer to finish, obviously.
1. A Mini Table Saw to cut the wood for miniatures.
As I said, I have talked about this before in 2 separate blog posts: here and here. I don't think that I have much info to add, I used mine a lot for my treehouse and backyard shed!
It would be advisable to watch a Youtube video or two though before starting to work with this machine!
2. A Router Tool- a perfect tool for dollhouses
Bosch makes excellent routers. It can be used for a variety of things, like sawing outdoors and window openings, especially if several cutouts of identical sizes are needed.
If you fit the router to the drill stand with 'table and fence', it will cut out the carcass joints in plywood panels easily.
It is also a perfect machine to cut joints and rebates in small parts, such as door frames and window bars.
You would need a whole range of straight cutters: 1-5mm, 3mm, 6mm, and 9mm are useful.
3. A Jigsaw
Another one to be put on the list of the best power tools to have to make a dollhouse is the jigsaw. Well, at the least you can say that it is very useful, but not that essential if you have a hand fretsaw (aka a hacksaw, some more info here).
4. An Orbital Sander.
If you ever buy one, they go a very long way and will last you over 20 years, even well-used! And they will do more than enough for our hobby.
Again, an orbital sander is not an essential tool, but what it will do is make a better job when used with a simple jig to clean off and thicknessing window assemblies.
You can use a simple block plane, but then there is more risk of breaking or splitting small components.
5. A 12V Mini Craft Drill, another power tool for miniature making.
I have written before about mini electric drills and even made 5 reviews on them here. I really do think that a mini craft drill is something that any crafter should have in their working place to make dollhouses and/or miniatures (and more)!
Have a look at my crafting place in this Youtube video that I made! (sorry for my bad Dutch accent haha)