1:144 scale Tudor chest
Idea and instructions by Anna-Carin Betzén
This chest is based on a couple of circa 1500 oak chests in the Victoria and Albert museum (use their "Search the Collections" page to see pics and dimensions of items in their collections). The original chests had carvings, but I skipped those!
Supplies and tools
- Square stripwood; either 2.5×2.5 mm, or 3/32" square or H0 8×8 (they're almost exactly the same size)
- Two widths of scale lumber - one the same width as the stripwood, and one a little wider. I used H0 2×8 and H0 2×10
- Your chosen stain and clear finish
- Tacky Glue
- Chopper (or scalpel or X-Acto, plus razor saw and miter box)
- Scrap of paper (I used regular printer/copier type paper)
- Scissors
- Black paint
- Optional: sewing pin
Check out the Hints and guides section of the site for additional information about the wood types I use,
as well as hints on cutting and finishing. E.g., I describe a really easy way to cut the square stripwood for the chest's trunk using the Chopper.
Tudor chest
Cut the trunk of the chest from square stripwood, 7 mm (9/32") long. Cut two legs from the same width of thin stripwood, each 3.5 mm (1/8") long.
The lid is cut from the widest scale lumber, and the length depends on the exact length of the trunk and thickness of the legs - it should reach along the chest's trunk and the combined thickness of both legs, plus some extra for overhang at the sides. (You can cut the lid later if you like, after you've glued the trunk and legs together - then it's easier to measure.)
Stain the pieces you've cut and let them dry.
Glue the legs to the trunk of the chest, top flush.
If you haven't cut the lid yet, cut it now, measuring against the chest (remember to add a bit of overhang at the ends). Stain and let dry.
Glue on the lid.
Apply your chosen clear finish and let it dry.
Meanwhile, prepare the lock for your chest. Cut a strip of paper, 3/4 mm (1/32") wide, and paint it black.
When dry, cut off a square piece from the black end.
Apply a dot of glue right below the center of the lid's front edge...
... and stick on the lock. It should butt against the lid.
When the glue has dried, you can add the keyhole by pushing the tip of a sewing pin into the lock.