Using various jigs, you can construct any kind of door you
want. For example, you can build a panel door with a glass top
panel, as many doors are in homes. You can build a transom
above the door. When building depots, I can build a 10’-wide
freight door in another jig. You could build a double door if you
wanted to install it in a business structure.
Let me add that these jigs are not scale-specific, I have been
using them to build HO scale windows and doors, but they can
be used in any scale. You could build in S scale or O scale by
using the larger jigs. You can even build in G scale. However,
only the smallest of these jigs would be useful in N scale.
Making stairs
Now let’s take a look at a very special jig in which I build stair-
cases. Many, but not all, stairs are built on a 41° angle. I used
3’-long pieces of 4x8s. The steps are made from 3 1/2’-long
pieces of 2x10s.
How many steps are you going to need? Cut that many 3’-long
pieces of 4x8 styrene. Stack the pieces horizontally on the base
piece of brass, butted up against the 41° piece of brass. This
time I used Tenax-7R for the steps; use it liberally to bond these
pieces together to make the step treads.
The effect will be as follows: by butting the pieces up against
the 41° angle brass you are creating both stair stringers at the
same time.
Remember – use lots of Tenax-7R; this is no place to skimp
on glue. Let the stair stringers dry for 24 hours. Now measure
over 1-1/2’ and make two marks at the top and bottom of
the stringers. Line up your ruler and cut the stringers in half,
cut slowly so the stringers come apart without the individual
pieces breaking loose. You now
