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How to Build a TARDIS Replica

Planning
Building the frame
Six Methods:
Finish your TARDIS
Community Q&A

HELP US

Building the roof

Building the sides

Adding the door

Wouldn't it be great to hop aboard the TARDIS from the BBC Series Doctor Who and take a trip
through time and space? wikiHow tried contacting The Doctoralas with no luck (yet) but we
were able to locate plans to build your own. Since we have yet to defy the laws of physics, it will not
be bigger on the inside than it is on the outside, but if you follow these simple steps, you'll be well
on your way!

Things You'll Need

Base: 1u square x .075u high
Corner posts: .1u square x 2u high
Ceiling: .9u square x .05u high
Outer roof detail: 4 pieces @ .1u wide x .1u high x .75u long
Inner roof detail: 4 pieces @ .1u wide x .2u high x .6u long
Support blocks: 4 pieces @ .2u wide x .2u long x .1u high
Roof top: .6u square x .075u high
Roof cap for lantern: Depends on size of lantern. Approx .3u square x .075u high
Side panels: 3 pieces @ .7u wide x 1.5u tall x .05u thick
Door panels: 2 pieces @ .35u wide x 1.5u tall x .05u thick
Hinges for door: 2
Handle for door: 1
Windows: 8 pieces @ .5u square x .05u thick
Vertical trim: 3 pieces @ 2u tall x .1u wide x .02u thick
Vertical trim for door: 2 pieces @ 2u tall x .05u wide x .05u thick
Horizontal trim: 32 pieces @ .3u long x .1u tall x .02u thick
Screws, glue, metal braces, or whatever is practical for the finished size of the TARDIS.
A lantern for the top.
Sonic screwdriver (optional)
Exploded view of all the parts. If your TARDIS looks like this when you are done, you didn't use
enough glue!

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Method

Planning

Determine the final size. This will make a big difference in your construction, materials,

and of course, cost. Also consider that a full-sized replica will be incredibly heavy, so
you'll want to build it in place.
For this article, the measurement used is referred to simply as "units" rather than
inches or meters. For example, instead of 1 inch or 1 cm, the article uses the
abbreviation 1u.
This will be the basis for all the relative dimensions you will need to calculate the final
sizes. If your TARDIS is to be 4 cm square, then everything is multiplied by 4. For
example, say that the vertical posts on each corner are 2u high by .1u square. Multiply
everything by 4, and the final dimensions will be 8cm x .4cm x .4cm.

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Gather your materials. Refer to the Things You'll Need List below, and have all the
pieces cut to size and ready build before you start.
For the balance of this article, it is assumed that you're building a scale replica. If you
wish to build the full-sized version, be sure to build securely, using screws and braces
as necessary.

Method

Building the frame

Start with the base. Lay it down on a flat surface. If its small enough to be moved when

the TARDIS is finished, lay it on a sheet of paper or other protective material. If its going
to stay where you build it, make sure the ground is level and not subject to moisture. Lay down
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a tarp if necessary.
Base = 1u square x .2u high.

Add the corner posts and the ceiling. This will be the framework for everything that

Mark the corners. With a pencil, mark the inside top of the base around all 4 corners at

follows, so build this part carefully.

.05u. For example, if your base is 4 cm square, make a mark at .2 cm. (4 x .05 = .2)

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Connect the dots. Draw a line between the center points of your marks with pencil as a

Attach the posts. Glue the posts to the base so that they sit inside the guidelines, as

guide for placing the other parts of the TARDIS build.

shown.

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Attach the ceiling. Place the ceiling board on top of the corner posts, aligned so that

Allow the TARDIS frame time to dry and let the glue set.

the edges are flush.

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Method

Building the roof

Build the outer roof frame. Take the 4 outer roof pieces, and glue them together to

Build the inner roof frame. Using the 4 inner roof pieces, glue them together to form a

form a picture-frame-like box.

box that will fit inside the outer roof frame.

If there are small gaps, dont worrythose can be taken care of with filler before
painting.

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Attach the frame. Center the frame structure on top of the roof, and mark the location.

Attach the top. Apply glue to the support blocks, and set the roof top in place. It should

Apply glue to the bottom of the frame, and attach. Add the 4 support blocks on the inside
corners of the frame, as shown.

be flush with the top of the frames.

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Alternate roof assembly:

Add a roof cap for the lantern. Center and glue this block to the top of the roof

Replace the frames with solid pieces. Instead of an outer frame and an inner frame
plus support blocks, center and attach one .7u square x .1u high piece, then top it with
a .6u square x .1u high piece.

assembly.

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Allow to dry. Make sure the entire roof assembly is squared, and let dry.

Add a lantern.

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Method

Building the sides

Attach between the posts. For all sides but the door side, center the side panels
horizontally between the posts. Glue these in place on the bottom and sides, and let dry.
If they are too tight, trim a little off one side until they fit snugly.
If too loose, add a small frame inside each side of the posts, then attach the side
panel to that frame.

Add the windows. Attach two window panels on each non-door side. They should fit
snugly between the top of the side panels and the roof.

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Add vertical trim. Attach the long vertical strip in the center of the side panel on all 3

Add horizontal trim. Starting at .05u from the bottom of the side panel, make a mark

sides, and allow to dry.

every .5u. Do this on each side of the vertical trim piece, and on the edges of the side
panels. Attach a horizontal trim piece at each point, as shown.

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Method

Adding the door

Build the stationary side. Attach the left door panel, centered on the left vertical post.
Glue it to the post and to the base, and make sure it is straight across the bottom.
Allow to dry.

Attach the hinges. The TARDIS opens inward, so attach the hinges to the inside of the

right door panel. Center the door panel on the right vertical post, then attach the hinges to
that post. Test to make sure it opens smoothly.

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Add the windows. Attach one window panels to the left door panel, gluing it in place on

Add the vertical trim.

the panel, the post, and the ceiling. For the swinging door panel, glue only the bottom of
the window.

Attach the long vertical strip to the left door panel so that the right edge of the strip is
flush with the right edge of the door panel.
Attach the long vertical strip to the right door panel so that the left edge of the strip is
flush with the left edge of the door.

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Add horizontal trim. Starting at .05u from the bottom of the door panel, make a mark

Let everything set and dry thoroughly.

every .5u. Do this on each side of the vertical trim pieces, and on the outer edges of the
door panels. Attach a horizontal trim piece at each point, as was done with the side trim.

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Method

Finish your TARDIS

Now that you are done, you will want to personalize it. Start by painting it a deep
gray-blue. Heres a color chip you can use as a reference.
The BBC approved Tardis blue is actually Pantone 2955C.
Be sure to mask off the windows, unless you want them blue too!

Add a handle. When the paint has dried, add a door handle.
You can also add a magnetic latch to secure the door, or a stop on base and roof so
that it cant be pulled outward.
Finish the inside. Gold paint would be a good choice.

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Add signage. Add a panel across the top that says Police Public Call Box on the
outside edges of the ceiling. It is white lettering on a black background.
The panel on the front of the TARDIS reads as follows:

You are now the proud owner of a TARDIS. Safe travels!

Community Q&A
Answered Questions
I'm thinking of adding a digital clock and running it in reverse. Would this turn back
time?

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A clock can't actually control time. It can only say what time it is, as set by you.

Helpful?

Will it work if you add a quantum generator and a multi dimensional MTA?
Theoretically, it is physically possible to do that. However, it will work the best if you reverse the
polarity after adding a quantum generator and a multi-dimensional MTA.

Helpful?

Unanswered Questions
What kind of wood did you use
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If I want to build it full size, what does 1u represent inches or centimeters?

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Shouldn't the signage go on all four sides?

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Is this life size?

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Tips
Visit instructive websites such as: http://tardisbuilders.com/ for more inspiration.

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Article Info
Categories: Featured Articles | Model Making
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In other languages:

Espaol: construir una rplica del TARDIS, Italiano: Costruire una Replica del
TARDIS, : , Portugus: Construir uma Rplica da TARDIS
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