Small Lean-To (Kit 3637)

We recommend that you read through these instructions completely before beginning your build.

TOOLS AND MATERIALS

• 220 grit sandpaper
• Glue – PVA glue or equivalent white glue, wood glue, etc.
• X-Acto or razor knife with new sharp blade
• 3-2-1 blocks or equivalent square blocks or clamps (Amazon)
• Finishing materials of choice: stain, paint, India ink, weathering chalks, etc.

GENERAL NOTES

On occasion, a natural defect in the wood may result in a small uncut portion. This can be fixed by making several shallow cuts with a razor knife.

For clarity, the models here are unfinished. You may choose to paint, stain, or finish the model pieces before or after assembly depending on your preference. Because finishing options are so diverse and numerous, finishing and weathering techniques are not covered. You can find excellent tutorials for weathering wooden models on YouTube.

ASSEMBLE THE STRUCTURE

If you want the doors closed, do not cut the tabs for the doors.

Small tabs hold the pieces in place on the wooden sheet. Cut through the tabs with a sharp razor knife, then lightly sand off any remaining tabs using 220 grit sandpaper. Sand just enough to remove the tab remains. Note that over-sanding could change the dimensions of the pieces causing issues with proper fit.

Attach Z-braces

NOTE: The image at the beginning of these instructions is incorrect. Refer to the diagram for proper Z-brace placement.

Previous versions of this kit include a piece of scale lumber that needs to be cut to fit on the door as shown in the photos below. Newer versions of the kit include the Z-braces as a single laser cut piece. Apply glue sparingly to the back of the Z-brace and attach centered vertically on door. Repeat for other door.

    

Assemble Walls

Notice how the long walls are attached to the outside edges of the short walls in the diagram below. 

It may be easier to glue and assemble one corner at a time and let fully dry.

Glue side pieces together by dipping the tip of a toothpick into the glue to get a small drop of glue on the tip. Apply the glue sparingly along the edge to be glued. Applying too much glue is one of the most common mistakes.

    

Use 3-2-1 blocks or equivalent squares to hold pieces together when gluing to assure precise 90-degree alignment.

Glue the two edges of the door frame to the sides of the shed assuring the edges of both sides of the door frame remain parallel and square with the sides of the shed.

    

TAR PAPER ROOF

Refer to our instructions on tar paper roofing with the following note: 

Wrap the upper strip over the top edge of the roof and back onto the backside of the roof. 

 Tar Paper Roofing Instructions 

ATTACH THE ROOF

Attach the roof to the shed so that the back of the roof and shed are flush. This will allow positioning the Lean-To against the side of another building if desired. Place a thin layer of glue around the tops of the walls. Lay the shed on its rear wall. Attach the roof making sure the rear edge is flat to the table and the roof evenly overlaps both sides.

    

ATTACH THE DOORS

If you chose to have the doors closed, you may skip this step.

    

Place a thin line of glue along the inner corner edge of the door. With the shed standing upright, place the door in position and let dry thoroughly. Repeat for other door. For added strength, from the inside of the shed, place an additional line of glue along the door seams.

Add final weathering details as desired.