After completing work on the tower gazebo, I focused on the turret construction. I began by tracing a single turret side on paper as a template for shingling. The main challenge was assembling the turret sides, as there were no slots or tabs to hold them together. To solve this, I used hot melt glue to temporarily secure the panels while the wood glue dried. I marked the panels according to the instructions and used hot melt glue to attach them to the bottom large ring with two slots. I placed each panel evenly around the ring, aligning them with the pencil marks.
Once all panels were attached, I turned the tower upright, ensured all edges were flush, and used masking tape to hold them in place at the top. Next, I applied wood glue to the small tower top circle and slid it up through the bottom of the turret to the pencil marks. I used a dowel and hammer if needed to adjust its position. I then reinforced all joints with wood glue, knowing that the interior would be painted later.
While the tower dried, I cut and fitted the porch railings for the gazebo, adjusting each piece individually due to the circular shape. I painted the railings before installation and placed them between the posts, maintaining a gap between the floor and railings.
After fitting the turret, I sanded any uneven panels and the top of the gazebo ring for a flat surface. I painted the turret and added Victorian trim around it, carefully positioning it for proper fit. I dry-fitted the turret again to ensure even placement on the gazebo top. I left the turret unglued to allow for furniture placement through the top opening.
