Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

...ask your questions in the appropriate forums BUT document your build here...preferably in a single thread...dates for updates, are appreciated....

Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby crxtech » Sat Mar 13, 2021 8:11 am

It's been a few weeks since I posted. We've had a few more snow and ice storms here in MD that have slowed my progress. But the past week was in the 60's and 70's and I was able to get the frame painted and glue up some flooring. At the time of my build, a 2x4 at lowes is $7!!! I ended up using 1/2 birch for my flooring panels because it was cheaper the anything pine!
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby crxtech » Sat Mar 13, 2021 8:13 am

two of the three floor panels complete
Attachments
camper-7.jpg
My "helper"
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camper-8.jpg
step down area
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby Bezoar » Sat Mar 13, 2021 8:19 am

Looking good so far - Our builds are similar in that I have an old pop-up frame as well and I am just finishing the floor. Looking forward to watching your progress, keep posting pictures! Great shot of your "helper" with the tape measure!
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby crxtech » Tue Mar 30, 2021 8:10 pm

Finally finished the floor!
camper-12.jpg
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I'm making a template to trace for the walls out of 3 sheets of revolution ply glued up. It's 5'x12'. Ignore that straight line, its temporary.
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Front Curve:
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby crxtech » Thu Apr 01, 2021 6:59 am

I did the big curve this way, because the radius was 10' 7", and I don't have that kind of room in the tent.
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Here is the template clamped to the trailer to see how it looks. What do you think of the shape? I left an inch on the rear curve to rave room to modify it if needed. It's size is starting to show. She is big.
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby Bezoar » Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:00 pm

As I go vertical on my build, I'm going to need to move outside. Tell me about your tent - Do you like it? what brand/size etc?
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby crxtech » Sun Apr 04, 2021 6:26 pm

It's 10"*20' and it wasn't cheap. Paid around $300 on amazon pre covid-19. It's held up through ice storms and a few snow storms. My area gets very windy, a cheaper one wouldn't work. Note my log anchors in the above pictures.

I hope to sell it when I'm done my build...
Last edited by crxtech on Wed Apr 07, 2021 6:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby Terra6 » Sun Apr 04, 2021 9:39 pm

You're going to love all that space and room.
On the road to Shambala...
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby crxtech » Fri Apr 16, 2021 6:09 am

Doing lap joins on 5x5 sheets of 3/4 birch was much harder then I expected. I used a 3/4 dado on the table saw and did 3 passes per edge.
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby crxtech » Fri Apr 16, 2021 6:12 am

I made this router jig to clean up the lap joints and make them a full 2.5" wide. It was very loud and messy, but it turned out great.
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby bartek » Tue Apr 20, 2021 2:36 pm

Your router jig looks better/cleaner than most of my cabinets :) Nicely done
Image 6x10 family teardrop, build thread: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=73426
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby crxtech » Wed Apr 28, 2021 5:35 am

I've made a good bit of progress the past week. Both wall panels are glued together and cut to shape. The lap joint were much more work then I thought they would be, but they seem to be very strong and lined up nicely. I purposely cut one wall panel 1/8" over size, then flush cut it on top of the other wall, so they are exactly the same.
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby crxtech » Wed Apr 28, 2021 5:43 am

I really liked how @bartek(I don't know how to tag someone?) did his spares, but I don't have access to a CNC, but I do have access to a laser cutter, so I made these router templates to cut the slots for my spares. I still need to make the router jig for the actual spares.
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Routing out the groove for the inner roof panel was soooo messy, but one panel is done.
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby crxtech » Wed Apr 28, 2021 6:10 am

I'm to the point were I need to order plywood for the front/roof/rear and I'm so torn on what to get. I've read very mixed things on here about revolution ply from lowes. I tested a scrap peace, left it in a bucket of water for 2 months, through snow/ice/rain, and it warped badly, but didn't delaminate. At the start of my build it was $13 at lowes, now its $20. :cry: Here are my local options:

5mm revolution ply: $20
3mm Marine Okoume: $50
5.2mm C-4 domestic birch $30 (I'm not sure what glue is used, c-4 is a lower grade)
5.2mm exterior lauan: $20

Keep in mind I need 11 sheets, so cost is a factor. These are all 4x8, 4x8 1/8 Baltic birch doesn't seem to be carried anywhere around here. I did find one place willing to specail order it for me but it was $80 a sheet... :shock:
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Re: Large Teardrop build 6'8"x11'8"

Postby bartek » Thu Apr 29, 2021 11:37 am

The options I found were very similar to yours, I went with domestic birch to keep the cost reasonable and I really liked the look. I didn't test how waterproof it really is, but I had to bend few pieces, and they seem fine after soaking in water for < week. I figured it's all going to be soaked with epoxy anyway, and I keep mine in the garage, so it's probably not that critical?
Not sure what kind of finish you're thinking of, but one thing to think about is how the wood will stain - in my experience (and from what I read) birch ends up blotching a lot - I like the look in the end, but I'm guessing Okoume will stain more uniformly (you may want to confirm that, I haven't actually tried).
Probably doesn't matter if you're painting.
Image 6x10 family teardrop, build thread: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=73426
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