The Coddiwompler

[eLink]

So many setbacks!
It's great that we're getting some rain in L.A. But my work area just happens to be the lowest point in my yard, creating this muddy mess. Additionally, my garage leaks like a sieve (built in 1924 and suffering from several roofing hack jobs over the years). So I can only work on the camper in fair weather.
I was really hoping to have finished it by now.

 

[Tom&Shelly]

So many setbacks!
It's great that we're getting some rain in L.A. But my work area just happens to be the lowest point in my yard, creating this muddy mess. Additionally, my garage leaks like a sieve (built in 1924 and suffering from several roofing hack jobs over the years). So I can only work on the camper in fair weather.
I was really hoping to have finished it by now.

Sorry to hear about the flooding. Living in a 100 year old house must be a mixed blessing, to say the least. Congratulations on living in a part of LA that hasn't been razed and had condos put up. (That's how I lived for about 12 years out there. We had the condo roof fixed one year, and it was two years before we had enough rain to discover they did some things wrong.)

Keep at it with the teardrop. Well worth it once finished!

Tom

 

[eLink]

Just about finished with the exterior trim. I have to say, all the teardrop YouTube videos out there make this look easy. But with all the bending, trimming, filing, countersinking, annealing, pounding, fitting, re-screwing, sticky sealant cleanup... I can tell you it is not. At least not in my experience. Not complaining though, it comes with great satisfaction at the end!

Getting this curved panel installed was exhausting! Mostly because of lying on the ground and working upside down. Pre-bending the sheet over a shipping tube definitely helped.

Here is the forward storage compartment. It worked out pretty well I think. I kind of gave up trying to protect the aluminum sheets. I experimented with a sanded finish on the side panel... or I may just leave the beat-up look.

I needed to shave off a portion of the galley wall to allow the hatch seal to fit better. Just about 1/16" for a foot. I finally found a use for this Dremel planer that I have owned for about 20 years!

After routing and filing down the sheet I now have a 1/16" step down from the hinge.

 

[eLink]

Router table? Scroll saw? Bench sander? Who needs 'em!
Behold, my makeshift all-in-one workbench!

Definitely not high-precision (and kind of unsafe!) but it gets the job done!
It took some trial and error to find good techniques to prevent the workpieces from chattering or kicking back while keeping my fingers clear!

 

[lfhoward]

It looks looks it is coming along good!! Nice work getting those curved sections of aluminum to lay flat without creases or dents. Also, you are using the same hinges I used on my build, and I cut out the same ABS plastic spacers as you! I will say depending on the thickness of the foam gasket you can find for sealing the doors, one or two spacers may be necessary to get a good seal that allows the door to be flat/parallel with the camper sides. If the foam gasket is thick and there is one spacer, closing the door will cause it to bend/bow out slightly at the corners farthest from the hinge, which is not what you want. The bow effect is more pronounced the larger the door is. The concave bending gets worse when humidity is high, which can potentially compromise the door seal at the far corners during rain. So you want even pressure on the foam all the way around the door to make a watertight seal, but not too much pressure to cause it to bend the wooden door over time. Hope this makes sense!

 

[Onajourney]

Love the All-in-One workbench ! I made a scroll saw too out of my jig saw for the trim. I also learned to cut the aluminum at top speed from the start.

 

[eLink]

It looks looks it is coming along good!! Nice work getting those curved sections of aluminum to lay flat without creases or dents. Also, you are using the same hinges I used on my build, and I cut out the same ABS plastic spacers as you! I will say depending on the thickness of the foam gasket you can find for sealing the doors, one or two spacers may be necessary to get a good seal that allows the door to be flat/parallel with the camper sides. If the foam gasket is thick and there is one spacer, closing the door will cause it to bend/bow out slightly at the corners farthest from the hinge, which is not what you want. The bow effect is more pronounced the larger the door is. The concave bending gets worse when humidity is high, which can potentially compromise the door seal at the far corners during rain. So you want even pressure on the foam all the way around the door to make a watertight seal, but not too much pressure to cause it to bend the wooden door over time. Hope this makes sense!

Thanks!
The gasket I have is only 1/4" thick so I hope it seals properly... these spacers are cut from 1/8" aluminum and I would hate to have to cut another set!
To prevent door warping I was thinking about adding marine style cam latches at the outer corners. We'll see...

Love the All-in-One workbench ! I made a scroll saw too out of my jig saw for the trim. I also learned to cut the aluminum at top speed from the start.

Yes, higher speeds did seem to work better on the router. But unfortunately, my jig saw is one speed only. After getting my fingers pinched hard by the chattering workpiece, learned to work slowly and steadily. Little bites at a time. I started using a chunk of wood as a push-block to hold down the unruly pieces.

 

[eLink]

Trailer wiring colors are ridiculous!

 

[eLink]

I have become more worried about this compartment, which contains the PD4045, battery and propane stove.

I think I need to somehow partition off the gas and electric components.
My idea is to add a shelf under the stove with enough room for the hose to coil up horizontally. Cables will pass through a rubber seal at the back. I will probably add a door, or panel to hide everything.
It'll be cramped and I can forgot about using any of that area for stowage.

Am I overthinking it?

 

[Onajourney]

I assume you have a propane shut off outside so no worries when not using it. you could get a propane detector for extra measure. I had the same concern. I have diesel fuel , propane, and 12V in my utility compartment. If it goes, it will go quick. LOL.

 

[eLink]

Getting close!
The door turned out pretty good, I think!

 

[lfhoward]

That is a very nice door! The trim just looks precision. Excellent work!

 

[Onajourney]

" You think" It really is fantastic! True craftsmanship. If you had to do it again, would you build them or buy? It looks like a lot of hours went into making them.

 

[Indiana Rambler]

Your build is looking really nice! I also like the ingenuity on the tool usage!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[eLink]

It's been a little while since my last post! I figure it's time for an update. Work on the camper was put on hold for a few years, but I'm happy to say we finally got it done (or done enough) this year and we have already taken a few short trips. So far it is working out well. Of course I will continue to refine and modify as needed!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

This is a very impressive build! Well done!