Need quick answers on gluing Baltic Birch to foam.

[printer]

Got to have this ready to roll in about three months. Might have it decked out in nine. Kind of figured the picture would illicit some response. Just wait until I have the top on. The kitchen picture did not do it justice, even trying to get the frames out and into the living room took some finessing, for a time I thought I would have to take it back out the garage and in through the front door. I am cutting the foam now since I can just lay the frame on the sheet and draw out the size. Then glue on the outer skin and then the foam, then inner skin. Then mock up the front and roof.

[printer]

For your amusement. I have more iron in the form of motors that I could have used as weights but it is a little cold to go running to the shed. And yes I was responsible and put poly down.

[printer]

I had an unsettling thought. I glued on one sheet of plywood, I decided to change the arrangement of the sheets. I had my frame where I was going to have a full sheet in the front, back and a filler section in the middle, it works out with my framing. But I thought I would not get a perfect straight edge to butt up against the other two sheets and that it might be better to do two whole sheets and a filler in the back. It would require me to put another couple pieces of wood in the sides where the sheets butt up but that is not a big hardship. Then it got me thinking, it is really dry in my house at the moment, 16% RH, I need to install a humidifier today.

So the dilemma is what happens to the sheets when I get into humid conditions? Will the plywood want to expand and bow out? I make acoustic guitars and have seen how wood moves. But that is single sheets of wood and not plywood that has the core at right angles to the outer sheets. Also both outside layers will be sealed with a finish, slows down the process but does not stop it. Am I overthinking things or do I foresee a problem?

[tony.latham]

Plywood doesn’t move like “real”
wood. You’ll be fine.

Tony

[printer]

So I am having size anxiety. Thinking about hauling this thing to Texas with my little four cylinder. More concerned with expected speeds on the highways, talk about 75-80 mph being the norm. I was planning on the trailer being 5' wide for the added room if I ever talk some dumb blond to join me. Maybe I should be making this 4' wide, plenty for myself. If I need more room I can rebuild it.

[TerryB89]

"Make sure you apply a sealant around the bolt threads and the hole in your floor.
Don't want your floor to rot out."

would paint on the underside be enough or something in the hole?

[printer]

I would put something in the hole. I do not like anywhere the plies of the wood is exposed to be, well, exposed. I am sticking foam underneath and spray foaming around the edges (I think) and it should keep the moisture mostly out. And at my age, the trailer will probably outlive me. But I like building stuff to last. Even painting the holes with the paint that I used on the bottom of the floor will probably be enough for the next guy that gets the trailer.

[printer]

See, now you can tell the wife/girlfriend, "It could be worse." Took a trim router and trimmed off the front, top and back edges. The box fan and pleted filter in front of it was just to make me feel good, not sure it made much good.

[printer]

There was some irregularities in the frame that I used a belt sander to sand the different pieces flush with each other. But when gluing in the foam I end up with some places where the foam is proud of the wood. I need to get them flush with the wood. Either the foam comes down or I build up the wood and surface flush with the foam.

[tony.latham]

There was some irregularities in the frame that I used a belt sander to sand the different pieces flush with each other. But when gluing in the foam I end up with some places where the foam is proud of the wood. I need to get them flush with the wood. Either the foam comes down or I build up the wood and surface flush with the foam.

I take it down with a random orbital and 80 grit paper. It’s a quick fix.

A Surform would probably work.

T


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[printer]

Not quite enough difference for a Surform. Sander is kind if messy. Just became real cold outside can't toss it on the deck. A hotwire cutter would really stink up the house. Why am I building this right now?

[tony.latham]

Why am I building this right now?

'Cause camping season is right around that corner you can see way off in the distance.

Tony

[DaddyJeep]

Not quite enough difference for a Surform. Sander is kind if messy. Just became real cold outside can't toss it on the deck. A hotwire cutter would really stink up the house. Why am I building this right now?

Quit being a sissy. Put your coat on, take that thing outside, and get it done.

[printer]

Not quite enough difference for a Surform. Sander is kind if messy. Just became real cold outside can't toss it on the deck. A hotwire cutter would really stink up the house. Why am I building this right now?

Quit being a sissy. Put your coat on, take that thing outside, and get it done.

But it is -10 F out!

[tony.latham]

But it is -10 F out!

When I was your age, that was a nice 4th of July day.

T