Check my young Montana logic

[claw73]

Well crap guys... I went to the local stores today and could not find 1/8 inch stuff anywhere. The actual local lumber store said they don't ever carry 1/8 inch plywood or luan and the guys at Home Depot and Lowes didn't even know what luan was...

I can find 1/4" plywood but what can I use for the 1/8 replacement? I was hoping to have 1/4 on both sides of the sandwich for the bottom, then for the outsides on each side, and ideally the top if possible even though my tightest radius is 24" and I have no steamer. Any ideas? Has anyone used the paneling stuff available? I'm pretty bummed right now since I was going to pick everything up Tuesday morning and get to building.

[bobhenry]

They are dumb asses 1/4" luan is there you may have to read the tags and help yourself since none of them actually no what a lumber yard is.

The store has an office go there and ask if anyone in the store is capable of finding this elusive critter. I guarantee you 1/4 luan is there.

This little doggie tear has a 9" radius and it is bent with 1/4 inch. Yes I had to wet it with 180 degree hot water and let it soak with a towel laying over it but it bent around a 9" radius.

[Ageless]

Typical HD don't keep the luan with standard ply; find where the masonite is and it's there

[claw73]

Thanks guys, if nothing else it was just nice to hear others vent about the same things. Do you think the 1/4" luan would bend around a 2 foot radius without hot water? If it will work, would 1/4" luan work for everything? Or do I need thicker for the main walls? I've seen others comment that they did 1/2" and it was excessive, but 1/4" sure seems thin for everything.

Once I get all this worked out, I'll start looking at electrical

[Ageless]

I wouldn't let water anywhere near the luan! It's labeled as 'water resistant' which is a joke. I had it delaminate just from dew in the morning.

[claw73]

Ageless, even with an epoxy coating? I'm actually thinking of a rhino-lined roof. I saw it somewhere else and thought it looked pretty awesome. Would either of those seal luan enough to be used?

[bobhenry]

I wouldn't let water anywhere near the luan! It's labeled as 'water resistant' which is a joke. I had it delaminate just from dew in the morning.

Damn I didn't know I couldn't steam it ! Guess I just got lucky HUH ?

[claw73]

WOOHOO here is the start! By the way, how and when should I get this moved to a building thread?

Here is my trailer, with the lights and whatnot on, as has been the way since I built it 6 or 7 years ago.


And here is the 1/4" Luaun with 2x2 framing and a 2x4 in the center.


I also added 1.5" foam insulation in the gaps. Then I flipped it all over and added fiberglass resin to the surface to seal the luaun. This will be the very bottom of my teardrop. I have another 1/4" luaun sheet so that tomorrow, after I bolt this piece to the trailer, I can glue (liquid nails) the top piece to this base. I also hope to have at least one wall up tomorrow, if not both.

So far:
(2) 1/4" 4'x8' luaun
(4) 2"x2" lumber
(1) 1.5" 4'x8' rigid foam insulation
(3) tubes of liquid nails
1lb 1" drywall screws
1lb 2" gold screws
1 gallon epoxy resin

I'm using the 2" screws to hold the 2x2s together and the 1" screws to hold the luaun to the 2x2s, with liquid nails in between everything as well. This will be the same tomorrow with the walls except instead of 2x2s and 1x3s and instead of 1.5" insulation I will be using .75".

Any tips or words of caution? I figured the epoxy will be fine and would be useful for the walls instead of also buying emulsion.

Thanks!!!

[parnold]

Great start! I'm jealous.. been raining here so long I changed my plans to an ark!

[doris s.]

Parnold,

I open my tear drop today after all that rain last weekend. Everything was wet. The rain came down sideways and came thru the door hinges. I had to take the bedding and pillows out to dry. Needless to say I was not a happy camper. You guys in NJ got not only rain but a bunch of wind. Crazy spring weather!

Doris

[claw73]

Yeah, I have to get it fairly sealed up and tarped after tomorrow because we are supposed to have a spring snow storm on Thursday.

[BillandMarijo]

Welcome and Enjoy the build,
Bill and Marijo

[claw73]

Here is the summary of yesterdays build: AHHHHH!!! The epoxy hadn't set yet, and neither had most of the liquid nails!!! Not to mention when I flipped the bottom onto the trailer and put some bolts in it, the 3" were too long by 1/4".

Still, I got the side panels cut out and sanded to a fairly good curve. I also got the new bolts I think that and the snow storm killed my chances of having the trailer 85% done by Sunday. My definition of 85% is that walls, majority of bulkhead and majority of roof would be on, so I can drive it from where it is now and being built to my apartment for finishing touches (Hatch, cabinets, etc)

Sorry for a lack of pics and, by the current weather, I may not build anything today.

[claw73]

Alright, day three! Today I got a wall framed and the door cut out! I know it doesn't sound like much but it was supposed to be snowing today so I'm pretty happy. Now the bottom is sealed on the bottom, countersunk and bolted down, with the cabin side of the bottom glued on.

This is the wall


Hopefully this weekend I can get the other wall to this point and start investigating wiring. Then insulate and probably have to wait until the next payday!!

Then spars, ceiling, roof, hatch......At least it is starting to look like a tear!

[Conestoga]

claw, about the rhino liner,
i remember seeing two builds,

here is a recent one "Dream Inn"
http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=30597

the other i don't remember where i read it but the builder was disappointed with some aspect of it.