Tear'n-it-up from North Dakota!

[logan.tong]

Greetings Droppers!

I've been lurking around this community for a while now, and I figured its about time to introduce myself, and my project.

My name is Logan, and I am currently a graduate student at The University of North Dakota, studying educational technology. My department is unique, in that we pair graphic design, and industrial technology under the same roof. I earned my bachelors degree in graphic design, but I'm not content with just solving design problems on a screen. I spend quite a bit of my "free" time in our manufacturing lab learning all I can about the various tools and machinery.

As a child, my dad had a decent workshop, where he taught me to work with wood. I was using a wood lathe before I was tall enough to see over it without a stool. Dad also took me tent camping, where I learned that sleeping in a tent is awful, but the outdoors make up for it.

Fast forward a few decades, and I learn about homebuilt teardrop trailers from a 1940 Popular Mechanix article posted on reddit.com. The seed was planted!

Through conversation with one of my department's manufacturing professors, I discover he too wanted to build one, though lacked the opportunity... and more importantly, the approval of his wife. Thankfully, my fiancé loves the outdoors, as I do, and loathes tents the same. After some discussion, my professor and I settled on building my very own teardrop in our shop. As educators, it seemed only natural to turn this into a learning experience for students. After all, we are using the shop and tools their (and my) tuition and fees paid for ;-).

Currently, I am refining plans in Sketchup and AutoCAD, and we are preparing lesson plans for students to get hands-on-experience building the various components of my teardrop! Under careful supervision, of course.

So there it is. We've got the (HF 4x8 1720#) trailer built. I've bought all the essential materials to get the basic structure going, and students will start working on framing and cabinetry in the coming weeks. I'm sure I will be searching these forums daily as we progress, and I look forward to being part of the community!

[dexstrom]

Welcome, that's a great group effort and learning experience you are doing. Post lots of pics and details.

[pchast]

Welcome!

Thats a tremendous learning experience. But,,,
We'd love to see pictures as you progress. Include
class pictures too if allowed.

[logan.tong]

Pictures are being taken. I'm also working on a time-lapse of our shop as the build progresses!

[bc toys]

Welcome to this great site of info hope to see pics of your build

[AZ_Desert_Rat]

Hi Logan and welcome aboard!!!
What a great idea and learning experience for you and the students

I am retired now, but with an engineering degree, having learned many mechanical techniques through a machinery apprenticeship, and finally taught aircraft engine maintenance courses around the world for 25 years, I can fully understand it when and why you seek to learn and pass on your knowledge ... fantastic

Good luck and maybe we'll get a chance to share thoughts around a campfire

Good luck and please keep us in the loop as to what is happening and don't forget the pictures