Hello from Michigan

[mreidsma]

Hello all,

I've been lurking for quite a while, and finally decided to get my hands dirty - sort of. I'm building a really small little "backyard" teardrop-ish shelter as a place to do some work, reading, napping, and drawing in my urban back yard (and probably get some quiet from the kids in our small house). Its only 6 feet long, no plans for a galley, and a mere 2 feet wide. (It's cold in Michigan, and I'm building it in my basement, so it has to fit through the basement door: 26 1/2") Tiny! It'll roll around the back yard on some heavy-duty pneumatic casters, rather than a trailer. It's built out of mostly salvaged wood and stuff I have lying around the house. I've got the base built, and the sides cut, and I have a grand total of $37 into it so far. If there is interest, I'll put some photos in my gallery once I get the sides on and it looks like something more than a pile of scrap wood.

I like to think of it as a scaled down mock-up of the teardrop my wife and I would like to build in the next few years, once our kids are a little older and we get back to camping more regularly.

Anyway, I'm already using a zillion things I learned from the forum, and just want to say thanks to everyone who has shared their builds here. Such a great resource!

-Matthew

[bobhenry]

" The escape pod "







Well the all gotta have a name !

[Roly Nelson]

Hi Matthew, welcome to the forum. I do believe you are the first buider to create a scaled down version of what you someday hope to build full size. I've been making scale models for years, out of cereal box cardboard, 1 inch equals 1 foot. Works good for me, and it looks like your 'model' will actually be big enough to sleep in, plus, work, reading and drawing. I doubt you will be able to roll over once you are inside, and reading and drawing can be done in a somewhat cramped, but quiet enviroment. I am really anxious to see pics of your creation, 2 ft wide, 6 ft long and I guess, 4 ft high. Good luck, and enjoy your new-found escape pod, once it is finished.
Roly, also one who builds tiny.......but liveable and towable.

[mreidsma]

Thanks, Roly! I'm skinny, so that helps.

I've read and re-read your posts about the Half and Quarter Nelson, so they definitely helped with the inspiration. I originally was thinking of making something like "The Hickshaw", but wasn't wild about the shape. Once I realized that what I wanted wasn't *that* much smaller than an Teardrop, I went with it.

I made several 1" = 1 foot paper models to determine what the profile would be. I was leaning towards a Benroy (bending plywood intimidates me, I thought the Benroy would have less of it), but my wife preferred more of a curve at the back. I figured it would be good practice for the real thing! The models definitely helped, showing us things we didn't see on paper. (Plus it was really fun!)

-Matthew

[Roly Nelson]

Your choice of a benroy shape, provides a bigger counter top and the maximum storage space in the galley, because the lower part of the hatch lid is vertical. Now, regarding bending plywood. Not to worry, I have found that an 1/8th inch thick section of plywood can easilly be curved over a fairly tight radius. The key is to run the grain across the teardrop, not lengthwise from front to back. In order to make a scoop for my airconditioner in the tongue box, I actually bent 2 layers of 1/8th inch around an 8 inch PVC pipe, glued together and wrapped with dozens of wraps of nylon construction twine. The more wraps, the tighter the pressure, kind of like wrapping string around your finger, again and again, ouch. Good luck, take pics, and get down in the basement and get-er-done.
Roly

[mreidsma]

I love the name escape pod! Got a little start over the past few days. Tonight I started getting the walls up - because of my lack of space I put up the plywood and am framing them while standing. A little backwards, but it's working. I put some photos up in an album, and who knows, maybe I'll start a build journal!



-Matthew

[deleted]

Welcome to the forum Matthew! Best wishes on your build. Last year I spent a few nights sleeping on my 17" wide counter when I needed to turn my 4'x6' trailer into a sleeper for two. It worked just fine so I'm sure your 24" wide will feel fantastically large and spacious

[mreidsma]

Thanks, Stacie! I've made some more progress, and it's roomier inside than I thought. My 4yo and I hung out in the shell each reading the other day, and we didn't feel scrunched. I also just found a 25" square window sash at the Restore that will give. E a much larger window than before, which should also help with the spaciousness.

Here's where I'm at now:

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1423339994.614747.jpg (121.93 KiB) Viewed 1046 times

Looks like you're not far from here, either. It's balmy 40 degree days like this that have me itching to get this thing outside!

-Matthew

[Tabazooron]

Welcome and best of luck with your build.
Can't wait to see the finished product.

[mreidsma]

Thanks, everyone! I started a build journal here: http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=62440

-M