Okanagan build - my first Teardrop

[Koko65]

Hello All.

Just wanted to post an update on the build so far.

I ended up altering the profile a bit by stretching it a further six inches. This will insure that I have enough leg room (I'm 6'3"). I was then able to finalize the layout of the cabinets on the profile. I still have not decided if I'm going to make or buy the doors. Buying would be so simple to install, but cost between 4 or 5 hundred I suspect. Also I would have to wait till they arrive in order to mark them out on the profile before I cut the walls. Decisions, decisions...

I was able to get the frame primed and painted and the floor built. Walls are next!

Here are some pics.

Everyone asks for pictures with saw dust... here ya go!


For the ends of the floor I tapered the end pieces.


Laying out the cabinets.


Floor Frame assembled, testing the fit.


Testing the colour of the paint. I was happy with it so I cleaned up the frame, primed, and then painted it.


I skinned both sides of the floor with 1/4" ply and placed foam insulation in between. Here is the floor with everything but the kitchen sink on it to apply pressure on the sandwich.


This is the roadside getting a nice healthy coating of black goo.




Can't wait to get started on the next phase. Bit by bit...


Take care
Onno

[Koko65]

I have starting building the walls. In order to cut out the skins from the pattern I added a base to the jig saw. This allows me to quickly follow a pattern and leave just a small amount of waste to be cleaned up with a router.

[img][img]http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6056/6383489241_f28cafb129_z.jpg[/img]
Jig saw jig by Onno 65, on Flickr[/img]

You can just see the kerf left behind by the jig saw on the left side of the photo

Onno

[WhitneyK]

Ohno,

Good idea! That should cut down on the amount of material being thrown into your face while using the router, I'll have to try that.

[Koko65]

I cut out the doors once the profile was cut out. Because it's just 1/8" thick material I just used a sharp knife and an Exacto knife to cut them out. That should leave plenty of material for skinning the doors later.

[img][img]http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6213/6383622501_a73eb8805d_z.jpg[/img]
Cutting out the wall skins by Onno 65, on Flickr[/img]

[img][img]http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6042/6383623947_e52c9da3bd_z.jpg[/img]
Doors cut out by Onno 65, on Flickr[/img]

I better get back to the shop and start with the wall framing.

Onno

[Koko65]

I was able to get one wall frame complete today. I have all the parts cut for the next one so that should go quicker tomorrow.


[img][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7143/6387209837_12e55fbbb6_z.jpg[/img]
Wall frame by Onno 65, on Flickr[/img]

Lots of little blocks to cut out.
[img][img]http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6032/6387211171_433407f3a3_z.jpg[/img]
Wall frame by Onno 65, on Flickr[/img]

Glue and screwing together.
[img][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7019/6387213691_be08ed6527_z.jpg[/img]
Wall frame by Onno 65, on Flickr[/img]



Blocking in place for cabinets and profile routed out.
[img][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7159/6387219617_253c83f553_z.jpg[/img]
Wall frame by Onno 65, on Flickr[/img]

We'll see what we can get done tomorrow. Ciao for now.

Onno

[ohbugger]

Great work!

[jonnyo]

where are you from in the okanagean?!?

i m having a great time also building a little trailer as we sure live in one of the best place for camping! Keep the good work,

[Koko65]

We live in Winfield, on Sunburned hill. We have a nice view of Wood Lake from here.

[img][img]http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6114/6389799365_0ac91eb66b_z.jpg[/img]
Our house and the valley by Onno 65, on Flickr[/img]


Onno

[Koko65]

I was able to get the second frame done today. I ran out of framing lumber so I had to spend most of the day milling more, man, that makes a lot of saw dust. The rough lumber I am using yields me four 1x4s and the resulting waste should be perfect for roof spars, I hope. I'll need to double check that I have blocking in the right spots before closing in all up. I'll run some conduit for a wall switch too. Is there anything else I should do now?

[img][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6392590513_50cf5ec4b1_z.jpg[/img]
Wall frame complete by Onno 65, on Flickr[/img]

Back to work tomorrow The tear will have to wait a bit for the next step.

Onno

[Koko65]

Quick update and more photos.

Before making sandwiches I added some extra blocking for the doors and fenders. Then I cut out the ledge where the headliner will sit.

I used an edge guide on the router to remove the excess from the wall frame. The cutoffs will be used for blocking later.
[img]

Teardrop Build-59 by Onno 65, on Flickr[/img]

Here my wife is helping make sandwiches. Is that glue she is spreading or mayonnaise?
[img][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6440257925_24df2721d5_z.jpg[/img]
Teardrop Build-61 by Onno 65, on Flickr[/img]

After the framing was glued in place, we added insulation into the voids.
[img][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6440258693_3df1057448_z.jpg[/img]
Teardrop Build-62 by Onno 65, on Flickr[/img]

With both skins on I was able to cut them to shape with the router. The seam at the back is where a bulkhead will sit. I just need to cut out the door and the walls will be done!
[img][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6440261449_f8c181af2c_z.jpg[/img]
Teardrop Build-67 by Onno 65, on Flickr[/img]

I hope I can keep up this pace. Getting finished before spring should be achievable.

Onno

[aggie79]

Very nice Onno,

Wonderful construction techniques and beautiful teardrop profile! It's almost time to stand up the walls.

Take care,
Tom

[Koko65]

Thanks Tom. I am hoping to stand up the walls next week. I have one bulkhead to build and I should put on some finish on the inside walls while they're still easy to get at.

Onno

[Koko65]

Finally I am back in the game!

I ended up building a new fireplace for our house over the last month or so and have had no time to work on the tear. With that out of the way I have begun again. I am presently working on the doors, then I will build the main bulkhead. So standing up the walls is coming soon. I am really looking forward to that moment so I can see what she is going to look like. I have a couple of days off coming soon so hopefully I'll make some more progress then. I'll post more pics as they become available...


Onno

[Koko65]

New fireplace by Onno 65, on Flickr

This is the fireplace I was building instead of the teardrop. Sorry for being off topic.

Onno

[Koko65]

Time to make some door sandwiches. Here is one of the windows I picked up at an RV shop not too far away.