Dash Camper

[CarlLaFong]

Wow! Nice cuts. Wish I could cut that accurate!

You can. It's all in using templates and straight edges.
BTW, I thought I was the only one with three drill presses!?!?

[theDangerz]

The shop you see in photos is a local community shop that i am involved in.
I actually do a work/trade where i work a few shifts a week in exchange for membership.

The shop means access to good quality tools (including a CNC machine that makes VERY clean cuts) and space to work.
It also has a big community of thinkers and makers (including a group of boat builders)...
which is probably where i got the inspiration to tackle this project in the first place

[CarlLaFong]

I need to sell a few drill presses, welders and disc sanders (3 each) and get me one of those snazzy CNC routers

[theDangerz]

or find a community shop to conveniently donate your time!

[theDangerz]

Finally- a build day.

Kind of a slow start. Mostly cleanup of all the edges and taking stock of what ive got.

The floor got half way assembled and i recessed some holes to allow for the bolts on the trailer (so it would still sit flush on the trailer.).


Our floor also has the lower curve built into it, so we had to tilt things us to confirm fit and curve in relation to the floor.
It was amazing to see the shape turn into a 3d object (even if hollow and supported by clamps)!




Jen took the time to put a note on the trailer to make sure no one cuddled up inside over night while we were away...
now, the only problem is- its going to seem like were moving backwards when we take the walls off in the morning.

[Colemancooler]

very nice!

[theDangerz]

A bit more action to report, mostly in the insulation department.


the floor now has insulation


and the lower curves have been fabricated


the gaps in the side walls are now also filled in with insulation cut to size.


looked a lot better when things were standing upright- but at least there's still progress

[theDangerz]

been a busy week.
started laminating the bamboo skin onto the skeleton walls.

the inside was difficult to clamp due to the routing, but the outside skin was easy thanks to some homemade abs pipe clamps.
they saved us a ton of money over the spring clamps and worked great.









today we epoxied the interior surfaces prior to install.
its amazing the richness added after a quick coat of epoxy.





also started on piecing together the galley cabinets

[theDangerz]

Still trudging on.
Finally got the cabinets far enough along to tilt things up and start working on it as one camper.
really gratifying day, but should have planned ahead to ask for a few more hands. Once again the community workspace came in handy as others came running over to help lift/clamp/support.







Dog seems to like the doghouse...

Currently working on the galley and front cabinets.
hadnt really fully planned these before getting underway so were figuring out what we want from the cabinets and workspace as we go.

[3nero]

Looking really good. Loving the ABS clamps, I'm going to add lots of those to my tool box

[_Ryan_]

Wow, looking good! Those homemade clamps are pretty ingenious, I might have to make some myself. I can't wait to see more updates!

Have you decided what you are doing for your hatch hinges?

Cheers,
Ryan

[theDangerz]

thanks guys

the "clamps" save us a ton of cash ad have worked out great, especially when laminating.

i keep thinking about the bifold option for the galley hatch,but i think im just going to keep it simple with the short swing up hatch.
likely will have the bottom portion swing down (maybe with a simple piano hinge as its pretty protected form weather) so that i can remove the mattress and store other large items.

iif you mean hardware, i bought frank's hurricane hinge. if anyone has installed the hurricane hinge with concealed screws (on the inside rather than on the roof), id love to see photos before the hinge arrives!!

[_Ryan_]

I bought frank's hurricane hinge. if anyone has installed the hurricane hinge with concealed screws (on the inside rather than on the roof), id love to see photos before the hinge arrives!!

Could you explain this a bit further? I've installed this exact hinge but I don't quite understand what you are speaking about. As far as I could tell there is only one way to install the hinge, although I have seen or heard of people who have installed the body side flange underneath the top skin on the outside.

[theDangerz]

I bought frank's hurricane hinge. if anyone has installed the hurricane hinge with concealed screws (on the inside rather than on the roof), id love to see photos before the hinge arrives!!

Could you explain this a bit further? I've installed this exact hinge but I don't quite understand what you are speaking about. As far as I could tell there is only one way to install the hinge, although I have seen or heard of people who have installed the body side flange underneath the top skin on the outside.

I hadnt thought of installing the flange under the skin. if you could point me in the right direction of any examples that would be awesome.

when i was talking with frank he explained that it was possible remove both flanges (cut them off with a table saw) and instead of screwing through the outside you could screw through the face and effectively hid almost the entire hinge. I certainly don't see any examples of this in the galleries and was just wondering if anyone has tried.

[MrMatt]

I am just curious about the bamboo you are covering your trailer with. Is that a veneer? Is it easy to work with? Expensive?