The Astroliner

[dales133]

Nice work mate she looks awesome. Maybe float the roof but add some rows of polyurethane adhesive down the centerline for additional support

[Atomic77]

Thanks mate... and not a bad idea at all on the polyurethane.

[Atomic77]

Thank you Vedette... She's getting there!

[KCStudly]

+1. Looking really good.

[aggie79]

+1. Looking really good.

Add me to the list - looks fantastic!

[Atomic77]

Thanks guys. It's getting there. But it's difficult now that I can only work on it every other weekend. I don't feel like I can accomplish much. But I'm thankful for a warm place indoors big enough to do it. Plus my Brother always lends a hand and adds perspective and ideas which I appreciate. Racing season is just around the corner...and I know when that starts the project will come to a screeching halt...

[KCStudly]

...I'm thankful for a warm place indoors big enough to do it. Plus my Brother always lends a hand and adds perspective and ideas which I appreciate....

Exactly the situation I am in (except my commute is shorter and I can get to my build much more often). Having my friend's encouragement, hands on perspective and occasional helping hand, not to mention the "use of the hall", was instrumental in my decision to take on the challenge of home building. Can't thank him enough and can't imagine trying to build in my own cramped shop.

The benefit will outweigh the inconvenience.

[Atomic77]

Everything that I had planned to do this weekend did not work out. When I got down to the shop, I was devastated to find the ceiling inside had bowed in several places. We attribute it to the rapid changing of temperature in the shop. We spent an entire day removing all of this spars with a saws-all, because each spar was glued and screwed in with Hysol. We were able to straighten out the ceiling and rip new 2x2 spars and get things back in order. 16 tubes of construction adhesive and 49 support stilts later and Carrie and I were able to save it. But we lost an entire day. Some extra measures were taken to insure this doesn't happen again. I also did some paint work, on the door and the hatches. I attached a preview of the paint. The reflection is amazing. Also, my brother who is an electrical genius, (he really is) helped me get all the wiring in that had to go in the ceiling prior to the Luan. (Ceiling light, roof fans and tail lights).

[KCStudly]

So did the ceiling pull away from the spars, or did the spars warp?

Regardless of the setback, it looks like you are back on track.

[Atomic77]

The ceiling pulled away from the spars. We're not using any fasteners, only glue. We just didn't have enough props installed. So we quadrupled it. And added more glue. The props can stay in there for the next two weeks.

[dales133]

Sorry to hear about your setback that sucks!
Better for it to delaminate now though if it was going to rather than when it was complete!
Looking good though

[Atomic77]

That's very true. And the second time around we figured out some things that made it even better. Live and learn!

[capnTelescope]

I did just about everything twice. Once according to plan, and a second time according to reality. I feel your pain.

[Atomic77]

Yeah, it kinda sucks. But we were very lucky that we didn't lose the bamboo paneling on the ceiling. When I first saw it, I was completely sick to my stomach. I knew the only way to fix it was to take it apart...but I was picturing a dumpster with everything in it. But... my brother and I removed the spars...which wasn't fun since we used Hysol to bond everything together. We were careful not to damage the ceiling, and as the spars came out one by one, the bows came out. We were very lucky...

[Atomic77]

I went down to the shop for the day. The ceiling looks great and all is well. Tragedy averted. Now I have 49 2x2 stakes that I have no idea what to do with.
Today I started putting on the exterior Luan. It's really taking shape and looking great. I framed in the rear windows. (Plural). We started out with one Stargazer window, but aesthetically we felt like two made better use of the space. So we have another on order. I also worked on my plans for the taillights. I still have a bit to hash out but they are coming along. I'm making my own LED tail lights out of '65 Impala and '60 El Camino lights. I'll post pictures of my creation when I'm a little farther along on that project. Here are some pictures from today...