Progress report:
I've been getting the camper ready to paint. I've been removing the windows, lights, doors, etc. I've also been filling low spots in the wood to get it smooth. When I have left over epoxy / filler I've been using it to start sealing the shower area, just to use it up. Will concentrate on the shower after the outside is complete. Got carried away with my sanding on the front curve and went through to the wood. Layed three more coats of epoxy on the front to seal it again. If all goes well the paint will go on next Sunday.
Hi Katherine,
I'm not sure what it weighs. The original Puffin built by Steve Wolverton weighed in at 796 lbs. I would guess mine will be heavier, due to a larger frame (5'x8' versus 4'x8'), and I probably over built in areas. also, I may have installed some things Steve didn't (RV power center, for one, and the on-demand water heater will be another) Would guess the final weight to be about 1000 lbs. I'll definately find out when its finished, just to satisfy my own curiousity. If you haven't stumbled on the original Puffin thread, do search for it--Steve's camper served as the model for my own.
For support I used closet rod brackets from Lowes. My 10 year old son currently weighs about 60 lbs. I'm guessing 2/3 of the weight (head to waist) will be supported by one end of the rod, and the remaining 1/3 of the weight (legs) will be supported by the other end. Even if/when my son weighs 100 lbs, that would be about 66 lbs at one end. I'm guessing that is will within the weight of a fully loaded clothes rod. I haven't decided on wood dowels or metal poles yet. I will make a little mockup outside the camper with 2x4s and an extra set of brackets and load one down until something fails just to be safe.
The wood the closet rod brackets are mounted on is poplar. Before I attached them to the walls I drilled holes for the closet rod brackets and installed t-nuts from the back side. The closet rod brackets are held on with Stainless Steel machine screws that screw into the t-nuts. The wood goes all the way to the floor of the camper, so the floor is supporting the weight, and they are screwed and glued to the sides of the camper.
I skinned it with 1/4" plywood. That seemed easier at the time. Were I to do it over I would probably do two layers of 1/8" on the curves for easier bending.
Hi Sharon,
Thanks for the kind words. I didn't realize they had stopped making the Boomerang pattern. Yep, I had to buy a 4x8 sheet. I
could sell my remaining piece, but it would also be nice to hang on to it in case I decide to build an outside table or something.
Will keep that in mind, though.
Cheers all,