New build in Maine started

[toypusher]

Thanks for the encouragement. There has been a fair share of frustration when trying to build this single handed and a few choice words in there as well!
When out today I saw what looked like a silver Benroy heading out of Brunswick ME, I was 3 lanes over going the other direction so I did not have a chance to see where it was headed. I wish I could have talked to the owner.
About a week ago I saw what looked like an older teardrop in Freeport ME like it had corrugated sides and a front window. No idea what it was but it was in a teardrop shape!

Looking forward to seeing mine on the road!

Yeah, I know whatcha mean. I built my entirely by myself also!

[NathanL]

Stanely makes these things called a Stanely Panel Carry you can pick up for less than $10 to carry plywood sheets...or you can make one out of wood in a few minutes. It won't help balance a wall to get it attached but it makes carrying plywood sheets by yourself much easier.

[sschevel]

I have never seen one! Wish I had it when moving the larger stuff. I ended up using tie downs to tie "up" the walls in the garage to get them in place on the trailer floor, was not pretty but they are on there and seem to be holding up well, then after adding in the front and rear walls, the entire setup is very sturdy now. Once I get a few layers of resin on the outside shell it will be plenty stiff and ready for the road!
Course I have to remember to bolt the tear to the frame and weld the axle group to the frame before heading down the road!

[toypusher]

I have never seen one! Wish I had it when moving the larger stuff. I ended up using tie downs to tie "up" the walls in the garage to get them in place on the trailer floor, was not pretty but they are on there and seem to be holding up well, then after adding in the front and rear walls, the entire setup is very sturdy now. Once I get a few layers of resin on the outside shell it will be plenty stiff and ready for the road!
Course I have to remember to bolt the tear to the frame and weld the axle group to the frame before heading down the road!

Excellent ideas!

[aggie79]

Guy,

You are moving along quite nicely. Your teardrop is really looking good!

I think you've come up with some innovative ways to work by your self. As far as the heavy lifting, you are done with that part of your build. Now it's on to the finish details (of course after you've finished the outside.)

Keep those pictures coming!

Tom

[S. Heisley]

About a week ago I saw what looked like an older teardrop in Freeport ME like it had corrugated sides and a front window.

Counting your's, there are at least half a dozen, maybe more, in Maine. My sister's friend was at a parade there, yesterday, and saw a white one with orange fenders, too.

You're doing a good job and working pretty quickly, especially for working alone. I look forward to seeing more!

[S. Heisley]

I was thinking about you building by yourself and just had to log back on and write a few more words.

When you get ready to cover that front vertical curve with plywood, it would be best if you had a second person there to help you, even if you have to hire a local teenager or something...especially since you are planning on building a woody-style teardrop.

Here's my story of woe: I made the mistake of putting my front plywood on by myself, in an enclosed garage, in 90 degree heat and I said the 'S' word so many times that it is a wonder that my garage didn't start to smell like a methane factory! I thought it would be easy; but, the combination of the weight of the plywood and the slippery glue made the plywood not want to stay anywhere near in place and it would actually pull out of the brads. I ended up using a few small wire nails to get it started and then supplemented with the brads. But, the plywood even pulled out of the first couple nails. Finally, I made certain that everything I needed was within the arms reach while I continuously leaned on the panel and hammered in a few more brads. Once I could get it to stay, I was able to add some ratchet straps and that helped a lot. Then, I injected a little extra glue along the edges and that helped even more. Luckily for me, I plan to paint my TTT; so, I put a nice layer of fiberglass thread reinforced epoxy filler over the area where the ply pulled away from the brads and nails and followed up with fiberglass tape. ...It wasn't pretty when I was doing it and neither was I!

...Hopefully, yours will go better. It looks like you've had more experience with wood projects. But, still, I would opt for that warm body with a second pair of hands.

[sschevel]

Well I hoped to get the wire in today so I could head over to putting the top on tomorrow with some help, but then to get called in for part time work so being short on hours for the next 2 weeks, I took the extra day and lost the help.

Course there is something to being able to say I built it myself!

Right now I have my plywood curled up with some tie down strips into a curve that is more than the tear curve which will help when it goes on.

[Papi]

I can't wait to be as far along as you. I like how you used a lot of spars in the roof; to me just using a couple here and there doesn't seem strong.

[steve smoot]

Here is a demo of how to use the plywood carrier...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9fyquOIw1Y

[Vindi_andy]

Looked all over but cant find this product in the UK Can only find the metal ones which are £16 or more

OK forget that found them on ebay at 4.22 and free postage

[down under tech]

Here is one you can get at Harbor Freight. It is on sale too for less than $2. I bought one a couple of years back from there but it is made of steel. These will save you a lot of aggravation.

http://www.harborfreight.com/panel-carrier-98551.html

[sschevel]

I can't wait to be as far along as you. I like how you used a lot of spars in the roof; to me just using a couple here and there doesn't seem strong.

Well the reason for the increased number of spars goes like this.
1. I want a queen bed that demands a 5 foot wide
2. I found a set of queen bed slats for 5 bucks
3. Although they were plywood, they were all cut perfectly at 60 inches
4. Ripped them down allowed a 1 X 3/4 board and I could use more to get around the curves with less span and have 2 out of the original one board
5. While not overly strong alone, once glued between 2 layers of sheeting (roof and ceiling) they should be plenty strong to hold what little weight that will ever be placed on the roof (wind, rain, winter snow if left outside)

I did leave the board 2 X 3/4 on each side of the fan (all four sides of the fan).

Just guess-ta-mated the gap between them to something that looked right and I ended up using all the slats.

After sheeting the roof, I will mix fiberglass and likely will put down some cloth over the seam to ensure water tight teardrop. Hope to get some roof on tomorrow since I just finished up the wiring in the roof panel.

Thanks for the support and comments!

[YuGun]

what a good tool to handle plywood sheets.

[NathanL]

Here's plans to make one of those carriers without having to buy one out scrap plywood.

http://www.runnerduck.com/plycarrier.htm