lil vardo 2

[mezmo]

Hi Deryk,

I came across this web site a while ago and just found it again.

Here is a link to a German 'Shepherd's Car' [hut/cart] -SchaeferWagen
or SchaferWagen. These are much simpler than even vardos. These are
smaller and even cuter than Vardos. Here is a modern-day mfr's website:

http://www.schaeferwagen.de/
http://www.schaeferwagen.de/schaeferwagen.html

Just a FYI for future Inspiration.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Deryk the Pirate]

Hey Norm,

I agree, it is a mighty fine looking trailer. I wish the site was also in english lol.

From build 1 to 2 Ive decided I really prefer working with the tongue and groove wood then plywood. Easier because each piece is smaller and lighter and it does look nicer imho, a few of the pics show it attached to a smaller suv (the big tandem wheel pic with the tiny car attached to it is probably a joke lol)

always a possibility! Thanks for the link!

deryk

[aggie79]

Hey Norm,

I agree, it is a mighty fine looking trailer. I wish the site was also in english lol.

deryk

Here's the Google translation (English) of that site:

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.schaeferwagen.de%2F&sl=de&tl=en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

[campmaster-k]

I use Google Chrome. It always offers an English translation of foreign lang. sites.

[Deryk the Pirate]

Thanks!

[Deryk the Pirate]

Well made a little sawdust before it started to drizzle... really a rainey summer for us here this year, seriously slowed my build down.

I decided to use 1x6 tongue and groove pine for the roof instead of plywood. Its just so much easier to do alone because each piece is so much lighter. I found a local lumberyard that had 10' lengths for $4.65 each. The roof went on pretty easily, although I wish I snapped a pic of it, 2 of the boards were an inch longer then the others so I was useing the front of the trailer to square it to try to keep it even and I looked at the backside and 2 of them stick out a little further then the rest by about an inch....next weekend I will cut them even.

If finances hold, next weekend I will be putting the metal roof on and I can bring it home to fill screwholes, sand and prime and paint it.

I still need to build my galley on the back of the trailer. Its basically just a box, 6 feet long for storeing my stove and food related items, and my battery. I really like the way Bob had the boxes built onto the 2 swing out doors and puts the stove up top to cook on....i think Im gonna shoot for that plan myself, this way the food smells and grease wont be inside the vardo. I was looking at a 5 foot folding table at walmart http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-5 ... e/14119034 and make the box tall enough to put the table in there folded so I can use it as an extrawork surface or eat on.



my bed platform is going to be wider then this but gives an idea of how the bed will look across the back. I have an idea to make the bed frame 3' wide with a 2nd piece of wood over it that will pull out another 18" to get my full 54" full sized mattress with storage underneath. Couch by day, bed by night.

hmmm maybe next time I will use the template for the hinge and not cut out so much wood lol

All covered for the rain.... bleh

[S. Heisley]

You're moving along fast, as you did with the last one. Love the ceiling!
I look forward to more pictures and progress.

[aggie79]

Very nice Deryk!

I love the bead board plywood and the roof "beams". Looks great and is a very appropriate detail for a vardo.

Keep pushing forward!

Take care,
Tom

[Woodstramp]

Glad to see the Pirate is back to working on his land ship.

[Deryk the Pirate]

Thanks Folks! Lots of time and energy going into it...will be done soon(I hope lol). Oh and Tom, the roof is 1x6 Tongue and Groove flooring

[campmaster-k]

Good job Deryk. I love the Vardo. Someday I will build a little Gypsy.

[crumbruiser]

I love the ceiling! You do nice work very fast.
Frank

[Deryk the Pirate]

Well, never seem to get enough done lol. I started working on the Galley box, didnt make the shelves yet, but its 33" tall at the back, 31" at the front and 24" deep, 6 feet long. Should be able to hold enough kitchen stuff lol. I need to pick up the table I want and fit it in there before I start making shelves lol. The hinges are on, just need to get a slide bolt or 2 to keep them closed besides a lock.

I started getting the inside done, I used ply bead board http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Mater ... ogId=10053 Cut them in half and put them over 1" of foam insulation and shot them in place. I was actually barely smart enough to remember to run wires for inside lights before I put the back panels in.

I think I need to redo the smaller back panel, was getting dark as I put it in and I see the seem where the panels join...if not could always cover it with trim. Still need to do the door side front wall, then trim out the inside, and varnish it. I got a gallon of spar varnish to do the inside and the underside of the outside roof. Then start building the bunk to go across the back wall. I need to take a run at some point to IKEA and check their damaged/used display stuff and look for a foam mattress.

Im thinking of makeing the bed be able to slide from say 3' to 4.5' so it could be like a couch if Im alone, or during the day, then pull out to the full 54" width. Im going to have some space under the bed for storeing clothes and the bed linen's when its folded like a couch.

I have an idea for the air conditioner, Im thinking of building a box to contain the 5000btu window unit where it will vent outside from the back and a vent for the intake air, then on the inside have a little door on top of the box for turning it on and off and a vent for the cold air to come out of, then a vent on the side of the box for the return air. Although its not a high priority right at the moment since fall is definatly upon us lol been in the 50's during the day.

I also just ordered the bonding adhesive and am going to pick up a piece of 45 mil epdm. I want the roof on next weekend and start to prime it for painting!

deryk

[droid_ca]

looking good

What are the most significant changes have you made between build #1 AND BUILD #2 ?

[Deryk the Pirate]

Thanks!

Well, this is still a learning curve and Ive ideas for the next one lol. I think I prefered working with the tongue and groove paulownia because each individual piece is lighter and easier to move around. I do prefer the door being at the end of the vardo. much more of a traditional appearance. I was getting real tired of climbing over the tongue, so I laid 2 ieces of scrap 2x10's over it...eventually plan on bolting down some as a small deck.

Since weight isnt as big a deal, the ply beadboard should look great once its varnished and all trimmed out.

The first build I had 3 arches, 1 at each end and 1 in the middle. This time I did purlins, and I do notice a slight sag in the middle. Im thinking the next build I want to add 2 arches inside similar to how steve did his vardo, of laminated strips. Im thinking it will give it a little more firm support.

Im really liking the idea of the galley at the rear, so I wont have to move that stuff inside the vardo when I pack to leave.

I guess will see in a few weeks when Im actually able to use it.

deryk