The Cedar Shack - 95% done!

[Chuckles]

Hi, Chuck here. I have been lurking for at least a year and making, modifying, and remaking plans for my teardrop. I'm finally building!

I originally designed a rather large slouchy with a traditional shape. The plan was for cedar strip sides but at the last minute I switched to cedar plank construction then completely changed the style to match. It will have ash trim and cedar plank siding fastened with copper nails. I plan on fiber glassing the top and sides.



Yesterday I went shopping for materials and cut the pieces for the floor.



Has anyone used that double sided sticky tar strip for between the floor and the frame? My trailer is a converted boat trailer and the cross members of the frame are let into the outer channels so they are about an 1/8 inch lower than the outer rails. I was thinking the tar strips would fill the gap and provide some protection.

It's probably nuts but my goal is to have the Cedar Shack camp ready by the last week of July!!! Nothing like waiting until the last minute!

[Chuckles]

Today I finished the floor and bolted it to the frame. Time start the walls but I'm out of town for a few days. When I get back my windows, door handles, fantastic fan, and copper boat nails should be here waiting for me! I love new projects!

[Junkboy999]

Good start.

There has been a few quick builds. Just have to work at it. As long as you can get it watertight for camping or at least bring a tarp and some rope if it rains. A lot of Teardropers first time out camping is with just partially finished TD.

[Chuckles]

Well I finally got one of the walls complete. I'm not one for lots of detailed to-the-inch plans so I spent a lot of time pondering the details as I built. I plan on using this wall as a template for the next so that one should go a little quicker.



For you woodie builders, would you recommend glassing the walls while the are flat then glassing the roof and over the edge of the walls or would you glass the whole thing at once?

Chuck

[Juneaudave]

Nice! I would definately glass while the panel is laying down if I could.

[nevadatear]

What dave said

[Chuckles]

Thanks

The second wall should be ready for planking tomorrow and I plan on glassing the walls this weekend! I can't wait to see the walls up. I'll post some pics as soon as I can.

Unfortunately, when I was planning I was going strictly for function and aesthetics... no thought at all to efficient use of materials etc. As a result the walls are 64 inches high and the trailer is 66 inches wide so the standard 60 inch glass won't cover and I'll end up with lots of laps in the cloth. I'm thinking of glassing the sides from the bottom up and leaving the top 4 inches with no glass. Then when I do the roof I'll lap in the middle and let the glass hang over the sides about 6 inches to overlap the glass on the sides. Does this sound doable or am I asking for trouble?

[Juneaudave]

The only problem I see is with the overhang...fiberglass does not go around a sharp corner very well and the heavier the cloth, the more problematic that is. It might be better to just cut a natrrow strip to make up the difference on the sides. Alternatively, depending on your budget, it may be worth getting some 72" cloth. Raka has 72" 6 oz at less than $7/yard.

Just my opinion...hopefully someone with more glassing experience can chime in.

[Fyddler]

Man that's going to look sharp!

[Chuckles]

The only problem I see is with the overhang...fiberglass does not go around a sharp corner very well and the heavier the cloth, the more problematic that is. It might be better to just cut a natrrow strip to make up the difference on the sides. Alternatively, depending on your budget, it may be worth getting some 72" cloth. Raka has 72" 6 oz at less than $7/yard.

Just my opinion...hopefully someone with more glassing experience can chime in.

Unfortunately I already purchased the 60 inch glass (4 oz). I plan on routing a 3/8 inch roundover on the top and bottom edges. Hopefully that will make the transition easier. Also, no curves and lots of flats so that should help....Time will tell

I just realized today that the 4th may throw a wrench in plans. No UPS on the 4th so my epoxy probably won't be here until Monday. And I planned on glassing this weekend.

[Chuckles]

Finished sanding the second wall today.

Both walls pretty much take up most of the shop.

Tomorrow I will fill the knot holes and they should be ready for the epoxy fill coat on Monday. If everything goes to plan the fiberglassing will be done by Thursday and I should be working on the roof and cabinets by the end of the week.

I have exactly 20 days before our family camping trip ,,, I sure hope everything goes to plan because I have no time in the schedule for fixing screw-ups

Last year I promised my wife it would be the last year of sleeping on half inflated air mattresses.

[Larry C]

Hey Chuck,
Looking great! The epoxy will really make the cedar grain pop. If you a want a different color, now is the time. Aniline dyes are the best choice, but plain cedar also looks great. I can't tell from your photos if the walls are part of a sandwich panel or single wall. Are you glassing both sides of these panels?

[Chuckles]

Hey Chuck,
Looking great! The epoxy will really make the cedar grain pop. If you a want a different color, now is the time. Aniline dyes are the best choice, but plain cedar also looks great. I can't tell from your photos if the walls are part of a sandwich panel or single wall. Are you glassing both sides of these panels?

Thanks Larry,

1-1/4 inch thick sandwich wall construction...3/4 inch blocking and insulation, 1/4 inch birch ply interior and 1/4 inch cedar planks on the exterior. I'm going with the natural look and I'll glass the exterior only.

[ssj4jarrod]

That looks good, I just started mine today, and I hope to camp on Wednesday the 17th in mine. I will follow yours intently good luck sir.

[stonykill]

looks great. I love the natural cedar planking