Build Journal - "Class F Shuttle"

[jalmada]

This is the build log for my first teardrop trailer. I'm building off a Redtrailers 4 x 8 trailer that has been built for a long time, but never had progressed far in the project due to family concerns and health matters. Things have freed up to allow me to get back to this project. I am using a modification of the Vetsport-Extreme-SIPS-Microcamper as the basis for my own build and am tracking the progress on my Youtube channel.

The Vetsport design is found at http://www.instructables.com/id/Vetsport-Extreme-SIPS-Microcamper/

As you might guess, my teardrop is going to have a Star Trek theme to it. I've chosen the Vetsport since it's exterior layout is compatible with the design of an original series shuttlecraft from Star Trek. - It won't a perfect match to the original shuttle design, but the paint scheme and graphics will be similar and people will immediately get what I'm doing ;>) I haven't chosen a name for the trailer or what ship of the line my teardrop will belong to ;>) But that will be decided soon! The paint scheme will reflect that in the artwork.

At this point, I've got the floor all set to install on the completed redtrailers.com trailer and am proceeding forward. Will keep this log up as progress continues. ;>) My channel is called "Afterburner" and I'm keeping a regular series of videos coming along on this channel for this project and a number of others.

[greygoos]

Looking forward to following your build. The instructable that you refer to is what got me interested in the first place and wound up here. Good luck

[noseoil]

Good luck on your time line for the build. Looking forward to the finished camper & your first road trip!

[jalmada]

Thanks for the encouragements and I will definitely be sticking with this... I'd like to have this ready for it's first road trip sometime this summer. So, I'm working on it every day ;>)





I applied the Thompsons Water sealer on the deck today - two coats and am letting that dry before I flip the base and apply the Henry's asphalt emulsion and will let that dry a day or so before I secure the entire thing to the trailer itself. Onward!

[jalmada]

Discovered more issues with my plywood sheet - but overall, getting there with it. Added putty to fill in the remaining damage on the one side of the sheet and discovered some water damage from rain that got on the sheet at the end of May - Yes, California had more than enough rain and it lasted a lot longer than I had expected. Anyway, I'm going to cut out some of the damaged laminate and then glue down the parts that separated and clamp that to repair it and fill in with wood putty.

[Nobes]

Love the concept. Just perused various and sundry shuttle designs, and while type F is not my favorite--just a little clunky, you know?--it certainly seems the most buildable while on planet and subject to planetary gravity concerns, and it certainly gives you the most inside usable space. Live long and prosper.

[jalmada]

Yes on the Class F design - I've wrestled with a Next Generation shuttle concept, but the issue is the complexity and I'm new to all of this ;>) Sometimes simple is good for something you are just getting into for the first time.

[jalmada]

I had to pull my video from the latest work on the teardrop because I had a series of glaring errors on my part and also problems with the 4x8 sheet of plywood. So I'm "resetting" this and getting new supplies and coming back at it again this coming week. I'm re-shooting the video and coming at it fresh with lessons learned in mind and sharing what I have learned.

On a side note, I had been posting on more than one location about the progress on the teardrop and also a teardrop group on Facebook and have decided to just post to TNTT only. Long story. Anyway, it's good to settle that and focus energy in one place.

Anyway, I'm ordered the spade bits for drilling the attachment holes for the bolts to secure the new 4x8 sheet to the trailer and also went with an electric drill instead of the battery powered drill which did a number on the plywood - Oh the learning experiences I'm having!

[noseoil]

I use a spot-facer from aircraft work on some holes. A speed-bore type of bit works as well. I took one & re-profiled it on the bench grinder, to use with elevator bolts for the deck. Makes a flat bottom hole for the bolt to settle into. Look up elevator bolts online & see if they might work for your build.

[jalmada]

I use a spot-facer from aircraft work on some holes. A speed-bore type of bit works as well. I took one & re-profiled it on the bench grinder, to use with elevator bolts for the deck. Makes a flat bottom hole for the bolt to settle into. Look up elevator bolts online & see if they might work for your build.

I'll take a look at those - I'm new to all of this and I managed to make a mangled mess of the first sheet of plywood. Going to take it slower and really know what I'm doing before I make the next attempt. I have purchased some spade bits and a new electric drill - the drill I had first used was a battery powered one and it did not go well I'm sorry to say ;>) Anyway, I'm open to learning new thing and will take a look at these elevator bolts and learn more