4//11/13 - Eleven months later - back to work. Page 9

[millstone]

I have begun construction on a 5' x 5' x 10-6 foamie.

I am waiting for a 5 x 9 trailer that a buddy is building for me. Going to deck it with 1/2" plywood on a 2 x 2 frame, with below-deck storage, a'la Mike's standie.

I got hold of 12 pcs of 4 x 8 urethane foam panels for $12 each. They are 1.7" thick and have a fiberglass paper on each side. It's not tar paper, at least I don't think it is, but it has perforations every two inches. little tiny holes. The face is fiborous to the touch and I actually now have fiberglass in my skin. lol

I intend to have a standard galley in the back, and a bulkhead in the front that I can make some storage out of. A headboard that has opening doors for storage, then a couple narrow "closets" above.

I have a sketch of the profile. I'm not much of an artist, nor can I do sketchup or cad. I'll scan a pick of the profile in later, as soon as I find my sketch pad.



The panels are edge-glued with gorilla glue. They also have 3" x 3/4 dowels six inches from the bottom then every 12". Not sure what that'll do for it, but I thought what the hey.

I was mightilly impressed with the finish on the canvas with both the TBII and the exterior latex enamel paint I used in the adhesion tests. I think one or two more coats of paint will get that slightly bumpy but smooth finish that I was thinking of.




Hopefully I'll get my trailer this week and get the chance to make some sawdust next weekend.

Thanks.

M.[/img]

[GPW]

Mill, you might want to try a "flame test" , having a galley and all ... Urethane , as I recall needs a fire retardant coating ... perhaps canvas and glue would work as such ... ???

[millstone]

It's polyurethane (polyisocyanurate.) It doesn't burn, per-se, meaning it doesn't support combustion. It chars, but won't flame on its own, or melt.

But it's not the kind of stuff you want to throw into a campfire. The fumes are killer. Cyan_ _ _ gas.

For $15/sheet I had to give it a go. I think I said $12 in the previous post.

I'm going to have to do a lot of fairing when it's time. The panels are a bit ripply.


M.

[eaglesdare]

i don't think a galley will be a problem.. just no fire or major heat. but i have no problem with a skillet, or the electric water pot.
now fire will be in the fire ring provided at most campsites.

[GPW]

That was a Great price !!! Grant said it was his favorite foam ..

[millstone]

Well, I chickened out with the urethane foam. Was afraid of the grooves in the faces causing an inordinate amount of fairing. Also the panels have a bit of a "potato chip" warp in them. So, new sheets of fomular on the way. I will probably glue the urethane to the styrofoam in the bulkhead to beef it up some.

Trailer is built. Needs paint. That plus the deck this weekend Lord willing. Can't wait to get started.

Mark

[GPW]

Mark , hope the bad weather missed you , and you can take some more pics of your progress... we do Love pictures ...

[millstone]

The bad weather went way to the north. I guess we dodged a serious bullet, which is good, however, the drought we're in had many in our part looking forward to "a rain with a name." Thinking about those in OBX, DelMarVa, and NYC though.

I got the frame today.




I built up the frame with 2 x 2's and decked it with 1/2" plywood.



And, finally, the trailer with the TV in the background, at least I hope it'll pull it when I'm done



The hole in the floor is just storage for camp chairs or whatever. It's 24 x 56 x 8" deep.



And here's a scribblement of the plan



Tomorrow, I hope to get a few minutes and screw down the deck, and also bolt the floor to the trailer frame. Then I plan on pulling the floor off, so that I can work on the shell, while the paint dries on the trailer frame.

Mark


[/img]

[CliffinGA]

Mark can't wait to see your build, and you shouldn't have a problem with the mini as there is a forum member in CA who I've seen pics of him pulling his with his mini. What part of GA? We're over in Jefferson so give a hollar if you need an extra hand. After I finish my regular benroy then I'm thinking of a small foanie on my smakk tears frame.

Good luck,

Cliff & Sheri

[GPW]

What about the axle placement vs the drawing ???

[millstone]

I actually deferred to the guy who built me the frame on the axle plcement. Ive known and worked with him for a long time. I know that in the past the rule of thumb was one third of the way from the end.

The circle on the drawing is just that. means very little to the actual trailer.

Cliff. Im in elberton. Just up the street. And I may take you up on that. Been having a hard time.creating time to build. I bet im not alone in that

M.

[GPW]

Mill , Just me , I'm thinking you'll be fine with what you have !!! Foamies are so light , you can just move your gear around inside a bit to get the balance you want or need for towing ... guessing you don't want a LOT of Tongue weight , so it won't load down the rear suspension of the Mini TV too much ......

Probably just like towing a boat , if it doesn't tow well , just move more stuff forward ... simple !!!

[millstone]

The trailer wound up heavier than I expected. Its stout though. Three inch channel around the outside. Mix up on the supports in the middle. They were supposed to be 2*2*3/16 angle. They're 4*3*5/16. So I picked up a lot of weight there.

Im drilling four holes on each frame rail for lag bolts to secure the box to the frame.

Next week its paint for the trailer after a thorough wire brushing, the floor for the storage and then, hopefully cutting out the sides.
I really want to build the box off the frame. I want to wrap the canvas around the bottom of the deck and secure it with staples. Im also thinking of building up the contour with wood strips and using them to staple the canvas to on top. Probably overkill, but that's my middle name.

Oh. I glued and screwed the deck down and rough cut and glued the sides today. Progress slow but sure.
M.

[GPW]

Unfortunately staples RUST and stain the area around them... TB2 is water based as is the Latex paint , so that starts the rust from the get go ... if you insist on a mechanical fastener you might consider Copper tacks ... (Art supply store) ... and I believe that's what the Old timers specified ... for a good reason ...

Stout is GOOD !!!

[millstone]

Made more progress on my foamie.

First, the profile. I had these beautiful 12' long sheets all glued up so I said to myself why not use them and make a 12 footer. Could be a mistake stay tuned.

Here's the profile



It's now 5-6 high by 12' long.

A coat of primer and three soats black paint on the frame.



Famn Damily tomorrow. Maybe some more work on Monday. Have Labor Day off!!! Don't know how to act!!


I'm wondering something.

Notice on Mike's profile


He has the two inch rebate cut for the roof. Is that completely necessary? Or could you just cut the spars into the top where it is and attach the roof to the top of the curve. Must it be back cut?

Thanks

Mark