Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

I'm wondering, if it's possible to build a foamie with a minimum number of tools. Would that change the design much?

I use table saws, chop saws, circular saws, jig saws, and a whole host of other tools. But what about first time builders that don't have all that, or people who don't have the space for all those tools? Is there a design that can minimize the number of tools?

Just for fun, lets use this design as a starting point.

I think a circular saw and 2 clamps and a straight edge is all one needs. Am I missing anything? Tell me what tool I am missing, and what it would be used for.



Mike...

P.S. Link to design... viewtopic.php?p=1136107#p1136107

I cut all my ply and i make bathroom and kitchen units for jobs with a good fine blade ,2 clamps ,2 saw horses ,and a good straight edge.
No reason you couldnt work foam the same way.
Sure youd have alot more hours in finishing and set up for cuts ect but its all easily doable

We built Foamie #1 with a freshly sharpened hand saw ... serrated steak knife , bamboo skewers , blow gun Darts ,scissors , sandpaper , and a cheap paint brush ...

Hey Mike, what about my foamie? I used a kitchen knife and hand saw to cut my shape out. When it was put together, I think the only real tool might have been some kind of small saw (electric) that was used for the kerfing and cutting of the few pieces of wood that was used. But that was about it. I would recommend a zig saw though.

Well there you have it , NO exotic tools required ... or skills either ...

Sanding blocks and sandpaper, of course!

So what are you saying? Forget all the tools? Get a hack saw blade and a sanding block and call it good?

Mike...

Maybe a rusty pocket knife and sandpaper.

You would also need some hand wrenches to assemble the trailer. A hand drill to drill the holes to bolt the body to the frame and or screw it to the frame. Tape measure and square.

I like the idea of this thread. Some people don't have the tools or have the money to buy a bunch of tools just to build a camper.

Yea, that's what I am talking about. But I think I would suggest an electric drill motor. I don't think it would be fun to hand drill 7/16" holes in the frame!!!

Mike...

Jdw2717 wrote:You would also need some hand wrenches to assemble the trailer. A hand drill to drill the holes to bolt the body to the frame and or screw it to the frame. Tape measure and square.

I like the idea of this thread. Some people don't have the tools or have the money to buy a bunch of tools just to build a camper.

These days at the cost of a basic cordless drill youd be mad not to own one.
I own decent ones and pretty much every concievable cordless tool going but i use them everyday.
A el cheapo drill can be had for well under 100 bucks and worth its weitght in gold

If this is all about tools , those harbor freight tools work fine for occasional use .... I bought a small mini router (20 bucks) from HF to kerf the FoamStream foam ... I thiought that was an exotic tool purchase for building a Foamie ...
The real consideration is , if you Don’t have a few Basic tools for simple construction , then it’s likely you don’t have the skill to build a Foamie ... But it doesn’t mean you can’t learn ...

I think one of the biggest features of building with foam is you don't have to have a lot of skill. Basically if your capable of not injuring yourself too badly, you can do it. cut a piece wrong. glue back on. knock a hole in it. glue it back on. etc... I'd like to see a minimum tool build... It would make a great Instructibles Article. Might even win one of the contest they run over there on a regular basis.

OK, lets make a list ...
1. serrated steak knife ( the cheap ones)
2. Couple cheap 3” brushes (the cheap ones)
3. Scissors ...
4. Bamboo skewers, the sturdy ones , not those flimsy Fondue sticks ...
5. Sharpie marker
6. measuring tape
7. Paint roller and tray for applying the glue .
8. Good sharp hand saw... if it’s old and dull , get it sharpened , still cheap but makes all the difference , even on foam ... especially on foam
9. Sandpaper block of stick .. 36-120 grit .
10. A Nice long straight edge comes in very handy .
11. Electric hand drill and bits ...
12. Jigsaw ... with various blades ...
13. plastic squeegee or similar
14. Chalk line Box...


OK, who’s next ?

mikeschn wrote:Yea, that's what I am talking about. But I think I would suggest an electric drill motor. I don't think it would be fun to hand drill 7/16" holes in the frame!!!

Mike...

Jdw2717 wrote:You would also need some hand wrenches to assemble the trailer. A hand drill to drill the holes to bolt the body to the frame and or screw it to the frame. Tape measure and square.

I like the idea of this thread. Some people don't have the tools or have the money to buy a bunch of tools just to build a camper.

Sorry. I meant an electric hand drill and not a drill press. That would be some work to drill the frame with a hand crank drill.

Plug in electric drills are cheaper than the cordless and have more power and don't slow down halfway through the holes in the frame.