Building the "Heart of Gold" - Done 3/9/2014

[Ned B]

Great progress on your build! Lets just hope the DMV isn't staffed with poetry reading Vogons.

[drewh1]

O freddled gruntbuggly / Thy micturations are to me / As plurdled gabbleblotchits on a lurgid bee / That mordiously hath bitled out its earted jurtles / Into a rancid festering...

[aggie79]

Tom,
Your photos are super helpful. I am going to go with it the way it is. I do think I need to revisit the seal and probably route it to a vertical shape but now feel much better about the way I did it. Thanks so much for posting them. where did you get the rubber retainers?Drew

Drew,
I think the way you have it will work fine. You'll just need to find an appropriate seal to match the overlap. I bought my rubber draw latches from McMaster-Carr: http://www.mcmaster.com. They have a bewildering array of hardware available including a variety of latches and seals.

I probably already told you this, but I love your build and used it for inspiration for my original design. AND, I need to go through your build thread again . . .
Drew

Thank you for the nice comments although I really didn't have an original idea in my build. I plagiarized details from many of the numerous builds on this site. I am really enjoying seeing your build come together too!

[drewh1]

Tom - you are entirely too modest, sure you borrowed ideas, but the completed Teardrop is still a work of art!

Check it out! NO poetry reading Vogons. The process took me about 30 minutes and cost $89 (sales tax on the trailer). It really helps to make an appointment online and make sure you have ALL the paperwork done before you go.

one frustraing thing, they told me on the phone they had to see the trailer, so I spent time putting all the fenders, lights on and wiring it, then they never looked at it anyway! So now I can take it all off again.

Now I can really start to rock and roll.

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[drewh1]

Finally I can show some progress and I am really excited how it all turned out. I also got all my ceiling parts, skylight and fan and put most of the framing together.

My idea was to make cabinets like the Camp-Inn, flush with marine hardware. I modified my router to accept the Rockler bushings and purchased a Whiteside 1/8 upcut bit. I had to drill new holes in the router base. It has to be very precise so I used a drill press after marking everything carefully. Anyway, that part went well.

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Then I made templates for the cabinet doors and shelf cutouts. I used double sided tape to hold the templates down and router carefully around. I made two cuts as this bit can only cut about 1/4" at a time. It really worked out well. Now that I am over this hump, I can really get creative with the galley design. It is quick and easy to make templates for any size cabinet door!

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[RandyG]

Nice work my friend. Are the oval cutouts just cubby holes without doors?

[KCStudly]

Yes, great work!

Looks like you wrapped the bit in tape to center the base for drilling? If so, good idea.

[drewh1]

Thanks for the feedback - it felt good to move things along.

Randy - The oval openings will all have doors, hinges on the bottom and a catch on top. The rectangular ones will just be for shelf access, no doors. Actually there is hardly any space behind the bottom ovals, but I want to put some of the electrical stuff like 12v fuses and connections so they are really just for access.

KC - Huh! I didn't tape it but that IS a good idea - the Rockler kit comes with a really nice centering tool. I'll probably only ever use one bushing but the centering tool was worth its weight in gold.

Wish I could take a week off and just work on this!

drew.

[KCStudly]

Wish I could take a week off and just work on this!

Amen brother! Wish I could quit working altogether and just build stuff!

[RandyG]

Ok, that makes sense, they are bigger. But I have an idea for ya.
What if you were to put all the electrical under the bottom cabinet floor with another hinge on it. That way you can still keep stuff in there and you fuses are still within reach. It may not be big enough for the fuse box you might have planned. Just an idea.

[drewh1]

Hey Randy,

that is actually not a bad idea. It is really a small space and I have even considered leaving it open to the top skin to provide room for electrical stuff. The shelf idea would probably work out it I did that. I'll check it out next time I get time in the shop.

drew

[iregan]

Lookin' good Drew!
Regan

[drewh1]

Thanks Regan! it is nice to get feedback and encouragement.

[drewh1]

just for fun, I put the parts together, I am amazed, it is starting to come together!

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[drewh1]

Well, here is the weekly update. Wednesday is one of my days off so I usually work alot.

I got the inside top skinned. . .

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added framing for the skylight and Fan . . .

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Finished the Galley shelves . . .

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Hmm, can only add three photos, I'll continue in the next post . . .