Superlegerra -ish 5x9 foamy - First Trip!

[lthomas987]

Well if we get to little enough ice on the roads that I think I can safely tow and park a trailer I'll go get some foam and start testing. Currently the parking lots here are 100% ice covered. And the roads are 30% to 70% ice. And I drive a wee sedan. So no sticking construction materials in that. Oh maybe I can borrow a van! That might work!

Fabric shopping tomorrow night. Foam and glue as soon as I can for the tests.

[GPW]

If you can’t build , you can always SHOP !!! ... Actually I find it great Fun digging through the remnants/SALE table at the fabric stores , always finding cool materials for my hat making too ...

[wagondude]

Denim!! My undereducated self thinks a good quality demin would work as well as canvas for structural integrity. As far as looks are concerned, I'd love a denim covered foamie. Is there something that could be applied that would dry clear, leaving the wonderful demin color & look?

Laura (who's always love blue jeans)

I painted over the stain on my front door with an exterior acrylic latex tinting base. With no pigments added, it dries clear and is supposed to be more UV stable than poly. Woodbutcher did a similar treatment on his Slowmobile build, but I believe his was an oil based paint base. I tried it on my door because his camper turned out so nice.

[atahoekid]

Building those boxes and the dog trailer would be great practice for the real thing. It helps you practice your techniques (seams, corners, etc.) and will give you a chance to play around with the denim. Much like building scale models, those mini builds will be proof of concept!

[lthomas987]

Today it warmed up a bit and while I was committed to help with a bunch of chores I did find time to get to the farm supply store. Sadly not while I still had the van I had borrowed in the morning. So still no foam. I did however have more thrifty luck! While just planning to price TB2, Great Stuff and Gorilla Glue I found all three on sale. Got a gallon of TB2 for under $14. Seam free 8oz 4'x15' tarp for $9. Good for the bike trailer anyhow.

So no progress but at least I am getting to spread my costs out a bit and find stuff on sale.

No gripper in stock that I could find. Might have to hit the Orange Store.

[GPW]

LT, if you’re not going to use the Gripper as an adhesive , but as a Primer , there may be other primers that work better for an even better price... gripper is sorta’ pricy ...

[lthomas987]

LT, if you’re not going to use the Gripper as an adhesive , but as a Primer , there may be other primers that work better for an even better price... gripper is sorta’ pricy ...

I was contemplating using it as an adhesive. But the TB2 was such a great price I couldn't say no. The best I had seen around before was $18 and more often over $20. So, I will probably go the TB2 route. And then there are LOTS of primers out there. Or none if I decide on denim and some sort of clear finish over it. Soo many choices.

[atahoekid]

That is so true!!! I spent a ton of time contemplating the outer material. In the end, as long as it works (and most everything you've mentioned does work) and you're happy with it, it was a fine choice!

[lthomas987]

So I've talked about doing a wee bike foamy first while the weather is still bad here. And since we've got another 6-12" of snow inbound over the next 24 hours I am more committed than ever to thinking spring. I can get either of these two sizes out of a single 4x8 sheet of 1" foam.

Since I know I love pictures in posts I can't resist adding some to this one.

So I have a trailer that used to be one of those burley kid carriers that I have converted for cargo usage. Ideally I'd not lose the ability to take the tiny bike-drop off the trailer and use it for things that won't fit in there. Hopefully I'll never be dumb enough to try 120lbs of softener salt again though. That was a BAD PLAN.

I've been playing a bit in sketchup. I need to get the trailer down from the rafters and get a measuring tape on it but my old notes have it as 34" long in the bed and more than 24" between the wheels.

Two possible sizes of bikedrop. The smaller one is a fair bit bigger than the dog kennel in the last picture. I think I can make them shorter front to back.

Bike trailer as it stands. With cargo bed.

Bike Trailer with crate and TV. Well both TVs actually. That's the car I hope to tow my foamy with.'

[lthomas987]

Started a build journal on the bikedrop micro foamy. http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=59274 So build details will be over there.

[lthomas987]

I am nearly done with the assembly of the micro-foamy bike trailer. Tonight I just used a bit of linen instead of the canvas. I think if I can find enough places to save money elsewhere I might try using linen for all of my trailer. It was a TON nicer to work with. It wet out faster, and didn't stretch hardly at all. We'll see what it all looks like in the morning when it is dry.

[GPW]

Laura, we used linen on the Foamie #1 ... It’s Much Stronger than cotton , and much more durable too ...

[lthomas987]

Laura, we used linen on the Foamie #1 ... It’s Much Stronger than cotton , and much more durable too ...

And because it is thinner for the same (or greater given what ripping it was like to get it to size) thickness it takes less glue and will take less paint. I think if I can find it at my giant fabric warehouse http://www.srharrisfabric.com/ cheaply enough I might just do that. People drive hundreds of miles to shop there. It's the closest fabric store to my house! So I am super lucky. Might not even be un-thrifty.

[GPW]

Get the Coupons, that helps a bit too !!!

[lthomas987]

Get the Coupons, that helps a bit too !!!

GPW! Thanks! I don't often look at the coupons because everything is 50% off all the time anyhow. Or I am looking at something and someone next to me says "Is this the thing on the coupon?" But HOLY WOW! I guess I am going to go buy me some linen, based on my drawings and estimates. $3.99yd! EEEP! that is awesome!