Finally going a lil more public with Project FireBeetle!

[S. Heisley]

Sharon What do you call yours? A standie or a foldy?

I called it MyAway because it's my way of getting away;' but, when I reserve a spot in a campground, I call it a Pop-up. When I describe it here, I sometimes call it a half-standy; and, in a camp trip during the last camping season, a well-know teardrop builder called it a hybrid teardrop.

Vedette/Brian, have patience. Not everyone is like you. In fact, you are in a special class all by yourself (not a bad thing, just different from many). Before I built, I ruminated about it for well over a year, changing my mind half a dozen times before I finally decided just what I wanted. I read a lot here and picked a few brains, too. Look at Mary C. She read every posting on the forum before she did anything. Now, that is a feat! Everybody goes about their planning differently; but, there's nothing wrong with a little brain pickin'...better that than nose pickin'! (FYI: Nose pickin' is a US country slang term for being truly lazy and doing nothing.)

[daveesl77]

GreenViking, what I was getting at in my original reply and the 2nd one is that there comes a time when we must leave the drawing board (but never the idea stage) and actually "make" something. Doesn't matter what that thing is. It could be as simple as a cardboard box or as complex as a rocket ship. We can visualize until the cows come home, but until we see an actual mockup, model or full size prototype, we do not fully understand the implications of our designs or ideas.

My son is very, very similar to you in a lot of ways. Last fall he was coming up with all kinds of plans on building a motorized, jib-crane-dolly, something cheap, powerful and easy to build. He had all of these grandiose plans and ideas, but never tried any of them. When he came to visit me in January I took him out to my garage and showed him 2 that I'd already built. For his motor he had all of these ideas on how to build a motor, for my unit I had taken a yard-sale battery operated drill, removed the motor from the casing and hooked it up to 2 clothesline pulleys. It worked. For his track he wanted to use a 3D printer to make all these weird things. I had a 100 foot heavy garden hose that I used to make a flexible track and two 20' sections of PVC for a stable straightline. Once he saw my actual builds, once he was able to use them to determine the pluses and most importantly, the minuses, he came up with his own design. He got back to Colorado and in 2 weeks he had built an amazing unit, controlled from a tablet.

It is great to have ideas, but at some point you need to take the pen off the paper and put the saw to the wood. Then use the ideas to enhance your prototype.

dave

[Vedette]

GreenViking, what I was getting at in my original reply and the 2nd one is that there comes a time when we must leave the drawing board (but never the idea stage) and actually "make" something. Doesn't matter what that thing is. It could be as simple as a cardboard box or as complex as a rocket ship. We can visualize until the cows come home, but until we see an actual mockup, model or full size prototype, we do not fully understand the implications of our designs or ideas.

My son is very, very similar to you in a lot of ways. Last fall he was coming up with all kinds of plans on building a motorized, jib-crane-dolly, something cheap, powerful and easy to build. He had all of these grandiose plans and ideas, but never tried any of them. When he came to visit me in January I took him out to my garage and showed him 2 that I'd already built. For his motor he had all of these ideas on how to build a motor, for my unit I had taken a yard-sale battery operated drill, removed the motor from the casing and hooked it up to 2 clothesline pulleys. It worked. For his track he wanted to use a 3D printer to make all these weird things. I had a 100 foot heavy garden hose that I used to make a flexible track and two 20' sections of PVC for a stable straightline. Once he saw my actual builds, once he was able to use them to determine the pluses and most importantly, the minuses, he came up with his own design. He got back to Colorado and in 2 weeks he had built an amazing unit, controlled from a tablet.

It is great to have ideas, but at some point you need to take the pen off the paper and put the saw to the wood. Then use the ideas to enhance your prototype.

dave

Dave

And Sharon........ Sorry!
Yes, you know me! Patience has never been my strong suit????
I will try to ignore this thread in the future to avoid frustration.
Brian

[Sheddie]

I also spent too long planning and designing. Beginning of July 2012 we didn't know what a teardrop was. We spent two weeks trying to find one to buy (no luck), then the following week planning and designing. It wasn't until the evening of 19th July until we started building, having made the decision that morning. I am glad I spent those couple of days designing as now (two and a half years later) I wouldn't change anything.

[GreenViking]

I get it, the "Shepard should know the smell of the sheep".

I do what I can when I can. I see that many of the builders live in houses with garages or a backyard or a friend with some land/shop.
I currently live in the center of a major metro area so my tools are computer (use what you have,) and limited access to a tech-shop 12 miles away (no storage). Complaint? Nah, I just have to do things differently with what is available.

"Which of these decisions prevents a thousand decisions in the future."
I hate repetitive tasks, my planning is geared towards creating a production cycle that when it comes time to do it, will get repeatable, high quality results with excellent finish (and maybe for me that means measureing 5x and cut once... so what?) That is geared to my reality that time in the shop in the city costs me $$$, time on the computer in my house $ and jobbing out $$$$$.

Yes, it will take me longer because my use scenarios are more complex and varied and I am designing for multiple units that are designed for down the road compatibility... sawdust and metal will come as will resin and fiber and foam.

I appreciate the constructive comments, and those that find my project "frustrating" can change the channel and focus on what makes them happy.

[GreenViking]

Frank = + smirk.

[GreenViking]

So, after one to many comments about making sawdust etc... I went to the shop today and made some laser smoke.
For those that are interested https://www.behance.net/wip/1047859 , I have been looking at ways of using a commercial co2 laser to "tattoo" aluminum siding so that I can place my artwork and design patterns into my micro caravan build.

[Plainsgirl]

This looks amazing. I am enjoying every aspect of your thought-processes and planning. Will you cut your aluminium the same way? As in sheet with these shapes cut out? That has enormous potential, as does engraved pattern (cut half-way through) on the surfaces. The sky is the limit with digital imaging. So cool. I kind of daydream about what yours will look like finished...in between daydreaming about my own, that is.

[GreenViking]

Hi PlainsGirl:
I am looking into a few different options on how best to get my filigree design patterns into the surface of the aluminum. I have thought of going the commercial co2 lasers, but heat warping is a concern. Also thought of using a waterjet cutter with pressure turned way down but again, these experiments using active shop equipment require downtime that needs to be paid for.
The direction I will probably go is a modular section approach where certain areas can be customized and that will allow more room for post experimentation and customization. I really want the first 3-9 of these units to be the testbed for fabrication runs for larger festival event camps like Burning Man.

Noodling around with the laser cut filigree...

[dales133]

Enjoy your enthusiasm and thought processes, you definatly have some tallent at design and modling

[GreenViking]

Started separate digital project book to try and break down all the little projects that collectively feed into the FireBeetle project.
[right click on image for option to see entirety in separate tab]

[GreenViking]

Anyone here have a simple way of drawing out a top down view of any Tow Vehicle and trailer combination useing compass or CAD? Could you please demonstrate step by step the critical measurements and how to set them up? Am trying to figure out ways of making the wheelbase capable of some tight maneuvering in city including going places most never thought they could (like parking structure rooftops for private events!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUNr9V06c30

[tony.latham]

Am trying to figure out ways of making the wheelbase capable of some tight maneuvering in city including going places most never thought they could (like parking structure rooftops for private events!)

I don't get the point of Safr's video. Any dual axle trailer that long will do the same. Teardrops will put that thing to shame. Easy city towing? It's easy; keep the size down.

T

[GuitarPhotog]

As contrary as it seems, a longer distance from hitch to axle makes the trailer more maneuverable. Also a longer tongue will allow you to jack knife the trailer without hitting it with the rear of the tow vehicle. Note: "to jack knife" the trailer means to get the tow vehicle at a right angle (or less) to the trailer. This is dangerous with multi-axle trailers but carefully done can be done with a teardrop with a long tongue.

<Chas>

[Bluebunny]

Anyone here have a simple way of drawing out a top down view of any Tow Vehicle and trailer combination useing compass or CAD? Could you please demonstrate step by step the critical measurements and how to set them up? Am trying to figure out ways of making the wheelbase capable of some tight maneuvering in city including going places most never thought they could (like parking structure rooftops for private events!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUNr9V06c30

GreenViking,
Generally the limit of maneuverability is determined by the turning radius of the tow vehicle. In my experience, if the trailer and tow do not interfere when the tow is moving FORWARD in its tightest circle possible, maximum maneuverability is reached. No gains are achieved if the trailer can "jackknife" further.

The tow vehicle turning radius is listed in its manual. Its rear axle points toward the center of the turning circle, with the <edit>>front outside edge<<edit> forming the circle diameter. The trailer will essentially follow the tangent of the circle of hitch ball travel. Tows and trailers are rarely boxes; the tow bumper often protrudes low, and the trailer front often protrudes high, so clearance gains are often made. Here is a concept showing a tow at maximum crank to check clearance...