Friendly Neighbourhood Slidavan

[AS115]

Thanks, Matt! I'm going to contact Benjy - maybe a slide out. And I think setting up an outdoor shower would be better from what I've heard about indoor showers. Thanks!

[*Inside]

Heyo - any updates?

I’m very strongly considering this build as well.

How much do you figure that you’ve spent on it so far?

[MattLV]

Well it's been a while. Completely lost my mojo for this project after I got a bit stuck trying to locate off the shelf 5mm strip wood in the UK. Finally realised I was being a fool and the readily available 6mm would do (given tolerances) so I'm back on it again to get the top section of the trailer fitted.

First tho lot's of sanding, painting and varnishing of the parts that will be inaccessible once put together. It's a slow business with the winter temperatures.






No idea what the spend has been so far to be honest. One day I will try and tot it up, but not today haha. I think the plans suggest a cost of around £3000 if you buy everything new. I'm using a recycled trailer bed and 2nd hand windows which I think shaves a good £1000 off that number.

[OP827]

Good to see you back on the build. I always ripped my own strips for glue laminations on my table saw as it would be too expensive or not available to buy. Are you making the roof spars now? As for cost tracking, I personally never bothered, just spent as I go and can afford at particular time.

[MattLV]

Ah I would love a table saw, would need to give the workshop a good clear out first tho, and that's currently at the bottom of my never-gonna-happen list

I completed the laminated roof beams a while ago. Looking forward to getting to the point where they are fitted.

[OP827]

Spars look great. If you don't have a table saw, I hope you have a circular saw, and it can be fitted with a simple jig, a small fence piece on its base to rip timber into strips. There are videos from boat builds with such technique used for making strips for canoes. The depth of cut is less though, so it depends what you need, of course. It is also possible to turn the piece upside down and make another rip cut from the other side.

[MattLV]

Thanks for the tip on a DIY table saw....I may give that ago.

Meanwhile....first test assembly of the top section has started...

[OP827]

It is coming together nicely! What do you use for the trim to cover the joints between wall panels outside?

[MattLV]

I haven't abandoned this build, I'm just very very sloooooooow

Here's some updates,

Putting together the upper door, complete with porthole 'window'







Here's the top half put together with the roof beams..



And taken apart again so I can fit the draught excluder strip

[MattLV]

And put together again

[MattLV]

And now I have the mechanism built, it's time to try for a proper lift...

[TimC]

And now I have the mechanism built, it's time to try for a proper lift...

Now you have my attention! Build on. I hope we can see details of the lift mech.

[OP827]

It is a big milestone, looking great! I like the lifting device simplicity. Finding the correct lifting point location would be important

[MattLV]

And up she goes...





needed a bit of a jiggle about half way up to release a binding runner, but on the whole I'm pretty pleased.
Now I can fully bond the top section and then crack on with covering the roof

[OP827]

This looks great.
But I have to ask, why did you need a cross brace in the middle and the diagonal strings attached to the lifting thingy and roof?
Original Wood widget video did not have the cross brace, is that a temporary thing?