Construction Techinque - turn an angled joint into a curve.

[cracker39]

Most TDs have only curves from front to back rather than angled joints. I have seen some “unconventional” shapes with angles, and my trailer will have 4 angled joints. Or rather, it would have, but I came up with a method to turn the angles into pleasing 1” – 2” radius curves instead. Joining the plywood skin at the joints is a painstaking process of getting the angles correct and making sure that the joint is connected all the way across the trailer.

I’ve seen others use the angled spar created by gluing two pieces together and I’ve gone a step or two farther with that idea. My method may be more work, but I think the result will be worth it. There are a couple of advantages. 1. I think it will better protect the ends of the plywood, 2. the rounded joint will be smooth (seamless actually) and more pleasing to look at, and, Oh yeah, there is one other reason…I just love woodworking and building things. Here is the link to my details for making this curved joint.

http://home.tampabay.rr.com/wdsummers/s ... tails.html

[angib]

Those would be lovely joints - lots of work, and a bit heavy, but attractive and durable. Protecting the edges of plywood is certainly a good way to make a structure last.

Andrew

[mikeschn]

That looks like quite a bit of wood working, but it solves the problem of the angled joints quite nicely.

My insulated weekender was designed to use 2x2's ripped to the correct angle, at the intersection of each joint. Of course that didn't hide the end grain of the plywood as your method does. But it was my intention to fill the joint with epoxy putty, sand smooth, and then paint the whole thing with white epoxy paint.

With the labor you're putting into those joints, it would be a shame to hide it. So you're going to turn this into a woodie, right?

Mike...

So how do you put the radius on? With a router?

[cracker39]

Actually, Andrew, I wouldn't think that these rounded corner spars would be much heavier than standard angled spars. I'd have to use one at the corners anyway, large enough to attach two pieces of plywood. And to do it right, I'd still have to glue two angle-ripped spars together anyway. These should only add a pound or two to each corner. I'd gladly trade a couple of pounds for the improvement on appearance and durability.

BTW, you're up late aren't you? Are you in GMT? Or east or west by an hour? Thanks for the input.

Dale

[cracker39]

Mike, I had planned on white enamel as my finish too. But, you never know. It depends on what the exterior plywood looks like. But, with screw heads filled in, I'd have to add more wood strips to cover them and have the classic woody look, adding more weight. No, I think I'll still just paint it. Besides, I like my white exterior with the distinctive red striping.

Dale

[Arne]

Cracker, I might borrow your striping design idea if you don't mind, or something similar.... right now, I call mine, depending on my state of mind, "pillsbury doughboy", "snow ball", "big white blob" or some such.... I wanted something simple to apply, and that looks like it would do the trick to break up the monoteny of the 'all whilte tear'.......

[cracker39]

Arnereil, you're welcome to use that design if you like. I've seen other neat designs. I first thought of a ligntning bold stripe. I've also seen another I like on a TD, but it wouldn't fint my trailer shape. These look like this:



Either design color could be carried across the front and rear of the trailer.

Dale (Cracker)

[angib]

BTW, you're up late aren't you?

At past 50 years of age, I think I'm allowed to decide my own bed time (storming off, stamping my little feet in a proper little tantrum....).

Are you in GMT? Or east or west by an hour?

British Summer Time (=DST) is GMT+1, or UTC+1 as we aspiring internet nerds say.

Andrew (now awake again - izza 'ard life, innit?)

[Roly Nelson]

Hey Dale, that joint works for me, I am planning on using it where the side walls meet the roof plywood, on the next one. Looks like you don't mind spending the extra time it takes to make it look right. Good for you. Now you said you plan on painting the exterior. Any tips you can share about getting this done cheaply and nicely. (that is no epoxy paint and no spray gun).

Roly~~

[cracker39]

Roly,

I am no expert on paints and painting. I'v sprayed a lot of polyeurethane enamel and Minwax polyeurethane stain/varnish combination which is a lot easier than staining, wiping, then varnishing. You do it all in one application. If you use it, and the first coat isn't dark enough, you put on a 2nd coat. If it is dark enough, make the 2nd coat clear varnish.

Some swear by epoxy enamel and other marine finishes and I suppose some of these would offer better protection, but also more expensive. I put two sprayed coats of exterior poly enamel on a small boat I built and it held up over 5 years that I used it, in and out of the water. If it will hold up on a boat, then I'd think on a trailer it do just as well if not better. I thought about a fiberglass resin undercoat to seal the wood, but not sure if that would be worth the time and expense. Anyone have any comments on that idea? If I do or not, I'll put the resin on the plywood edges to seal them.

I've seen polyerethane finishes put on with a brush that were just as good as spraying. One of my daughters finished an entertainment center with stain and brushed-on varnish and it was satin-smooth. She did put either 2 or 3 coats on, light sanding between coats.

[robert johnson]

Hi Dale, I love the design of the "Squidget". I basically did the same construction on my trailer "Serenity". and almost the same dementions too. nothing like light weight construction. I can't believe some of these teardrops weigh as much as a compact trailer like yours. keep up the good work.....................Bob

[cracker39]

Bob, doyou have pictures of Serenity? I'd love to see them...or even design drawings if you have them. Not that I'd want to change my design, but maybe I would get some ideas I havent' thought of...

[robert johnson]

Well Dale, my pics of her are on the hall of fame page. tenth down on the left hand side. I skinned the frame with aircraft aluminum. its just a shell now, the intirrior is this winter's project. we through a futon on the floor for now. ............Bob