Just Dandy - a modified Jim Dandy design

[Mark McD]

Looks good Dewi, go for it!

[kirkman]

Cant wait to see it!

[Dewi]

Getting closer to the build every day.

Trying my best to learn SketchUp so I can do a proper 3D visual of it... so far all I've managed is...



but I'll get there with it. A bit of a learning curve, but then isn't everything.

Cheers, Dewi

[Dewi]

I've been designing the structural frame... there will be a hatch at the back and at the front (the front end being the galley), so there are no struts for there, and the two far outer sides will be virtually solid... but is there anything glaringly wrong with this frame idea?



I've rotated the SketchUp drawing to see it from different angles... I know my 3D skills aren't up to much... its took weeks to get to this stage





I've got some additions to the framing for the beds and some more framing for the galley to do (really like the design Duane did with the fold out table in the centre) but does this look right so far?

Cheers, Dewi

[WarPony]

Dewi, why do you have 4 profile ribs?

Jeff

[Dewi]

Mainly because the galley area at the front opens as a split front top and bottom and so does the back... I couldn't figure out a way to give the structure some rigidity because the connection points were the flattish bit of the roof (which won't be flat, but near as) and the bottom of the side walls.

My theory was to build the two sides as sort of fixed units about a foot wide, then there would be more connection points to the chassis/base. I've not drawn in all the noggins in between yet.

Originally I wanted the Jim Dandy shape at the front, but after studying a design Duane did, I figured I could use some of his space creating ideas for the galley, then come up with some unusual uses for beneath the galley area.

Do you think it will work like this Jeff or am I making more work for myself unneccessarily?

Cheers, Dewi

[WarPony]

Ah, I see. Kind of a clamshell opening for the hatches, interesting design. Extra work?!?! Hell, building campers ALWAYS takes extra work to make them like you want!! Get in there and have a good time, I'll be watching the build, Dewi.

Jeff

[Dewi]

Well, nearly 2 years have passed and the donor vehicle is still parked up next to my house looking ever more sad.

Economic reasons, or more precisely the fact that I lost my business, lost my car, ended up living on the bread line meant that my Dandy/Warrior combo was a dead duck.

Now I've took matters into my own hands, gone out there and rebuilt my business and I've dusted off all the parts and tools I gathered for this build.

I want to modify the design slightly as my children are considerably bigger and we now have a 5 metre bell tent to add to the mix, but I really want to buckle down and gets things together for a summer time build.

Sorry I've neglected the forum. I didn't lose interest, I just couldn't face anyone and explain what a mess I'd made of things by letting the down turn bite into my work.

Some amazing builds taken place in my absence, you guys have been real busy since I was last here!

Cheers, Dewi

Edit: My wife has just told me, it's been nearly 3 years!

[48Rob]

Dewi,

Glad you were able to pull yourself back out!

You would have been welcome here anyway...

Welcome back.

We need pictures

Rob

[Dewi]

Only pictures I can share at the minute is a project I took on with some scrap wood... I wanted my kids to have something they could enjoy despite us being skint.

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Its very nearly finished, I have the staircase ready to go in, a carpet and a heater... but the kids love it. All made with the scrap wood donated by a hire company who were moving premises and offered to give me their old shelving.

Not a TD I know, but woodwork is my passion and I hope that the Dandy will make use of me.

Cheers, Dewi