Can you build any sizable piece in an apartment

[EmmaZane]

I've discovered that I get teardrop fever every spring.

I was wondering if anyone could give any clues as to how much a girl could build a teardrop in her apartment. Obviously I can't do a lot of welding or hammering in here, but what could I accomplish, if anything? Any thoughts?

Thanks. I'll continue to drool over books and websites, at the very least.

-EZ

[bobhenry]

Ground level or 2nd floor ?????

[madjack]

Welcome EmmaZ...you can build as much as you can fit thru the door and/or carry...a suggestion...find a Self-Storage facility, rent a spot w/electricity and build there...you wouldn't be the first to doit either way.........
madjack

[teardrop_focus]

*picks up jaw off of floor after seeing picture in Emma's post*

Is this some sort of cruel joke?

*sigh*



Welcome to Teardrops & Tiny Travel Trailers, Emma.

We can build our tears together here... I can't start mine yet, either.

May I suggest you start with sdtripper2's Index (ongoing) http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=12276 - it's an alphabetized index of EVERYTHING one needs to know about building a tear...

Seriously, one should spend at least a month of evenings reading through the wealth of great information stored there/here.

That's what you can do in your flat. This way, by the time you procure the necessary space in which to begin your build, you'll be more prepared than most who've gone before you.

At least that's the way I'm looking at it. It's both agony and ecstasy... this waiting, but also learning some details that I would have completely overlooked had I started on my build last weekend when I wanted to... after having the TD seed planted just over two years ago...

Looking forward to meeting you one day and seeing your first teardrop!
What're you going to tow it behind?

[bobhenry]

I think in his own way he is saying what I was thinking.


you are one good lookin babe!


Ordinarily that would sound sexist but you gotta remember I am an old man and we are allowed to flirt with pretty young women because everyone knows we are harmless.

[TPMcGinty]

Welcome Emma! Do you have a friend with a garage? Maybe you can sweet talk him/her into borrowing it. Maybe offer to let them borrow it occasionally after it's built.

[John T. Hodgen]

Welcome Emma,
A Zane huh?? any kin to the author??? As far as the t/d goes I like the renting a storage unit if I didn't have room at the house. As far as at your house--Plans, gathering those little items(curtains,bedding,lights,etc.etc.)
Do you have a profile that you like. For inspiration my build pics are here: http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc145/panheadjohn60/
Here it is on the Gearz/tv show site: http://www.gearztv.com/index.php?conten ... c=12_14178
The "Costa Lotta-the reason so much of the month is left at the end of the Money!!" I have $1600.00 in mine, 4 months build time and 23 trips to Lowes. Good luck in your build Emma.
Til later by the fire--John T.

[asianflava]

It is possible to build it in your apt, but it will depend on how much mess you are willing to put up with. In college, it was nothing for us to build subwoofer enclosures in the apt. We'd use the circular saw on the patio and screw them together inside. When we were ready to move, we even did the sawing inside. Most of our furniture was already gone so we didn't care how dusty it got.

Even if you could build every piece inside, you will eventually have to find a place to put the pieces together. Like almost all airplane builders, they eventually have to move to a hanger to put all the pieces together. A storage unit like MJ suggested would fill the bill.

[Roly Nelson]

Oh, EmmaZ, if only you could squeeze a four foot wide teardrop trailer through your three foot wide apartment door, you would be home free.

Fat chance for that ever happening. My suggestion would be to somehow find an appropiate space to build your dream teardrop, such as: perhaps a rental garage, a friends back yard, a corner of an industrial building, a workshop that is is unused for a short time, a triple garage, that has extra space that is unused, or mayby a highschool woodshop, that would go along with having a fine looking female woodworker, giving pointers to young studs, contimplating the construction of a teardrop of their own.

Looking back, 50 years ago, I would have loved to have a gal come into our highschool workshop and let us interact with her efforts to construct a one-of-a-kind teardrop trailer, from start to finish.

However, if none of these options are viable, come on out to So Calif, and I will provide the needed space for you to to complete your build. All you have to do is convince the sweet wife that my intentions are honorable and, after all, after 56 years, what else would they be? Good luck on your build, and don't let your dream fade, no matter what the reason. Building and using a teardrop trailer will change your life, I promise.

Roly, just an old retiree, trying to be helpful to a damsal in distress.

[Miriam C.]

Oh dear! We are a fun lovin bunch here. Some advice, dig out your camera, do all the decorating stuff till the weather lets it get warm and then start building.

You don't want splinters in the carpet or furniture so the kitchen is the place to build. Don't dig a hole in the floor though. Depending on the size of apartment you can do all the pre-assembly stuff inside. At that point you should have made enough contacts to use someones garage and maybe even get some help with the heavy lifting.

OH yeah and to the playground
http://tnttt.com/viewforum.php?f=15

There are some great people in Utah who can probably get you up and building.

[jmtk]

Welcome to the forum, Emma!

If you really want to attempt to build in your apartment, I'd suggest you get a copy of Steve Frederick's shop manual. His idea is to assemble all the main components (walls, doors, floor, ceiling/roof) separately and flat on a workbench, then put them all together in a "barn raising" fashion. Obviously putting it all together would have to be done elsewhere, but building the components in your apartment might be doable. If you can get the 4x8 plywood sheets in, you can get the teardrop-shaped sidewalls made from them out. The big problem with doing the work in your apartment would be the mess - sawdust all over. I worked in 2D for almost half a year before putting all the pieces together. Check out this thread for more info: http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=10808&highlight=

Have fun! And, oh yeah, I'm in your neck of the woods.

Jeanette

[madprinter]

Hi Emma, Welcome.
Wish you where closer, I'd let you do all the building you wanted at my house. I'd even give you a hand .
Seriously, yheres got to be somneone else from the forum thats with your driving range that can help you.
Come on guys shes a Cutie. Sexy girl, welding, hammering , sweating, sounds to hot.
Sorry Emma, did'nt mean to be so sexist, just got carried away.
Will