Curved square weekender?

[mikeschn]

Thanks, Mike.

I'm watching you build the insulated weekender on the other topic.
Is the framing contributing to a significant difference in the amount of plywood you're using?

Yes, Instead of buying 8 sheets of oak plywood I'll end up with 7 sheets of 1/4" luan, and 1 sheet of 5/8" plywood for the floor. Same number of sheets but a lot less money. So I'll spend some of that money on pine... Pine is definitely lighter than plywood, which is my ultimate goal.

What if, instead of stick-building your framing, you draw it out on a ply sheet and cut out the openings for your insulation? Does this increase or decrease the complexity of the building vs. a stick-built frame (quicker? harder?) and does the gain in sturdiness of the frame compensate for the added weight? If you do this with, say, 3/4'' ply, can you then use the cutouts as source material for cabinet sides, shelves, and doors?

Yes I thought about that too. The biggest drawback to using plywood like that is that you can't use the extruded polystyrene insulation in there. You would have to go with a beadboard insulation and sand a little off, or use fiberglass batting insulation, which doesn't have near the R value that the extruded polystyrene does.

Other than that, starting with 3/4" plywood would definitely make things easier. And yes you could use the cutout material for doors and other things. You'll end up being slightly heavier with plywood framing instead of pine framing, but if you're trying to make your building easier, that is definitely one way to do it. I also don't think it's the cheapest way to go, but then if you compare it to the cost of a new T@B, you're thousands of dollars ahead. And you'd be able to build the body of the Weekender in a weekend!

Mike...

P.S. Do you think I should put up a photo album of the Weekender, a detailed web page with the Weekender, or just post the photos and information here on the board? :

[RC]

I vote for a photo album of the weekender. It would be very interesting to watch a master such as yourself in action.

[mikeschn]

No, I'm not the master. I just like playing with designs, and happened to build a couple of them. The real masters are folks like Steve F and Ross W.

But I could work on a photo album of some kind. Since it's a slow evening here, let me give it some thought.

Mike...

[Laredo]

Mike wrote:
P.S. Do you think I should put up a photo album of the Weekender, a detailed web page with the Weekender, or just post the photos and information here on the board?

Yes.
As in, put a photo album up here. Put all the details on a special page here. And mirror the information on one of the other teardrop sites.

I noticed today that ebay's got plans for the tinytears models on auction starting at $18 each. what with that and the 'camping pod' plans at rqriley's site, you may want to think about a copyright for your Weekender, too.

Thanks for the advice about the plywood framing vs. the pine, too.

[mikeschn]

Okay, I'll keep putting stuff up here on the board, and also put up a webpage somewhere... You guys are keeping me busy!!!

Mike...

[shil]

What if, instead of stick-building your framing, you draw it out on a ply sheet and cut out the openings for your insulation? Does this increase or decrease the complexity of the building vs. a stick-built frame (quicker? harder?) and does the gain in sturdiness of the frame compensate for the added weight? If you do this with, say, 3/4'' ply, can you then use the cutouts as source material for cabinet sides, shelves, and doors?

That's exactly what I did. The cut-out for the door IS the door, the cut-out for the window IS the awning. I used 3/4 plywood with no insulation. My feeling is that the insulation's not really necessary, after all, a tent is warm after you're in there for an hour. A tear is so small, it'll be toasty in fifteen minutes. Just bring a thicker duvet.

I could be wrong. We'll see next Thanksgiving (October 11th).

[angib]

P.S. Do you think I should put up a photo album of the Weekender, a detailed web page with the Weekender, or just post the photos and information here on the board?

I do think there's an argument for making some parts of your Weekender, and this board, a bit more permanent than others. Our normal daily chattering will mean that everything is lost in the sea of information. I know a search should find it, but it'll take hours to do, so nobody really will do it.

Messages people have posted with links to valuable off-site resources is one thing that it would be good to keep when newbies (and everyone) can find them.

Shrug, was it you that posted the bed size info? It's nothing clever, but it's damn useful as a reminder rather than wandering around the house with a tape measure.

Now how you decide the criteria for picking bits out to keep for easy access, there's a minefield I ain't going into.... :cyclopsani:

Andrew

PS Don't ask me what that 'cyclops' emoticon means - I'm just using it 'cos no-one else has.

[mikeschn]

Okay, it's started... there isn't much there yet, but then this stuff takes time...

You can check it out here... the home page is there, and so is the design page...

http://www.mikenchell.com/weekender

Mike...

[robert]

Mike just looked at the weekender site =D> it's great. I look forward to seeing you build and learn your tricks and wrong turns may they be few. This grasshopper is here looking for a master to show him the way of the teardrop so teach me wise one.
Robert

[catrinka]

Thanks Mike for starting the webpage. It is valuable info for us beginners.

[TAILGATINGnNUT]

That site is absolutely perfect , I just hope you can keep up with all the emails you be getting with questions about it lol

[RC]

Great start on the web page Mike. I can't wait for you to add a few more pics and links.

[mikeschn]

Good to hear you guys are liking it. I'll try adding something to it every week day, okay? Why not on weekends? Do you have to ask? I'll be outside with the camera taking photos of the weekender as it progresses!

Mike...

[R Keller]

Yes I thought about that too. The biggest drawback to using plywood like that is that you can't use the extruded polystyrene insulation in there. You would have to go with a beadboard insulation and sand a little off, or use fiberglass batting insulation, which doesn't have near the R value that the extruded polystyrene does.

Mike: I think Grant constructs some of his teardrops this way. And it's not a problem to sand the extruded polystyrene. Probably easier than the beadboard which will tend to shed pellets. See my post on this thread:

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=656

Rik

[mikeschn]

Okay I worked on the improvements page a little bit today. I'll have to clean it up a little when I get home, especially the weight table, but you'll get the idea...

http://www.mikenchell.com/weekender/improvements.html

Mike...