My first teardrop - the Kampster, Final Posting

[2bits]

Hey, I figure there is no cabinets or electrical in a tent either so your mindset is right on the money! Electrical can be an extension cord and power strip temporarily too. You are making great progress!

[bbarry]

Was the hatch hard? My husband is fearing the hatch build.

Do you have progress pictures on your hatch? It looks real good!

It's not attached yet, so I'll withhold final judgement for now. It wasn't hard, but one needs to keep in mind all the various levels involved (hatch rib, hatch skin, sidewall notch depth, weatherstripping height, etc.). I'll try to post some detailed pictures after it's done. I'm only skinning the hatch itself and a 2" strip of aluminum will overlap the sidewall and make contact with the seal. This is different than my original plan which I detailed earlier in this thread.

As an aside, it doesn't appear to be a mark of shame to build a second hatch...several people here have!

Brad

[2bits]

I think I can say for the consensus of people... It is intimidating to build until you do it and then... "that was it?" Just understand it first and it will be a piece of cake.

You're just cutting the ribs out of plywood, and putting a cap at each end:


Then putting 1x2s to give it a little structure:


Wrap your underlayment (or final covering) over it!


Then wrap an additional exterior around it if your plan calls for it!


add your tail lights and other goodies (the hatch hinge choice will keep you up at nights if you are like me) and you are done!



It is DEFINITELY an entire project within itself because you have wiring, and the latching, the hinge, the side edges and how it will be sealed, but as long as you do your research right here on the forum, you will be fine and very proud of the results! Sorry to stray from your build Brad.

[SIXTOTWO]

Thanks Thomas!! You do make it look easy.
The more pictures we see the better for us...we're visual individuals. lol

[bbarry]

I promised progress on Thursday, and progress you shall have!

It was the first time I've worked with aluminum, and I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with the results so far. I traced the outline on with a Sharpie and cut it out with tin snips (a bit of a chore, but not too bad). It helped to have Grandpa there to put the scrap piece away and make room for the snips. This left a little bit of a rough edge, but it will all be covered with trim.

The side on. It looks dimpled, but it's not this bad in real life. There are a few scratches to polish out.


Closeups of panhead screws. I'm really pleased...with the square drive, they do look a lot like rivets which was just the look I wanted.




Grandpa uses a piece of scrap to help hold the aluminum while I cut the door out from the inside with a sabre saw. I then used the router with a flush cut bit to trim it up and make it look purdy. I didn't use a speed controller, but it seemed to work just fine. I got uniform aluminum chips and no signs of melting.


The wheels had to come off to get all the screws in the bottom row.


...and the top piece goes on without a hitch so far. I predrilled the bottom front while off the trailer, then after lifting on, it just sat right down like it wanted to be there. It was way easier than the plywood skin (which was not all that hard).


Next up: caulk and screw the roof edge trim, cut out the vent hole and install the vent. Then, the hatch, and doors.

Oh...and my trim and windows arrived from Grant. Yay! Also, my mother-in-law is finished piecing the quilt for it and it is off to Roger's (T-Vicky here on T&TTT) wife for quilting on her long-arm quilting machine.

Brad

[aggie79]

Two thumbs up Brad! That is one fine looking teardrop you have there.

Tom

[Tyson]

Thanks for posting your progress! I'm new to the site, but ive learned a lot in reading this thread! your tear drop looks real good

[bbarry]

Thanks for posting your progress! I'm new to the site, but ive learned a lot in reading this thread! your tear drop looks real good

Ooooo, people learning from me...scary! Seriously, glad you found it useful! I read for hours on end before beginning my build.

Today (after church like a good boy), I got the edge trim caulked and screwed on. Boy, does that really finish it off and make it look nice! I also installed the vent in the ceiling. Against most folks' advice, I went with an inexpensive Ventline fan. I didn't think it made a terrible racket and it moved plenty of air for my needs...and it was $40 compared to $BigMoney$$ for a Fantastic.

Also, ripped down some 1/8" thick aluminum stock into 3/4" strips to use to stiffen my plastic hinge. It was easy to cut with the bandsaw. I just rigged up a guide out of scrap lumber and a couple of clamps and away we went. It did need some work on the belt and disc sander to get rid of the bandsaw marks.

Sorry no pictures...they're on an SD card over at Grandma's house. Off to St. Louis again for work...more progress promised on Thursday!

Brad

[2bits]

Looking forward to pics of that trim! I got a cool looking roof vent with no fan for $18 on eBay but I wish I would have just spent the dollareenies on the fantastic fan, for when I am camping with only 12v. I am glad you got one with a fan at all though!

[bbarry]

Quick update, pics only. I gotta run...we're going to see "The Producers" tonight.











It's down to the wire. I have no available days off until ITG3, only a few hours here and there...and a door to finish. I'll only have one door done, the other one has not been cut out of the aluminum side skin yet so it's watertight. Hope to see everyone there. We won't get in until Friday night.

Brad

[starleen2]

That Aluminum skins and square drive screws sure make it look nice - Isn't it good to have an extra set of Hands around?

[2bits]

that's the exact same way I am doing my hatch hinge, continuous plastic hinge and some aluminum strips. Keep it simple! Excellent work!

[teardrop_focus]

Hey Brad! Your progress over the last two months has been great!

Thanks for sharing the pics!

And here's hoping you have a trouble-free tow to ITG3.

[bbarry]

AAAURRRGGGHHHH! My schedule just got changed and now I have EVEN LESS time to work on a door. I'm beginning to doubt...

Brad

[teardrop_focus]

When in doubt... whip it out!

The work, I mean!




jo0 kin doo eet!