My first teardrop - the Kampster, Final Posting

[Mike_La]

I won't get to work on the teardrop for a few days still, but I did mess around a little bit with a "data plate" reminiscent of ones on old Kenskill trailers.



I can print this on a polyester paper with adhesive backing, or on a water slide transfer decal. Both can be done using a regular laser printer. I'm leaning toward the polyester paper just due to ease of application.

Brad

Hi Brad,

You build is coming along nicely.

I've been toying with DATA plates also.



This is a copy(from the net) that I modifies.

[bbarry]

Hi Brad,

You build is coming along nicely.

I've been toying with DATA plates also.

Thanks Mike! I like the idea of a ID plate, I don't know why. I just think it lends a finishing touch.

I neglected to mention in my post yesterday that the inspector came by and signed off on all the cabinet work.



Brad

[bbarry]

Got a little bit done today. The Formica came in and we got it down on the main countertop.



The trim I had was too wide (tall) so I cut it down to 3/4" and attached it with the same stainless steel screws I used on the aluminum skin.



Here's the sliding cabinet with the face frame on (but side door still missing).



The top of the face frame is actually part of a sliding support for the folding countertop. When it's closed up, it simply looks like a door panel.



Now the first top is attached and has contact cement on it.



Formica is on and ready to be trimmed with the router.



All in all, I'm really pleased with how it's turning out. The white beaded board panels look good with the boomerang Formica and polished trim. There are just so many little details to be finished up...now I've decided to make a roll-top breadbox for the upper counter. Oh, and a cover for the a/c, and...

Brad

[Mike_La]

The cabinets look real good, Brad. I like the Formica pattern.

[Cliffmeister2000]

Very nice!

[Anthony J Grant]

[S. Heisley]

The details are what make it special and your own. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing!

[Miriam C.]

Great design element. That cabinet will be so convenient.

[bbarry]

Thanks everybody! Posting new pics keeps me motivated to get stuff done...just trying to keep the bubble level, Aunti!

Brad

[Classic Finn]

Brad your tear is looking very nice.. I like the detail youve put into it as well. Ive been lurking on your Journal everyday..

Beautiful. I also found the same material to use on the galley counter as you have. Most likely costs twice as much here though. Ive got the samples of it here at home.

[bbarry]

Brad your tear is looking very nice.. I like the detail youve put into it as well. Ive been lurking on your Journal everyday..

Beautiful. I also found the same material to use on the galley counter as you have. Most likely costs twice as much here though. Ive got the samples of it here at home.

Thanks! There are several different colors of this pattern available. Although these pics make it look like the Aqua Boomerang, it's actually the Skylark Boomerang. From the Formica press release when they brought this pattern back:

...the new 2005 Boomerang collection was styled using original Skylark colors from the 50s but incorporates modern printing techniques. Colors include Skylark, a light, powdery blue; Aqua, a trendy spa-like water color; Coral, a rich retro red; and Charcoal, a warm gray with contrasting tones of white and black. All of the new designs feature the same classic boomerang-shaped designs that captured consumers' hearts in the 1950s, when happy kitchen colors, playful patio parties, charcoal grilled steaks and tinkling martini glasses were the order of the day.

Mmmm...steaks and martinis. Sounds good to me! I don't know what regular retail pricing is for this laminate. http://www.barsandbooths.com/bandblaminates.htm has it listed for US$300 for a 4x10 sheet? Seems way too high. My wife got a 4x8 sheet through her work (local building materials company) for US$50. Their supplier offered to just give it to her, but she's big on that ethical "no kickbacks" policy her company has.

Brad

[Creamcracker]

I like those Data plates...what program did you use to create them?
Philip

[bbarry]

I like those Data plates...what program did you use to create them?
Philip

I just used MS Word to mock one up (I don't have Photoshop on the laptop I use primarily). I will put the final version together in Photoshop on the desktop when I know the weight and take advantage of Jody's kind offer.

Brad

[bbarry]

Well, there wasn't a lot of visible progress today, but here's a few things that got done. Doors for all cabinets are together and I got the one for the galley painted and hung. Free hinges from Grandpa's hardware store worked perfectly and match the polished aluminum counter edging and handle hardware.



Here's how I built the door frames. As you can see, I made a rabbit for the beaded board panel and mortised each end joint. In addition, what you can't see here is an additional rabbit to allow the door to sit 3/8" into the doorframe opening. It was a little time consuming but I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out after a little work with the sander.





Today we also framed up a cover to hide the air conditioner. It will soon have an opening door and screen to protect the fins. I made it out of white pine as I had run out of poplar. After working with pine again, I realize how much I miss poplar. For painted cabinetry, poplar and birch are the best as far as I'm concerned. With the pine, I had to fill a number of imperfections with

I also had to be very aware of where the hatch came down when closed. As it turned out, we had to round over the edge of the cover to give enough clearance. All in all, I think it'll be fine.

[Sam I am]

Very nice work, Brad! The slide out counter support looks like a great design. The A/C cover is a good idea, too. Looking good!
Sam