SawTooth XL - Update 6.27.11 - Repairs started

[dwgriff1]

Glad it is going better.

Perseverance pays off (I am told).

One day I want to see this critter! One of my friends stopped to visit you a while back, he gave a good report.

Neighbor dave

[stomperxj]

Thanks for the compliments everyone. I have been looking at my trailer spreadsheet and deciding what i can buy and when. I'm hoping to get some CPES on the way in about a month or so. I have one modification i have to do to the hatch seal area and then its ready for some epoxy

I'll keep you all posted and post pics as soon as there is progress

[stomperxj]

UPDATES!!

Thanks for all the positive encouragement and patience everyone! Finally got something done to the trailer this weekend after being on hiatus for about 9-10 months.... Bondo and sanding time

Filled screw and staple holes and also trimmed the hatch area. I'm changing how the hatch fits on the back. I'm extending the hatch out to the edge of the body and that way i'll have a double seal on 3 sides. I also have a helper now Nicole is totally gung ho about helping and is a good motivator and wants to get it done

Here's some pics:











Updates in a couple weeks hopefully!!

[boujei]

Awesome seeing it coming back to life!! Helps having a helper...and a pretty one to boot!!

[aggie79]

FANTASTIC! (please excuse the caps) Besides the great design, your story is even more motivating. I can't wait to see your progress pictures again.

[YuGun]

That'is the amazing building story that i have ever seen,
I read don't stop in hours,
very pleased.
I expect you can go everywhere you want with this and do good camps,

[Mikey1975]

Good news! I finally scored a real job. IT tech support for a local insurance company. Today is the end of my first week.... I never thought i'd be out of a job for 14 months but its finally over.... So as soon as the weather breaks and i can get some finances squared away I'll be pulling the sawtooth out of storage and buying some CPES

same here 13 months out of work and this is my seecond week alot less per hour but it is something.

[BILLYGOAT]

wow im a newb and you have totally motivated me to go in a different direction. great build and design. i was un familliar with the hopper till your thread. thanks for some awesome tech. way to go dude.

have you weighed it?

[stomperxj]

I haven't weighed it yet. My estimate is between 750 and 800lbs.

More progress this weekend. Nicole and I have been sanding like mad off and on for a couple weeks. Im pretty sick of it

I put a 3/8" radius on the outside edges to make it look a little better and to prevent any paint chippage later on. Also i added 1" to the outside of the hatch on both ends since i changed the way the hatch lays on the back. I am going to have to get some different hinges for the hatch. The piano hinge isn't going to cut it. I cut the hole for the Fantastic Vent today too... Here are the pics:





Nicole laying up some more bondo






More progress soon hopefully. The next big step is CPES...

Jess

[eatatjoz]

More progress this weekend. Nicole and I have been sanding like mad off and on for a couple weeks. Im pretty sick of it

Maybe you should call it saw dust instead of saw tooth

Seriously, your creation is the reason I have mine. Not nearly as detailed or pretty, but you sure gave it inspiration.

[schaney]

Nice to see forward progress again. Yes the filling and sanding phase can take a while.

[stomperxj]

More progress.... Have I said i'm sick of sanding yet?

Got a few things done. More bondo and sanding, installed the new stainless hinges from McMaster with stainless #10 screws, tested the new 40lb gas struts, and more bondo and sanding...







This part of the body was worrying me a little. The panel didnt line up very well at all. A belt sander and some bondo fixed it though



More later. Hopefully going to start rolling some CPES next weekend if the weather holds for me...

Jess

[bgordon]

Jess,

It's looking good!

Seeing that you are not using a hurricane hinge, how are you planning to seal the top of the hatch to prevent water and dust from coming in?

[stomperxj]

Jess,

It's looking good!

Seeing that you are not using a hurricane hinge, how are you planning to seal the top of the hatch to prevent water and dust from coming in?

Double row of weatherstrip at the top and sides. I hope it keeps the water out or im in trouble

Did some CPES'ing last weekend and this weekend had big plans to do a second coat and some other stuff and mother nature decided to pour rain all weekend.... bummer. I did get a few things done though. Started mounting the fenders and got the tail light boxes cut out for the lights. I got a package from superbrightleds.com the other day too...







Thats it for this round... Hopefully more progress this week after work. We'll see how the weather holds out.

Jess

[aggie79]

Very nice Jess.

Sorry to hear about the rain. Your design looks better with every detail that is added.