Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[GPW]

Aggie, Thanks Tom !!! Great link !!!

[eaglesdare]

yes great link. i was just checking it out.

[GPW]

... and that appeared to be 1" foam ... laminated in a few spots ...I'll bet it's LIGHT !!!
I remember a while back Glassice built TDs out of foam and fiberglass...

[aggie79]

... and that appeared to be 1" foam ... laminated in a few spots ...I'll bet it's LIGHT !!!

GPW,

I've seen it up close and in person. I want to say Dave used 3/4" foam but can't say for sure. I'm thinking 3/4" since that would work easier for the 1x lumber and 3/4" plywood used for some of the hardpoints.

Dave built most of the components separately, and then he and Cindy had a barn-raising party to assemble the teardrop. I wanted to go, but had a conflict that weekend.

It really is a very nice teardrop.

Tom

[GPW]

I surely would like to have seen that ...

[eaglesdare]

another question: i know you say thicker is better or stronger. so which would be better: two pieces of 1" foam glued together, or one piece of 2" foam?

[starleen2]

another question: i know you say thicker is better or stronger. so which would be better: two pieces of 1" foam glued together, or one piece of 2" foam?

One piece foam Ia always better than two glued together - but if you have two pieces and NOT one then glue them together. All this to say - : if you have the choice - go with the one piece. Lot less hassle with the gluing

[eaglesdare]

thank you.

[GPW]

Eagle , done with that model yet ... If I have a little extra time , I have the materials ,and may try one myself ... Great way to visualize a Proof of concept ... Cheap!
We could , in a pinch , use corrugated cardboard for the model ... Sorta' simulates the thickness of the foam .. and is readily available from any cardboard box... Just a model eh ?

[eaglesdare]

no i haven't done my model yet. had a tooth extraction yesterday afternoon. not feeling great today. hopefully this weekend i can get out and get some stuff. i want to take a ride up to michaels craft store.

[GPW]

OUCH !!! No FUN !!! Best rest up till you feel better... !!!

Fun going to Michaels !!! ... more than I'd ever need , or could afford ...

[GPW]

Got a little time this weekend ... I think ? Haven't consulted the wife yet ... But starting on a small Proof of Concept model of a Foam trailer.. Going to try and use as authentic materials as possible . Plywood floor , 1/2" foam walls , 1/4" foam for roof and insides (?) , and an old sheet for covering ... T2 and epoxy for glue ...just as with a big trailer ... No attempt at a scale model , just something to see how easy this would actually be ... I'll take some pics as I go ... sorta' like a mini build thread .... Stay Tuned !!!

[eaglesdare]

i am looking forward to it! however, can you not use epoxy? i don't want to use that for a real build.

(still not feeling well with this ex tooth spot, so i am staying doped up and not venturing out. must be gettin old, as i am not healing as fast as i used to.

but i will be checking in often to see what you have done.
i started a box like experiment, just like the one posted in this thread, but my cat took it over.

what exactly would you being using epoxy for? can you substitute?

[GPW]

I'd only be using 5 min. epoxy for the foam to foam joins ... could use gorilla glue , but it would take too long to dry for me ... either should be fine on a bigger build ...

Luckily my Cat is inside , far away from my projects ...

[GPW]

OK, all done with the construction phase ... here's a little teaser... the rest of the build pics are in my Album ... Sorry , didn't want to clog up the pages here ...



Next is the covering ...