Thrifty Alternatives ..Building Foam Campers

[eaglesdare]

wow you have some really cool planes in there! not too sure on that link for beginners though. i will be checking it out.

maybe i could come up with boat building with some of this foam. i think the boys might like that.

[GPW]

Boat's a good place to start ... Keep it simple ... Just like trailers ... Probably could take some leftover foam and build something like this for the boys.. http://www.scribd.com/doc/17819141/Featherweight-Kayak

[eaglesdare]

wow, that is cool. but wasn't thinking on the lines of a real boat. but more like those planes, just in boats. play boats. although you do have me doing some thinking. i think that would make a great addition to the foamie tear.

[GPW]

Model boats are Fun , but big boats allow you to go fishing , catch dinner !!!

[eaglesdare]

i have just been checking out the cardboard builds. now my wheels are turning. i think i am going to give a real size boat a try. i believe i have enough left over foam. this is going to be fun to try.

but first things first, i must finish my teardrop! there is a deadline for that. hmmm but while glue or paint is drying, what to do then... would 2 projects been doable at the same time?
[ that was not a real question btw, my hubby has a million things going on at once ]


pray for another nice warm weather, non raining day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i need to get out there and work on my tear.

[GPW]

"The Fine Art of Project Management " ... Around here , there's always many things going on at once ... everything seems to have it's own "time" ... Waiting for things like glue drying ,or the weather, I just work on something else ... Typically , these things seem to go on for months and all seem to arrive (finish) about the same time ... Crazy , I know !!!

Eagle , sounds like you've been bitten by the "building bug" ... Seek help immediately !!!

[eaglesdare]

[eaglesdare]

gpw i need some advise. when i first put up our mailbox, i painted with white acrylic paint, the numbers on the box. eventually the white ran down and the white got faded.


i was thinking of doing some painting on my canvas. but thinking about that mailbox will that happen on the canvas. can it be done, can i paint with acrylics onto the canvas and it stays for ever? would i need to seal it?

i wouldn't want to have to buy all those colors in exterior paint. even small cans would add up.

thanks for any advise on this.

[Wimperdink]

Boat's a good place to start ... Keep it simple ... Just like trailers ... Probably could take some leftover foam and build something like this for the boys.. http://www.scribd.com/doc/17819141/Featherweight-Kayak

Very cool. I might have to give that a shot.

[droid_ca]

this thread has been a good inspiration I like the idea of working with foam and other exotic materials it fascinating to me I have been wanting to do a practice build before I dive in and take on a full size and full expense project but I like the idea of the weight savings of foam so my question is a 4 X 8 sheet of foam vs plywood strength aside what is the weight savings say inch thick

thanks sorry about any confusion

[GPW]

Eagle , you planning on some Artwork ??? I painted some 4X8 signs for a local Rock Music store , used artist acrylic paints and they lasted 10 years with nothing on them ... Some good UV varnish would have probably protected them better , but they were outside,facing the broiling western sun , and right next to an expressway , with all those fumes , etc... A testament to acrylic paint ... ... and by then the music store was out of business anyway ...

Dink, a boat is always a good idea around here...

Droid , 1" foam sheet is pretty light I think it's like 2 lbs/cu.ft .... plywood is like 57 lb. per cu. ft. Big Difference .. The foam only has minimal strength , but once skinned on both sides is surprisingly Strong !!! The skin is the secret !!!
Now I got a sheet of ply for the floor , 3/4" Pine so HEAVY , I can't pick it up...

[Wimperdink]

Dink, a boat is always a good idea around here...

I've built 3 lil plywood canoes and a lil tiny plywood hydro so far.... I've often wondered about styrofoam.. I've just not seen it done like that. My buddy and I were trying to figure out how to build some small, light, cheap and easy rigs to do some afternoon fishing with. That looks like the ticket.

[eaglesdare]

4x8 1" or even 2" thick is very light weight. i have both. i can pick up both, and i am an old lady. but i can not pick up a sheet of ply. just becareful when handling foam in the wind. you might think you grew wings.

i have very little wood in my tear, even without the skins on it is very sturdy and pretty darn strong. i can only imagine how much stronger it will become once the skins are on.

foam boats will work. google cardboard boats. heck they only use glue and masking tape on them. but the foam will give you something that you can shape and design that will last more than one trip out. add that t2 and canvas and wow.


and yeah i was thinking about getting a little bit artsy. hehehe

[steve smoot]

Eaglesdare, pictures

[droid_ca]

I like that kind of weight savings cause as of now I could build a light weight motorcycle trailer that would be comfy for road trips light weight torrsion half axles plywood floor foam walls waterproof canvas top it should be good stepping stone project