Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

by **Cliffmeister2000** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:40 am

That is one awesome deck! Mine is only 1/2"!

Just curious, any idea what the deck weighs?

by **DMcCam** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 10:52 am

Hi Cliff, We calculated that the sandwich deck would have weighed about 130lbs and the 1 1/8" is around 110lbs. I wanted to make sure that the wall attachment had enough 'meat' to be really strong. I'll tell you one thing, the sucker doesn't flex a bit standing on it...or jumping!

Cheers,

Dave

by **aggie79** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 11:26 am

Dave,

It's good to see some sawdust flying! I know you're happy too. The deck looks really good on your frame.

Take care, Tom

by **nevadatear** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 5:56 pm

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness a teardrop is being built!

by **DMcCam** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:12 pm

Hi Tom and Debbie (and Randy if he's a watchin' over your shoulder), Thanks for the happy spurs guys!

It feels kind of odd but good now that it's started. Even with all the planning I've already had to tweak a few things so I'm guessing that's normal. Once we get the walls it'll be lots more fun though!!

All the Best,

Dave

by **nevadatear** » Mon Apr 18, 2011 7:25 pm

absolutely normal! I know you wanted everything laid out in design before you started, but that just isn't the way it happens! :shock:

Once you see it in 3D, things change! But better to make it the way you want it, than to be sorry you didn't make the change later! Oh, and yeah, Randy is watching over my shoulder, he just hates to type. He says he spends enough time on the computer with work, he prefers me to let him know of the important stuff, like DAVE HAS SAWDUST! We are headed up to the Dam gathering next weekend, and a week camping in nor cal before, enjoying our tear! as you will be soon.

by **DMcCam** » Tue Apr 19, 2011 9:46 am

So far the revisions have been very slight but I've just started. If nothing changes, I'll be able to devote a lot of time to the build over the next few weeks. With any luck we'll be joining you two sooner than later.

Cheers, Dave

by **DMcCam** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 1:32 pm

We got a lot done this weekend on the walls! My friend Tom graciously worked all Saturday with me at his plant CNCing our wall materials.

First cut on the 3/4" plywood for the skeletonized walls.

3/8" mortis is cut in first.

Here it's cutting all the interior holes and such.

First wall and door cut out!

Second wall is a perfect mirror...sweet!

We cut all the hatch ribs, roof blocking and a few other parts from another sheet of 3/4" plywood.

Next up was all the interior and exterior 1/8" birch panels. They match both sides; unbelievable time savings here.

My two skeletonized walls were laid on the floor like butterfly wings to make sure the interior skins matched.

A couple dark shots of the walls held in place on the deck to get a feel for the scale.

I'll post better shots soon.

Cheers,

Dave

by **Cliffmeister2000** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 2:51 pm

Wow! That is awesome! Does Tom need any new friends?

by **pete42** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 3:27 pm

sweet!

by **aggie79** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 4:20 pm

Dave,

All I have to say is "stunning". (That will probably be a repetitive comment for your build.)

Take care,
Tom

by **GuyllFyre** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 4:51 pm

I was looking for CNC in this area to do pretty much exactly what you're doing there.

I'll end up doing it by hand most likely, with drill, circular saw, jigsaw, and/or router.

Looks awesome.

by **DMcCam** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:22 pm

Cliffmeister2000 wrote:Wow! That is awesome! Does Tom need any new friends?

Hi Cliff, I asked him if he was in the market for adopting a 53 year old...no luck.

pete42 wrote:sweet!

Thanks Pete!

aggie79 wrote:All I have to say is "stunning". (That will probably be a repetitive comment for your build.)

You're too kind good Sir; thank you very much (I hope I can live up to it).

GuyllFyre wrote:I was looking for CNC in this area to do pretty much exactly what you're doing there. I'll end up doing it by hand most likely, with drill, circular saw, jigsaw, and/or router.

Looks awesome.

Thank you Guy! CNC is worth looking into for the profiles especially if your design is a fluid curve with mortises. I figure it saved me a week or so of work. It wouldn't be cost effective for straight cuts for cabinetry unless you're building multiple TD's though.

All the Best,

Dave

by **Rudyjr** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:42 pm

Wow, That is amazing! Beautiful job.

by **down under tech** » Mon Apr 25, 2011 9:59 pm

Hello Dave: You are going to have the best looking TD in the area, if not the country. The CNC is so nice and precise. I am jealous now. lol
Looking good... This is going to be fun to watch her come to life. :applause:

Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

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