I have to preface this that this build is going faster than I can take pictures so if there is something you'd like to see, shout out and I'll try and get a picture for you.
If you followed this over from the Newbie Forum, you know that I am a custom cabinet maker by trade. The design has been in process since Christmas and conditions were right to cut it loose in the shop.
On Monday the 17th I picked up the steel tubing for the frame at Metals Depot in Winchester, KY. They've got a good web site listing all sizes and prices. The tubing for the frame is 2 x 2 x 1/8 wall.
Also picked up all sheet goods at our cabinet supplier Flagg Inc. In Nicholasville, KY. Cabinets and Floor are 1/2" Baltic Birch, Exterior and interior skins are 1/8" Baltic Birch. Wall sides are 3/4" Luan.
The guys were finishing details on the last cabinet job so I was able to get drawings ready for the frame and floor.
Monday evening all electrical was order from Tweety's. WFCO convertor, porch lights, galley lights, 12 volt plugs, interior lights.
Tuesday morning was a trip to Gatormade Trailers for axle, jack, fenders, light kit, and coupler. Gatormade is in Somerset, KY but they have a good Ebay store. Since I'm only about 40 miles from their brick and mortar, I was able to pick up and no shipping !!
Got back to the shop and started routing parts.
The filon skin was order Tuesday afternoon from Factory RV Surplus.
Ouch that one hurt the budget at $19+ /running foot. Yea I know it's 103 inches wide, but if your trying to do this without seams, it's still a $700 date including shipping.
By late Tuesday we were able to see what the frame was going to look like.
The next one will either use a .090 wall tube for everything but the hitch or maybe C Channel.
The mounting for the axles is just tacted in place to see if the balance is right. Got to remeber to finish those welds or first ride will be the last.
The floor was also built, insulated and gooped by late Tuesday.
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It might be weeks for this thing to dry with the humidity we've had.
Wednesday was cutting parts for the cabinets. This one about drove me crazy for the programming.
From my cabinet building, I have found that anytime you can dado a joint, you get alot stronger part.
The cabinets are made from 1/2" baltic birch and the entire group is about 25 parts.
Getting the holes the right size, the dados in the right spot, electrical access, ??? hope I haven't created some sort of Chinese puzzle that can only be assembled if the moon is full and you have to hold your tongue out just so.
We'll find out on Monday
I've got to admit that I would never even attempt to build without a router
We use a Komo VR512 with a 10 tool changer.
The software for programming this job is Vectrics V-Carve pro.
We use a different software on the cabinet side, but for the one time parts this project entails, V-carve works better.
Lot of finish parts starting to come out by late Wednesday
Wed afternoon was my first call to Grant at Lil'Bear. All aluminum Molding, Handles, Latches, and Windows are come from Lil'Bear
Thursday was just a grunt day.
Plane and cut roof spars, 3/4 x 1 1/2 White Oak. If it's good enough for Horse Fences it's good enough for the teardrop. Seriously, white oak is a great exterior wood
Sand all cabinet parts.
Cut insulation for walls
Prime the frame wth Rustoleum
The only exciting thing was assembly of the outer skin and spars for the galley hatch.
Again the router made it easier but it was still a gluey mess that took 3 trys to get it square.
First package of electrical came in. Porch lights. galley lights, 12 volt plugs
fantastic fan.
Friday was a good day
Finally enough stuff to start dry fitting things together.
Fan is in place and start pulling electrical wires.
BUMS
