My Foamie Build--Updated --Jul 3 I'm eating an elephant

[bonnie]

There is a piece of 43" x 48" 5mm luan sitting in my livingroom. It has lines and a 40" circle and erase marks on the non-pretty side. I'm going for a 22" flat bottom on the circle. I'm using the octagon shape to frame. If I can work out the particulars, there will be a working center door knob. I had to draw the octagon twice to get the sides flat in the correct locations. I tried to take a but it didn't come out. You'll see it soon enough.

Ya know how we talk about wood in stragetic places? Well, this is going to be one of them for this build. There will be foam, too, but a lot of wood.

Now, I need to decide on the latching mechanism and hinges. Looks like regular hinges will work. I just need to figure out how to hide them. Is there such a thing as 1/2 a galley latch?

[PcHistorian]

good thing you have the "temp" camper. you might go into withdrawals. have you started some sketches yet in a note book? maybe print some of these. that way you can think about points anywhere you go, just take the scrape book. AND you can take the scrap book with you to the garage for building...

[wagondude]

Now, I need to decide on the latching mechanism and hinges. Looks like regular hinges will work. I just need to figure out how to hide them. Is there such a thing as 1/2 a galley latch?

If you use the garage door latch with the sliding bars, you can just leave off the bar you don't need. Not sure about the newer ones, but the older ones had a square shaft for the handle. You could go to an antique shop or architectural salvage dealer to find old door knobs (metal or glass) that could be adapted to the shaft in place of the T-handle.

Bill

[bonnie]

So, if I use a two point galley latch system, such as : http://teardroptrailerparts.com/2_Postion_Galley_Lid_Kit.html Could it be mounted vertically so the locking posts are in the top and bottom of the door? Has anyone tried that? Then to stabilize the rest of the door, would several of these ball catch latches help hold the door closed?

http://www.knobsandhardware.com/latches/jvj-hardware-drive-ball-catch-latch_g535114.html?linkloc=cataLogProductItemsName

The above galley latch will take a standard size door knob assembly. I haven't quite figured out the locking part yet.



What has happened to me? I should be in bed. I go to work early in the morning. Yet, here I am looking at door hinges and door knobs. I think I'm doomed.

But what a way to go.

[bonnie]

Ordered the galley latch. Should be here prior to the weekend. The door wall is underway. of progress forthcoming.

[PcHistorian]

that "teardrop galley latch" system is exactly what I have been thinking all along, but you only have to use one half, for the door edge away from the hinge. vertical is an idea too. Those ball things look good to keep wear away from your foam door, which could be disastrous if it wore away too much. So as far as a foam protector go those ball door "guards" as I would call them would be a great idea, especially for the bottom of the door. And yes, the "galley latch" adapted and centered to your hobbit door, with a glass handle I think would look super cool! I bet I could figure out a way to put a tiny LED light behind the glass door handle to make it light at night. (pick your color of LED, white, red, green, yellow,... um...)

You Go Girl! :-)

[bonnie]

El wire would work. I also have LEDs. I think I'm beginning to understand why these little trailers get 'camp-able' but never finished.

[GPW]

There is a Lot of thought and consideration that goes into a trailer build , even a Foamie ... It’s all the "little things” that seem to add to the work ...

[bonnie]

I can see why the process is so addictive. I find myself going over the options and possible additions during the day, even when I'm not actively working on the build. If this door turns out like I hope it will; I'll have my most complex issue solved. Everything else is more straight forward.

Foam does make this possilbe.

[eaglesdare]

sounds like you are enjoying yourself, and that is 1/2 the battle right there!

[mezmo]

'Don't know how you are going to approach building the door...

But wanted to suggest building the door, then build the door
frame so they fit together well, then build the wall that contains
them - instead of building the wall, then the door and its
frame to fit in a preexisting opening - i.e., have the wall
accommodate the door and its frame, not the door and its
frame accommodate the wall.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[bonnie]

'Don't know how you are going to approach building the door...

But wanted to suggest building the door, then build the door
frame so they fit together well, then build the wall that contains
them - instead of building the wall, then the door and its
frame to fit in a preexisting opening - i.e., have the wall
accommodate the door and its frame, not the door and its
frame accommodate the wall.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

Thank you for that! I thought I might be crazy for considering building the door first, then the frame and etc. Waiting on the first parts to come in. Probably on Friday.

[PcHistorian]

I would have thought to do them simultaneously, since you are doing foam. Probably use a circular saw at the desired angle (sides, top) so you can get a good seal. (inside of opening smaller than the outside) except for the bottom, which is level, in and out. But like bank vaults and any other thick, security door, staggered to be smaller inside. A multilayer door of foam (back wall) you might cut the layers individually for that staggered look. Personally I would glue all the layers together and then make the octagon with the angled bladed circular saw. (practice on scrap pieces first.) I'm trying to find pictures of the staggered funneled door edge. not sure if my drafting skills can give you a perspective on that.

[bonnie]

Still waiting on parts, so I've been noodling the particulars as best I can. From other builds, it looks like I'll need wood bracing and something pretty hard to mount the galley latch and the ball catch thingies. This may end up being a sandwich door type of thing. Haven't gotten that far yet. Oh! Last night I found a site that sells antique type mortis locks that use skeleton keys. The deadbolt one doesn't require a handle, so I could use it to lock the door from the outside. Waiting to find out if it also locks from the inside, which I expect it does. This door is not going to be thrifty, I'm afraid. And wait til you see what I have cooked up for the porch light.

[PcHistorian]

(tnttt doesn't allow me to click a "like" button, like facebook.
love the skeleton key idea. :-) (I'm jealous. :-)