Build 3 - Scenic Solo (Camping On the Blue Ridge)

[Oldragbaggers]

I'm really enjoying this build. I like your sink cabinet.

[john]

Thanks OldRagBaggers.

In my haste to install the galley cabinetry on the past two builds I'd leave myself with no room for the standardized hatch supports I'd purchased. I'd be forced to make my own.

First Build

Second Build:

That was then, this is now and I almost repeated the mistake of building the cabinetry first twice. But I did not. I have manged to rough install the hatch and locate my hatch prop so that I can build my cabinetry around the prop rather than the other way around.

The Pics:

[john]

Between work and rain I finally got the galley together with only a few coats of poly remaining. NOAA is calling for a cool dry Saturday so fiberglass is on the schedule. I guess I will see how it works with hardboard.











In this build I saved weight by avoiding drawer slides for the cook stove. That is not to say I didn't consider a single burner hiking stove for the same reason, but I do have this used a filthy cook stove on hand while I do not have or wish to buy a hiking burner.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I love it!! I can't imagine trying to force that piece into place though.

[john]

Thanks.

With a little bow along the length it just slipped in, then with the kerfs bent like rubber around the curve.

[KCStudly]

Very unique and nice design on the galley cabinets. Makes cubbies turn into bins and light weight, too. Good idea.

[john]

I have found in my previous builds that items in the bins stay put as the hatch, once closed, holds otherwise lose items in place.

The lower bins, however, I am not so sure about. I believe my paper towel holder, which will be mounted to the hatch, will hold the stove in place when the hatch is closed. Unfortunately the smaller bin to the left will not have the benefit of a paper towel holder to secure items in place. I suppose I could mount the piece I cut out as a door in that smaller lower bin, but for now I believe I'll let it slide. Other solutions may arise.

[john]

Although I plan to use aluminum on the sides, I am fiber-glassing the roof. On my previous build I only glassed the skin but after some issues with the luan substrate on that build I decided that on this build I would use fiber.

I also decided to experiment with landscaping material as the fiber this time around. It is visually ugly but otherwise seems to function okay. It does not lay into the wetted skin as though statically attracted like the standard material. Additionally, I have yet to sand anything so I do not know how well the material will accept sanding.

[KCStudly]

Cool. Long term test will tell the tale.

[danlott]

I am fiber-glassing the roof. On my previous build I only glassed the skin but after some issues with the luan substrate on that build I decided that on this build I would use fiber.

When you say that you only glassed the skin on your previous build, do you mean you only used epoxy and no fiberglass?

Did you use epoxy or polyester resin to wet out the landscaping fabric? Do you plan on painting the roof? Also I like the idea of the landscaping fabric, curious how it will hold up long term.

Dan

[john]

I am fiber-glassing the roof. On my previous build I only glassed the skin but after some issues with the luan substrate on that build I decided that on this build I would use fiber.

When you say that you only glassed the skin on your previous build, do you mean you only used epoxy and no fiberglass?

Did you use epoxy or polyester resin to wet out the landscaping fabric? Do you plan on painting the roof? Also I like the idea of the landscaping fabric, curious how it will hold up long term.

Dan

You're right, I did say "glass". That was not accurate. I should have said epoxy without fiberglass. I know it isn't correct thinking but I tend to think of fiberglass as two different things: the fiber and then the glass (epoxy) and although I have relearned that glass and epoxy are not interchangeable terms, I repeatedly do just that.

I used epoxy with the landscaping fabric and after a few rounds of sanding I plan to paint it. As for longevity I would expect it to outlast canvas but I am not sure why either would outlast the other once encapsulated in the epoxy and protected from UV rays with paint.

This much I can tell you so far:
==The fabric I chose does not rip. It is tough and very light weight. However, it is easily cut with a single sided razor.
==The fabric was cheap and it was available.
==The fabric resists bending so wrapping it around a corner is difficult.
==The fabric did not always lay flat producing random "bubbles" that were really puckers in the fabric that I believe were due to manufacturing. Over small areas (the size of a saucer) there was a shade too much fabric forcing a bubble or pucker. But, really, how much consistency should we expect from landscaping material? I cut the puckers in half with a razor and allowed one edge to overlap the other along the cut then pressed it back down. Viola -- no more "bubbles". There were only around 10 or 15 of these.
==Don't expect the fabric I chose to follow a compound curve at all. That is not much of a problem for the stuff most of us do around here but some of the other weaves of fabric I passed on would have been more forgiving.
==It's ugly.

[john]

I finally got the little thing painted Saturday. I paint so infrequently (last time was 4 years ago) that the chore rarely goes smoothly, as I am forced to relearn by error that which I have already learned many times.

In the end I am happy with the result.

As for using the landscaping material, it works - with work. As a result I do not feel landscaping material is cost effective.

Once the paint is fully cured I'll re-install the hinge and mount the latch after which the hatch should seat better.

[Hillmann]

So in those pictures that is paint, and not aluminum? If so that looks like a wonderful paint job or the camera hid a lot of mistakes. Did you brush it on or roll it or spray it? And what type of paint is it?

[john]

Automotive paint spayed out of a cheap Kobalt that Lowes had on the sale table some years ago.

[john]

A few weeks ago I tried out the Solo along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mid October... perfect leaves.

Just thought I'd post some near complete pictures of the Scenic Solo.

Still comes in at 'round 320lbs. Once the A/C is in I should still be around 350lbs unloaded. Pleased. I thought the aluminum sides would add more...