FoamStream...

[mezmo]

Hi GPW,

Something else for "reference":

Click on "Foam Strip Plank Boatbuilding" in
the articles listed under the TOC on the upper
left side [Issue 34, Spring 2012].

http://www.epoxyworks.com/

Wouldn't "cove-and-bead-ing" eliminate all that
kerf-work ? it could be done w/ hot-wire cutters
set up in jigs, it wouldn't need much/any "chinking"
with spray-foam, just the gluing them together should
bond and seal the "cove & beaded" joints. It would also
eliminate most of any "foam-dust" generated if saws
are used to kerf-cut.

Just another approach.

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Wobbly Wheels]

Dunno about styrofoam but I worked on a boat that we cored in 1 1/2" structural PVC foam. The edges had coves and beads cut on a router table once the foam 'planks' were spiled (tapered). It worked great, the trick being to match the adhesive to the foam in terms of hardness to eliminate hard glue lines in the faired finish.

[GPW]

Many ways to skin that Cat ... er, trailer ... All what’s best for You ....

[GPW]

A while back , somebody posted a picture of a “Jules Verne” , inverted boat-like trailer , done with strips ... Probably the original inspiration for the FoamStream (haven’t been able to find it since) ... For my particular situation , that could easily be done with strips of foam , narrow strips along the curved areas ... filled in with spray foam , then sanded to shape and covered... Still seems like a Lot of work ...

Since only half the distance of the sheet foam height on the FS has to be kerfed’, that and the kerfs are 10’ long , the simple hot wire ‘kerf plane” will be quick and efficient ... for me ... Not too messy just leaving long V shaped strips of foam to recycle or move to the skip... And the kerfed foam will be Smoothly rounded on the exterior... no extra sanding (shaping) before putting the canvas on

... another consideration that’s come to mind lately is some extra reinforcement of the roof ... Why ? Just “because “ ... (It’s complicated ! ) The thought was to add an extra layer of TOUGH reinforcing material over the top third of the cylinder (roof) Could be a polyester mat , fiberglass glued with the chosen covering adhesive , kevlar , carbon fiber mat .... many choices , but the idea is just to add a bit of extra strength (puncture resistance ) to the top... Foam is easy enough to patch , but the smaller the damage , the easier the patching .... Just trying to consider “possibilities” ... Wouldn’t increase the weight much , but would increase the “confidence” , especially here, out in the woods with many trees that seem constantly to shed limbs ...

[droid_ca]

A while back , somebody posted a picture of a “Jules Verne” , inverted boat-like trailer , done with strips ... Probably the original inspiration

[GPW]

Droid , that’s the One !!!! THANKS !!!!

[droid_ca]

no worries I like it too looks like an elephant to me just needs some ears

[GPW]

That nose is pretty strange eh ? but I'’ll bet it slices through the air pretty well ... The rear part is similar to the FS ... sorta’

[droid_ca]

I thought of something similar for the front of a vardo style trailer or if its a tiny house make it five walls instead of four

[loaderman]

The angled nose gives more room on the trailer as you use the A part at he front.
However for wind resistance it really does not help, curves are better.

[GPW]

The FoamStream solves both of those problems ... Rounded Nose (slippery) , which uses the front A on the trailer ... more space , 14.13 sq.ft. to be exact ... That’s a Lot of extra floor space really ...

[GPW]

Funny thing about those ribs hanging around ... Everybody wants to walk under them , like it’s some kinda’ HS ring ceremony ... Showed the band last night ... their response was .. “ guess we’ll have to help you carry it outside and put it on the trailer Again ! “

[GPW]

FoamStream moving along Slowly ... next on the list is the final Lumber purchase of the stringers and the flooring materials (cedar fence boards) .. Then there’s the two new rims and tires , one of the old nasty ones cleaned up and used for a spare.

Got the area measured out in the Studio for the skeleton build , going to mark all the measurements with chalk and lines on the concrete floor , just so we get an exact alignment.. have to also make two fixtures for Plumb ribs on the ends ... since all the stringers will be marked at one time , all should fit identically and exactly with no “adjustments “ ... The skeleton is the framework that we’ll hang everything else on , so if we get it Right, foaming and covering will be Easy ... There IS enough room to get the skeleton out of the studio garage door .. so it’s all good so far , just Slowly progressing ... never fast enough to suit me ... just so many other daily things competing for our Time ...

[atahoekid]

I figured out while building that there's no such thing as enough time and everything takes longer than you want or thought it would Made me crazy!!! Just part of the game. Wish I figured that out at the time. Would have lowered my blood pressure. LOL

[GPW]

Mel, only good thing is a long deadline ... Got till June 1 2013 to finish it completely , ready to go ... really like to have it done much sooner ...

Yours took a while , but look how NICE it came out !!!