|
|
Dec 28, 2016 20:53:45 GMT
|
Hi all Just a little background. I'm semi-retired and play with campers and motor homes to keep me out of mischief plus I use them regularly to get away fishing and to the odd steam rally. My latest project is a Vauxhall Vivaro 2.0ltr diesel. Its an ex Yorkshire Water vehicle which has had a basic camper conversion. So far I have removed the slide out pod / bed as it weighed a tonne,leaked like a sieve and created a lot of wasted space. The pod when removed weighed a good 150 kg. Next job is to remove all the dodgy units and trim so I can ply line and carpet the rear. The sink,hob,fridge and water heater will be re-used plus I will sort out some proper 12v electrics and a 240v hook up. Hopefully finished be the end of January as I fancy a trip up to Scotland in the snow. Cheers - mike
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dec 29, 2016 13:43:46 GMT
|
Started lining some bits this morning. Stripped and cleaned a rear door, removed and cleaned the bottom trim so I could cover it in lining carpet. I'm using the thicker version of carpet as its 4 way stretch and thick enough to provide some insulation and sound proofing. Its a bit of a curse word to stretch into some of the deeper hollows but will go if you are patient. I use a heavy duty ice scream scoop for pushing the carpet into the hollows and it works well. Cheers - mike
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nice. A camper conversion is on my to-do list at some point - bookmarked.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
have had a steady couple of days on the camper much of the old interior has been removed. Have sorted out much of the wiring as lots of bits were twisted together,bare wires under screws for earths etc. Have just made and fitted a lined panel to sit around the sliding door window and secured the water tank and checked its connections. This area can now be cleaned up ready for carpet lining etc. The mains inlet has also been moved slightly and re-wired. Cheers - mike
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Had a steady afternoon and finished the rear of the seat unit,lines it with carpet and moved and re-connected the 240 inlet. Will be starting on making the panels for the roof tomorrow. It should be an interesting day as they are all odd shapes and will need to have a frame work made for the sides. I'm going to incorporate the original lights and roof vent, just to make it extra fun. Cheers - mike
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That's one hell of a rear step!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yep,its a heavy duty one.
It can carry 2 bikes or a small scooter.
and its a tow bar too,
cheers - mike
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A few more jobs done today. I have cut and fitted 4 supports for the upper roof side trims. They are now bonded in but not sure if they will take as its been freezing all day. Made and fitted the frame to support the front of the upper front cupboard and covered it with 9mm ply. This will then be covered with 3mm faced ply and the hole for the door will then be cut. The door will be made from a lightened 9mm ply core covered each side with faced ply to give 15mm thickness which is just right for knock in edging. This panel and door will be finished of the van and fitted as a complete unit. I have also made hard board templates for the side roof panels. Not sure if these will be faced ply or carpet lined yet. Have decided to fit a Heki roof vent to give more light and ventilation. Not sure I will get much done now until Monday. Cheers - mike
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 10, 2017 10:13:39 GMT
|
Had a steady day yesterday. I made the front cupboard wall and door. Had to laminate 9mm ply on both sides for the door. Just got to fit a button catch this morning and it can then be fitted for good. Will hopefully get the roof side panels made and lined today and maybe even fitted depending upon the weather.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 10, 2017 13:47:35 GMT
|
Finished the front cupboard wall/door earlier and is now fitted for good. Had to make a custom keep for the latch,the door is now nice and snug,no rattles. Got to make the lining for the roof sides this afternoon and get them covered with carpet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 10, 2017 17:34:04 GMT
|
Spent the afternoon making and fitting the roof side panels. Have installed the wiring for the light on the passenger side roof panel and also a feed to the front panel area so I can fit a 12v socket to supply the lcd TV. I don't expect to get much done tomorrow as I have paying jobs to do. Off to look at Heki roof vents if I get time tomorrow after noon. Hopefully this is the last big purchase. Cheers - mike
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 15, 2017 11:55:33 GMT
|
Has been a quiet week on the camper front have made ,lined and fitted both roof side panels. Sorted the wiring for the tv aeriel,lights and sockets and fitted the side roof panels for good. Have started making the rear roof cupboard,got the blank for the door and the front of the cupboard made but have not yet worked out the best way to fit it. Will see how it looks as I go. Have got a few jobs in this week but hope to get a clear 2-3 days on the camper. Cheers - mike
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 15, 2017 13:46:41 GMT
|
Hi all just thought you may me interested in how I make the doors. I start with a 9mm ply board, cut it to size with 75mm diameter rounded corners. I then cut two facing panels from 3mm faced ply. One of these is then bonded to the core with contact adhesive.Once this has gone off I use a flush trim bit in a router to trim it to the profile of the door. The next next facing panel is then bonded on and again trimmed flush. The panel edge is the sanded to get rid of any rough bits. Next job is to cut a groove with a 1mm slot cutter in the router taking care to get the groove central. Last job is to fit the knock in edging being careful not to damage the panel when fitting the edging.You only get one chance to fit the edging as when yo pull it out it breaks up the ply and opens up the slot. Use a heat gun on the corners to get the edging to bend nicely. Hope to get the rear cupboard finished tomorrow. cheers - mike
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That's amazing work, do you do this for a living?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
hi there
yes I do all types of stuff,campers,motor homes,sports cars. Always something different.
Got two mazda bongos to do next.
Cheers - mike
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 16, 2017 10:45:14 GMT
|
Had a few mins to spare first thing so fitted the 12v socket and aerial outlet in the front cupboard panel.
I should also get the front panel of the rear cupboard made before lunch.
Its a bit trickier than usual as it need to slope forwards about 5 degrees.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 16, 2017 16:11:11 GMT
|
Made steady progress this afternoon Got all the parts for the rear cupboard finished and bonded some supports to the roof of the van. All being well, the rear cupboard should be finished tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 17, 2017 11:27:12 GMT
|
Hi all I have just about finished the rear cupboard this morning. Have mounted the door off centre on this one as there will be an electrical panel on the drivers side with twin usb sockets,12v socket and a volt meter. I have the rear of the cupboard to blank off later and that's it done. Having a change for the rest of the day. I'm going to line the passenger side wall.It's going to need a few lining panels making and some minor mods to the body on the van. This will just leave the ceiling and the big kitchen unit as the last big jobs plus lots of bits of trim,12v system re-wire and test and the water system/heater to re-fit and test. Hopefully finished late next week and up for sale.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 17, 2017 19:15:01 GMT
|
Finished lining the passenger side this afternoon. Had to flatten part of the inner door pillar and make up some panels for the top and also one or two large cutouts in the side. Covered all the main part with one piece of carpet as it tidier but harder to do. Got a paying job tomorrow so wont get back on it 'till Thursday. The rear top cupboard has to come back out as I need to modify it as the rear of the bottom shelf needs to be chamfered and some more pocket holes adding. Whilst its out I will cut the hole and fit the panel that houses the usb,volt meter and 12v socket.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan 27, 2017 16:54:51 GMT
|
Have had a steady week this as its been too cold for spending all day outside and have had decorating to do. Anyways the top rear cupboard is finished,the volt meter etc is all fitted and wired up. Have built the rear cabinets. The very rear one has the consumer unit in the bottom along with storage for the mains hookup lead. The front one does not have shelves fitted so it can be used as a wardrobe if needed as its a metre tall. The door in all made for this but i'm waiting for some more push catches to arrive. Have pulled the kitchen unit apart and redesigned it. It now has 2 usable shelves and storage for two small gas bottles is needed. I found a few issues with this cabinet, the exhaust from the fridge was not connected so fumes could come into the camper and the water heater tank was not supported. Hope to get a few hours on it on Sunday if my black laminate for the work tops,splash back and cupboard top arrives. Cheers - mike
|
|
|
|
|