Does It Look Like A Camper Yet?

Day by day, progress is being made. I still have quite a list of tasks to complete, but it is nice to pause for a moment. As of today, I have all of the electrical circuits connected at the fuse panel and just a couple more plugs or lights to attach. I need to finish a couple walls sections and storage bins so there is a place to attach those things to.

Also interesting to note that as of May 20th, my furnace is still running. Which means it has not gotten predictably warm outside yet. Maybe next week…? That would be nice.

w00t!

I’ve been waiting for this install all Winter. I had the upper cabinet frame ready, the door was built, painted and ready weeks ago. Yesterday I installed the IKEA Utrusta hinges (door lifters), which are very slick. They open smoothly and hold the door panel up by the ceiling when open. They also close softly with no latches required. I have a little bit of priming and painting inside the cabinet to complete, but this feels good to be done with.

I have a similar (but wider) cabinet to install above the bed at the foot end, so hopefully that will go faster and smoother, based on getting the first one done. Less fuss on the 2nd one, for sure.

Almost Another Completed Cabinet

As I inch towards completing another cabinet, I am reminded of the in-the-van, out-of-the-van pattern that develops when building one-off furniture. With each change or step, I need to recheck fitment in the van. I also need to have attachment points designed that allow for this, as well as methods to fully secure the furniture once complete.

The sink cabinet is a bit heavier than the previous cabinet. It will hold water jugs and also include a folding counter top extension and a step for climbing into the bunk. All this requires sturdier panels, which will adds some weight.

I should be able to do one last sanding in the morning and begin priming and painting. Thankfully the weather has improved enough that I can do the in the garage.

Working Outside

Sometimes things line up. A day off + nice weather + new supply of lumber means I will get something done. I moved my working platform outside, since the goal today was to cut all the plywood down to small pieces needed for the next cabinet project.

While it looked nice out, it wasn’t quite as warm as I had hoped. But I added a layer and closed the garage door so all the sawdust wouldn’t blow back inside. Swirling winds had the dust going every direction.

All of the sheets and framing material ready to go. The sink arrived today as well!

The top and bottom cabinet carcass frames are done, while the cabinets side panels are glued and being pressed together. I used two 1/2” sheets for each side so the cabinet will be sturdy. I learned from previous cabinets that the 1/2” plywood is too thin by itself to attach materials to, hold screws well and resist warping.

After a day of cutting with the new track saw, I am completely impressed by how easy it is to make very straight cuts now. I think I watched a dozen review videos of all of the different saws. Like most tool choices, you can decide to spend infinite dollars or be realistic and choose a budget based on how often and for how long a tool will be used. I bought the WEN corded track saw which I think is pretty near the least expensive choice. I added a 48 tooth blade. The saw has worked perfectly. My only regret is not buying it last year. Live and learn.

Time To Make Sawdust

Since I have more cabinets to build, I decided to get a track saw so that my panels and doors have a chance to be closer to perfect. Today I cut door panels for the upper cabinets. I wish I would have purchased this earlier. I don’t have a table saw (nor do I want one), so breaking down plywood was much harder to do accurately.

I added a sacrificial 4’ x 8’ foam sheet, so now I have plenty of work surface to break down a whole sheet of plywood quicker, safer and more accurately.

And some nice weather came along, too. I feel like the freezing weather may finally be in the rearview mirror.

March Madness

After a brief 3 month hiatus, I’m back at it. And with a quick (and warm) afternoon, I installed the last two drawer slides and finalized the faces. All of the drawers are the same push to open style and they do a good job of staying closed while driving. The only handle on the face is for a tip out style storage area. The big open area will be used for camping supply store, either for coolers or possibly even a chuck box. Also, the counter top is still just a temporary hunk of wood. Once I get the upper cabinet installed, I’ll swap in the final birch counter.

What next? I still have a long list of tasks, but I started working on the interior siding above the bed right away. I will be using the same nickel gap ship lap material on each side. At the foot end of the bed, there will be an upper cabinet (driver side) and on the opposite side will be more of a back rest / higher headroom area, plus more electrical fixtures for lights, fans, and changing a phone.

The Sequence is All Wrong

I’ve been building stuff in my van all Summer and into the Fall. Lots of cutting of wood and metal materials. Over the weekend I bought a German-made pencil sharpener. Probably should have done that in May…