Electrical done!

I finally finished the interior electrical.  I found period correct looking lights and I could not be more pleased.  I still have to repair and install the exterior lights.

Small stuff

This week I shopped at a local RV scrapper and found some great aluminum molding for the wheel wells.  I only paid $2 for a lengh that will do both wells.  I installed those after alot of mallet work and they look great.  I purchased and installed the vintage looking light fixtures over the table and above the counter space.  I have the original fixtures that I may paint and install at a later date.  The seats are being refurbished and should be done shortly.

The next step is to finish up the trim work. After that I'm going to work on getting the electrical work completed. Currently, the seats are being recovered. I have to start looking for a 50's style laminate for the table.

Being that this unit is being designed for a home office. I will not be adding a sink or stove. I will be wiring for a small electric fridge that will fit in where the old ice box was originally. Besides, even when I'm camping I find I normally do all my cooking on a camp stove and I never even use my oven at home. Also, I generally do the cleanup in a water basin outside as well. I would rather have the interior space for gear etc...

I've also left out the original gas lights and all gas lines. I don't trust them and I have no use for them with this application. Gas lines, the sink and icebox could be added by someone down the line with very little problem.

I'm happy with it. A lesson I've learned during the door process was to take a few extra breaks and evaluate what your next step is before making a cut or decision. The days I rebuilt the door it was around 100 degrees outside and I should have taken more water (diet pepsi) breaks. It would have saved time and satisfaction.

Sooo many tools to take care of. I spent just as much time getting my tools out and putting them away as getting any progress made on the day's project. I added 1" styrofoam for insulation in the door. The original did not have any insulation.

I labeled and kept every piece throughout the entire process.

The Door was not in great shape. It requires a complete rebuild. It is getting harder to commit so much time to something that will be completely covered up and never really appreciated. I could do a patch and fill with glues and hardeners but I'm not going give in so far into the game.

Another shot of the interior in progress. I decided to use a complimenting trim to accent the trailers canned ham shape. I'm very happy with the results.

Here is a good shot of the front. I really love the windows in this model.

All new on the inside. This is the shot of the closet and rear left where the bed bench and bunk bed was originally. I'm not going to put the bed bench back in. I can always do that later if I wish. This is going to be a home office for now and there will be a table and files in this space.

I'm in the air about putting the brackets and trim in for the original canvas bunk back in yet as well.

This is a picture of the front inside above what will be the table and bench seats.

Starting work on the Sanga again

New Posts and picks soon!

The skin is finally back on!

I really really wanted to keep the original skin. I love the vintage, shabby look. I would not at all like new shiny panels. This task took the longest and was by far the most difficult so far. I'm convinced the original trailer was not perfectly squared up. It is now, believe me I've checked it 20 times. I left the skin laying and did not change the edge crimp at all, yet the top and front and back panels would not line up at the end. I ended up having to flatten out the panels and recrimp the edges. It was like rolling up a nylon sleeping bag. You start at one side and by the time you are near the end it is all wacked out.

View through front window

Here is the view through the front window. I have a ton to do still but it is nice to have the windows routed out. I waited to route the windows until the skin was back on; just in case the windows and door did not line up.

Lots of work ahead

More than I expected but no biggie. I kept all the peices and layed them out to make as exact copies as possible so I would have no surprises when I go to put the windows and siding on.

floor board repair

Several spots near the back and the entry needed the floor to be replaced. I used the same materials 2x2 pine. It lasted 55+ years so it will give the grandkids something to do. I should leave a note under the floor like a time capsule.

Here it shows what a huge mess I'm making. I'm picking up more than repairing. Everthing just keeps getting layers and layers deeper. Everyday this last week has been over 100 degrees.

I decided to make the repairs to the frame without removing the walls completely. It was easy enough to remove any piece I needed to. I added several more frame pieces for the paneling to adhere to later.

This video shows this weeks progress

Like all worthy projects, this one just keeps getting layers and layers deeper. The things I learned this week that I should pass on to those of you taking on a project like this:

Buy a small neumatic cutter (grinder) - It will save you hours trying to fight screws that are full of paint or rusted over. Cut right down the middle of the head of the screws and use a fat flat screwdriver to back them out.

Figure how much time each section of your project will take and write it down. Now throw it out, it is useless. So many things will unexpectedly show up that need doing. You will have to decide what level of repair you want to achieve and it always seems to end up " Well you've gone this far, why not do it right". Which translates into - trips to the hardware store, more planning and usually several new projects.

Next, the top step of the ladder is "not a step" - believe it.

Save all the material you are removing and label it. That will help you when you are fabricating the new pieces. I don't know how many times I have looked at a piece of wood and wondered where that came from.

Mark all the pieces that fit together. For example: draw an x that covers all the sections of a multiple junction before you separate them so you will know how they go back together later.

Use a lawn chair. This is critical. You must sit and think through the steps ahead of time. You don't want to make things harder than they have to be.

Get current on your tetanus shots.

The work begins

I'm in the process of removing all the dry rot and new additions. This is going to be a complete overhaul. I've removed the paneling from the areas it was damaged and buckling. Some of the framing will need to be replaced. I'm trying to determine wether to remove all the painted over paneling and replace with birch. I'm thinking not. Just because I'm not trying to restore this trailer to original and that would add substantial expense and time.

I don't expect to make my mind up on this issue until the structural rebuild is completed.