The rebuild of a 61 Astrodome into a '61 Airflyte IS DONE!

[LittleVintageTrailer]

You are making really great progress on this. Wish I could say that I was on mine *sigh*. That pole you have is neat. I saw those I think on Amazon. I decided that when I put a couple in the 56 just to make sure the ceiling stayed stable, I grabbed some turn crank awning poles I had and used those LOL! Did the trick (;

[schweetcruisers]

I had some free time this afternoon and decided to knock out the Wardrobe cabinet!

Why yes those are round corners. I really liked that detail in the early Shasta's so I am doing it in my rebuild!

[vikx]

Looks wonderful! How did you round the corners? One piece of wood or curved plywood? I would enjoy a lesson...

[harrison429]

wow, they look awesome! Great job. let us all know how you did that, i'd like to know too.

[schweetcruisers]

I liked the detail so much I had them custom milled out of solid Birch at a local lumber yard. I'll take a picture of the moulding tomorrow when I am back at my shop. It wasn't cheep but I think it will be worth it!

[tylerbes]

Isn't it so nice to put that new wood in it?... sorry purists, its true. Looking awesome brother, keep it up.

[cowcharge]

I'm with Tyler, original's cool but custom's more fun

[schweetcruisers]

Kinda like the old Johnny Cash song, one piece at a time... except its one cabinet at a time! I got the Kitchen base cabinet built today, fixed my mistake on the dinette benches, they're now deeper!



Oh look another round corner!



Ahhh much better



For those who asked, here is the moulding I had custom milled to make the round corners

[cowcharge]

Nice job on the cabinets! And that floor is starting to grow on me

[schweetcruisers]

more progress, got the roof closed in and a few more cabinets enclosed!

[vikx]

This gets better everyday. Thanks for posting the pix!

What will you be using to finish the wood? I have trouble with shellac on the ceiling; it's so drippy.

This trailer is going to be awesome...

[boandsusan]

Wow! Wow! Wow! I could go on and on! Absolutely gorgeous work!

[tylerbes]

Man it looks great! you made many of the same construction decisions that I did, solid wood in the rear and where the wings go, cross beams that go to the outer walls, smart man! I think I see where you are going with notching the beams, last layer of wrapping goes over the beams? I like it.

So I have a question, I see you are going back to be close to the original layout, but are you putting a toilet in the rear corner or do you have some other plan there? Looks like the bed/couch is goiing back where it was along the rear curbside wall?

If you can get the equiment I suggest spraying the inside, that is what I did. Cover the floor and squirt the whole inside. Three coats, light sand between each. Its a S-load of work and you will walk out of the trailer feeling like a giant post-it not, but it leaves a smooth finish and is faster than brushing. WEAR COVERALLS with a hood and and GLASSES! ..... I didnt and I paid for it.

Your cabinet work and the round corners, what can I say... a tip of the cap to you my firend/

Looks killer.

T

[LittleVintageTrailer]

I so wish I lived next door to you so I could come over and watch you work! No kidding, I'd probably learn a ton. You are making this look SO easy and I'm just staring at our 56 that is half torn up thinking (well, actually praying) "please let this restore project go smoothly".

[schweetcruisers]

Bo and Susan,Thanks again for all the kind words!

Tyler, you are correct sir, about the the rabbited roof bows, I am going to make the last layer of ply wrap over and lock the whole thing together. The old toilet is now going to be a closet. both my wife and I fly fish so I figure it going to be a great rod and gear storage! My layout is pretty similar to the original, I took all the design details I liked from all the trailers and combining them, my goal is for a purest to look at it and think did Shasta build this!

Kel, I Build cabinets for a living but this thing is throwing me for many loops, first of all its hard to build stuff for weight! I have built full kitchens in less time then building these cabinets! Next I have learned I hate gimp, if I ever do another I will avoid gimp at all cost! I have checked out the runabout rebuild, if you ever have any questions let me know, I will try to help!

Vikx, I'll be needing you soon, coming to the electrical!?!

Here's today progress, I got the upper kitchen cabs built and the side wall of the rear closet.

[vikx]

PM me for my email. Really enjoy helping! V

[tylerbes]

I avoided the Gimp by building the cabinets in first, left them a hair long and belt sanded them to size to match the camper curve.... the roof then nails tight on it with no seam. I think its really the only way to get a nice tight seam.

It may have been a PIA but I think that it does add a nice touch of detail to your cabinets.

Building for weight is strange I agree... I Still feel like I could/should have done more to keep the wieght down.

Love the work, and I can tell you are a cabinet maker. These are going up WAY too fast for a first time cabinet builder

[schweetcruisers]

Well the major outfitting is complete, I still have to built all the doors and drawers but the framework is done!





I had to lose the nightstand as it longer fit with the bed pulled out! I may or may not still have a trick up my sleeve for a nightstand!

[schweetcruisers]

I told you I had a trick up my sleeve for the nightstand, I incorporated into the wall of the closet, I am going to put a outlet into the base to charge phones!



Other than rebuilding the nightstand I took care of a lot of punch list items today like nailing the ceiling birch to the roof bows with twist nails, and attaching the rear bed to the wall! Lots of sanding tomorrow!

[universalexports]

WOW, thanks for the inspiration!!!

my built is not going to be as extreme, but I got a lot of work ahead of me, I have mine almost completely gutted right now. and going back with a new floorplan and cabinets etc.

I love the radiused corners, I will definitely try to find a place that can mill the wood for me like that.

[vikx]

Beautiful work! I'm a belt sander fan myself...

[schweetcruisers]

May 27, 2012 1:19:26 GMT -5 vikx said:

Beautiful work! I'm a belt sander fan myself...

Next time...NO GIMP FOR ME!

[61 Shasta]

I must say sweetcruisers, you are doing an awesome job. I didn't have to do nearly the amount of face framing that you did and I can certainly appreciate the craftsmanship that went into your project. I'll be interested to see the finished product. Ins dentally, I didn't use any gimp or welting on mine. I did have to cut some birch strips to make some of the factory edges on the birch look finished but that was it.

[schweetcruisers]

Thanks chuck, I could have done it without the gimp, I just wanted that detail, thought it would add to the vintage charm! After gimping everything, I think it may be quicker to just sand to fit! Did you notce the wavy cabinet? Thanks again for the template!

[61 Shasta]

Yep, I did and it looks great. I just sent out 2 more tracings for folks on this forum.

[vikx]

I'm enjoying ever post here! Really great info.

OK, so today I was working with gimp. The upholstery shop sold me some skinnier welting; it is very difficult to attach with a 3/8 tail. How are you all attaching the gimp? I'm using nails and a hand stapler. Annoying. Looks good when done, but d*mn...

[cowcharge]

Every time I work on mine I end up a gimp.

[schweetcruisers]

I never tried nails, although I did use a Arrow hand stapler with 1/4" (legs) to attach the stuff on the walls. What I am now using is a fine wire upholstry stapler, it uses a 23ga 3/16" crown, 5/8" leg staple. I have to hold it at slight angle to avoid shooting through the gimp but it's much quicker and I don't have to go back and set the staples like I did with the arrow.

[cowcharge]

Every time I look at that cabinet work I'm ashamed to post pics of my trailer, lol.

[vikx]

Thanks! I'll check into the upholstery stapler...