mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
|
Post by mobiltec on Mar 13, 2013 21:52:50 GMT -5
Oh my. That is one FINE looking trailer. Really nice, Mobiltec. I wish you had done the Siesta for us. I know we're not going to be happy with it when it's done. I know I'm going to be looking at all the things we did wrong. I had a little pity party last night, but I'm trying to get over it. When we remove a panel, nothing seems to line up right when we're done with the wood - it's all wonky. The window was a real pain - flat window on a curved surface  The flat window on a "curved" surface can be a pain. But that is why most manufacturersleft those window frames loosely bound with big staples so that the whole frame was kinda sorta curved in a partial octogon sorta way. I use aluminum skin scraps that I have lying around and staple them in. Dont want that header too tightly bound to the side pieces and the same with the bottom part of the frame. You only have control of that when you are in the framing stage. Another problem can happen when taking a trailer apart. If you don't have it on blocks, and blocks that won't sink in the mud, before you start taking it apart, it can move around and then things don't go back together the way they should. You can try using a jack and lifting one corner or the other when things don't seem to line up right. Sometimes that really makes a difference. I block up the trailer from the frame before I start taking it apart. That way when I put it back together everything is pretty much in the same place it was before and all the holes line up and everything. Don't be sad. You should have seen my first trailer. Or even my second. Patched up with anything I could get my hands on. "Great Stuff" everywhere. Duct tape and Gorilla tape. Roofing tar. You name it. I made every single mistake in the book. So I feel your pain... |
|
Hamlet
2K Post Member
Posts: 2,241 
|
Post by Hamlet on Mar 13, 2013 22:23:04 GMT -5
We ought to have a thread entitled, "What I SHOULDN'T have done to my Shasta today.
Hamlet could start with... Do NOT attempt to use a reciprocating saw to remove the bolts holding the floor to the chassis. Or... always know exactly how far it is to the nearest ER and how much blood you are likely to lose on the way.
|
|
|
|
Post by kto17 on Mar 13, 2013 23:05:49 GMT -5
Too bad I didn't know this in 2009! I started with the buffing wheel and rouge on Hamlet's wings. What a disaster. Didn't think about using acid to take off the worst of the oxidation. At the end I wound up using 200, then 400, then 800, then 1200 sandpaper. They turned out nice, but still more a matte finish. Didn't get the window frames good enough, though. So this will help. Thanks! Once they have been sanded they are very hard to get shiney smooth again. I have tried and was not satisfied with the results. By the way, you end up getting the metal very hot when you are doing it right. I showed that in my Window Polishing vids. That's one of the reason for heavy gloves. And I have safety glasses on. A full face mask would be safer. When polishing with rouge you don't want to breathe what comes off so wear a good mask. Eye protection too! I quadruple check my wheels for the hubcap measurement. I was exactly an inch off the first two times. Time to order more hubcaps! |
|
vikx
3K Post Member
Posts: 3,556
|
Post by vikx on Mar 13, 2013 23:40:23 GMT -5
I wondered about those window frames.... I've been curving the mid pieces on the band saw. Didn't like the loosey/goosey feel of the originals. Now, I'm learning that maybe that idea is the way to go. Hmph.
|
|
mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
|
Post by mobiltec on Mar 14, 2013 0:44:33 GMT -5
Yep. The part that the window screws into is flat on both sides. Then the header and bottom plate fold back a little. The sides of the trailer are curved and it all finds its own place really nice. Took me a while to figure that one out.
|
|
|
|
Post by paigenmarc on Mar 15, 2013 17:35:42 GMT -5
Well, we finished up the back end of the Siesta today. We got the J Rail back on and the window (with real glass, not plexi) back in. Whew. I hope to goodness it doesn't leak, or you all will see a "For sale - one 1957 Siesta Travel Trailer with a rotten back end" ad in the SOB section  We also FINALLY got the title switched over to our name and got Texas plates - Whoop! The title still says it's a 2010 homemade trailer, but we'll deal with that later. All in all, a productive day. |
|
mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
|
Post by mobiltec on Mar 15, 2013 21:41:11 GMT -5
That's great Paige... And Mark... LOL... I've been working on both the Shasta and the Westerner for the last few days. The Shasta is getting the dinette seat cabinets rebuilt. A water tank is going to go under the Street side one so I didn't build it with a sliding door like they usually have. The other one on the Curb side will have the door. Here's some pics.    |
|
|
|
Post by paigenmarc on Mar 16, 2013 7:06:09 GMT -5
Cool, Mobiltec! That's one thing we didn't have to rebuilt (thank goodness). And don't think I didn't notice your comment above.
"Dammit, Mobiltec. I'm a teacher, not a carpenter!" (Also in the voice of Bones McCoy).
I can pretend I do some of the structural work, but I know, I just hold things "right here" so he can screw them in. LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by 65callie on Mar 16, 2013 9:37:03 GMT -5
Today we are working on the compact - new marker lights, new tail light lenses, rebuilding kitchen cabinet, and - warning for the purists - painting the birch  Name of paint is "Silver Birch"  |
|
|
|
Post by schweetcruisers on Mar 16, 2013 19:39:44 GMT -5
Started building my rock guard. That thing is way more work than I thought!
|
|
|
|
Post by kto17 on Mar 16, 2013 19:48:01 GMT -5
Sell it. Still have the Deluxe! |
|
|
|
Post by neophyte on Mar 16, 2013 22:21:36 GMT -5
I needed a visual, so I measured out the floor space in the basement family room. Set up the new cushions and bedding I made along with a few of the original pieces, the table top and the cabinet that goes above the sink/stove. The blue tape is the outline for the door. We are planning to enlarge the 46" gaucho bed to 54", which will mean the cabinets will have to be restructured. Sadly, the framing has been on hold since he has been on a long term sub job since Jan. Spring break is in a week. Can't wait to start rebuilding the framework and get back to polishing. Attachments:
|
|
mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
|
Post by mobiltec on Mar 16, 2013 22:54:07 GMT -5
Started building my rock guard. That thing is way more work than I thought! After having done about 10 of them it takes Bob and I about half a day to complete one and install it. I think the first one took about 3 days LOL... It's easier with two people and we do have a lot of power tools. An air rivetor really makes things go together fast... They start at about $350 for aluminum rivets. For stainless you need to use the $550 model. He also has a jig set up now so the frame goes together quickly and square. |
|
|
|
Post by schweetcruisers on Mar 16, 2013 23:07:54 GMT -5
Started building my rock guard. That thing is way more work than I thought! After having done about 10 of them it takes Bob and I about half a day to complete one and install it. I think the first one took about 3 days LOL... It's easier with two people and we do have a lot of power tools. An air rivetor really makes things go together fast... They start at about $350 for aluminum rivets. For stainless you need to use the $550 model. He also has a jig set up now so the frame goes together quickly and square. I'll be posting some info on my blog when done but dang that thing, I am into it about 150.00. I was lucky and had a piece of skin left over from my reskin that I used for the front panel, so no fancy raising sun!! Mobiltec you can't judge me! |
|
mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
|
Post by mobiltec on Mar 16, 2013 23:12:37 GMT -5
LOL I don't judge anyone Schweet, I'm a spectator just like you! I think we went to the same school of hard knocks together.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2013 14:04:52 GMT -5
The project du jour was to clean up the boomerang drawer pulls. As many of you know the pulls came from Shasta with a real low quality brass electroplate. It’s almost as if they just sprayed amber shellac right over the hardware when they were spaying the cabinets. Anyway, I was looking for a chrome look and was not willing to pay exorbinate ebay pricing for that look. So in a 2-3 hours window I was able fix the problem. First I used a wheel with plastic composite wire to remove the electroplate. Then I wet sanded with 400 grit paper and 0000 steel wool. To finish them off I just hit them with the polish wheel. Before and after  Wheel that I Used  Ready to install  |
|
Hamlet
2K Post Member
Posts: 2,241
|
Post by Hamlet on Mar 19, 2013 15:34:05 GMT -5
They turned our great!
|
|
|
|
Post by paigenmarc on Mar 21, 2013 13:48:30 GMT -5
It poured rain yesterday and I checked the back end of my trailer (that I've redone twice) and didn't see any leaks. Woo hoo!!!
|
|
mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
|
Post by mobiltec on Mar 21, 2013 14:29:50 GMT -5
It poured rain yesterday and I checked the back end of my trailer (that I've redone twice) and didn't see any leaks. Woo hoo!!! GREAT! |
|
mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
|
Post by mobiltec on Mar 23, 2013 21:31:30 GMT -5
I'm wasting all this good weather on being sick with the flu...  |
|
|
|
Post by ModernMe on Mar 23, 2013 21:37:10 GMT -5
Oh, Mobiltec, sorry to hear that. Everyone here had it too. Hope you get through it quick.
|
|
mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
|
Post by mobiltec on Mar 23, 2013 21:39:38 GMT -5
Oh, Mobiltec, sorry to hear that. Everyone here had it too. Hope you get through it quick. Going on day 5 tomorrow. Had a touch of it a month ago and it went away in 4 days flat. This time it's a little worse for sure. |
|
|
|
Post by paigenmarc on Mar 24, 2013 14:29:00 GMT -5
Oh no. That stinks. I hope you feel better soon.
|
|
mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
|
Post by mobiltec on Mar 24, 2013 21:31:58 GMT -5
Thanks Paige... We'll see what happens tonight.
|
|
|
|
Post by Harriet 1400 on Mar 25, 2013 12:50:56 GMT -5
What have I done to my Shasta today? Not a whole lot. However, our road is being gravelled and I have high hopes to be able to tug her all the way home in a week or two once the road work is done. In the meantime, I did receive and add her permanent (rather than the temporary) license plate.
|
|
|
|
Post by ModernMe on Mar 29, 2013 22:57:31 GMT -5
I introduced my trailers. They met for the first time today. Too bad I can't keep both It was nice to be able to go back and forth comparing things and looking. Sadly, the blue and white in front took on more ceiling rot this winter from a bad leak (translation, vent latch broke and blew open in the wind during an awful rain storm). But finally moving them to the same storage lot will make life easier. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by capnjonny on Mar 30, 2013 0:29:59 GMT -5
I finished spraying and installing the new u shaped maple settee bases on my 65 Compact. 26" deep all three sides. will use the table for a filler to make king size bed. Otherwise one person can sleep cross ways on the setee cushion or 2 can sleep long ways without the inserts.
The cabinet for the Ice box is installed ( trial fit with solid foam all sides up to 4" thick and the door insulated with 3/4" foam) It should keep ice for a few days .
|
|
mobiltec
1K Post Member
Restoring The 57 Shasta
Posts: 1,134
|
Post by mobiltec on Mar 30, 2013 10:12:51 GMT -5
I thought I was getting better the last two days and then last night the flu was back with a vengence. This just will NOT go away.
|
|
|
|
Post by schweetcruisers on Mar 30, 2013 12:37:35 GMT -5
Baby steps, I put the new mirror in! Other than upholstering the foam, and finding some sort of catch for the drawers, the interior is Done! ;D Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by paigenmarc on Mar 30, 2013 12:42:49 GMT -5
Mobiltec - I'm so sorry about the flu. How awful. Marc fell down the stairs this morning and broke his ankle in two places. He will be having surgery, so we won't be doing much of anything on the trailer for a while. That also means we will probably not be going to Pismo as planned. I'll have to be content watching everyone else's progress.
|
|
