Vlog 15: starting to build the furniture for my DIY campervan
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- Using lengths of "planed straight edge" wood and a load of screws and wood glue, I began to assemble loads of boxes would would form the units for my van. To begin with I made the bed and later went on to the kitchen. To my great surprise, I used pine cladding.
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Tools used (Amazon affiliate links):
DeWalt jigsaw: geni.us/Van_De...
DeWalt drill: geni.us/Van_De...
DeWalt mitre saw: geni.us/Van_De...
The portable toilet is this one: geni.us/Van_To...
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You've got the hang of this carpentry malarkey! Well done that man 🖒
Just a suggestion from a RV owner ! I highly suggest getting 1 more water bottle. Best if it can be in a different color so you can just glance and know difference from water and grey water!! You will want 2 jugs of water cause nothing worse than being tucked in for night and not having water for your cup of tea/ coffee in the morning!! Or at night Always run out of water either when you do not wanna go out or in middle of cleaning up
I like the different colours idea! As it happens, I now have three containers because I bought a smaller one for grey water, to deal with the space being smaller than I originally intended :-)
It's really looking good! I like how you made an L out of the bed 👍
I'm doing "an L of a job" ;-)
You have the best narration voice! I love it. I love watching this as well wonderful job.
Thank you 😊
It’s really taking shape! You’re working so hard. It’s going to be so cosy!
I really enjoy your vlogs and comedy haha
So now the Sauna is constructed, presumably we await the arrival of Blonde buxom Swedish Chicks. Scantily clad, natch.
Dang it, you're right, I should definitely have made it *more* sauna-like!
It is starting to look like a camper van. Hope to see the next instalment soon.
Very clever man very mathodical . Gonna start calling you method man keep up the good work love your vids
Hi. Your doing good works.
Looking ace. 👍👍👍👍
Best wishes and still waters too
😊☀️👍🚐☕️
Do not come knocking
if the boat is rocking. 😃🛥
I hope you and all
have a wonderful summer
of fun times
😊☀️😊☀️😊☀️😊🚐🛥🙏😊
you have accrued a stellar array of power tools , Bob IS your uncle ! PS , a man can't have too much scrap lumber
I am starting to wonder how much of the budget to make the van has gone up with the acquisition of so many, yet entirely useful power tools. Cheers!
You’re really progressing now! I like the suggestion to paint the wood grey that would look good. I don’t think it will be long before it’s done. Thanks for sharing this journey.
Looking very tidy indeed,really enjoying the vlog,looking forward to the next installment.....
Wow! That’s really coming on now! 😊
Looking much better than last time! Bit late now, but did you think of using what's called a Lattenrost in Germany? Frame with springy slats to support the mattress. Some will allow raising feet and/or feet. Much more comfortable than rigid slats.
This was suggested to me but a fraction too late so I'll have to keep it in mind for my next one ;-)
Another great build video 🖒
It’s looking really good! You must be so chuffed that all your hard work is paying off.
1:40 Love the measuring tip!
It's looking great !!! Keep up the good work !!!
Love how you narrate your vlogs. You make it very easy to understand what you are doing.
I'm most impressed at the progress you've made while ill. Just boiling water seems too much when I am sick.
Brilliant stuff, I'm loving this series, did you know there's a chicken perched on your workbench at 3.20 :)
Normally I don't spend time re-watching my videos when people quote timecodes at me - life's too short - but in this instance I think I have to make an exception!!
Your build is very clever and innovative. I salute you.
Thank you very much!
Don't keep skeletons in your van for too long David, you're gonna have a problem if the police finds out. Another great video by the way!
There appears to be no end to your talents.... another good watch. Ta!
Simply marvelous!
Coming together nicely 👍
Looking good - and not like a sauna!
in a months time you'll probably be done! 😊 doing very well!
i would varnish the slats on the sides with a light varnish, something to keep it bright as i think the tong n groove on the side looks nice as is 😊
Another great video David 👍 The van is looking good so far 😊
Great progress, good to watch.
Congratulations on the progress! With all the new machines you have been buying for this project I guess you´ll have to get hold of a 20 feet container too as storage as space is limited in the van aswell as in the boat.
I like the sink /stove combo . Good vid
Looking good. I have absolutely no head for conceptualizing. I got confused when the tongue and groove went up closing off all the storage even with the half hinge thing mentioned. Guess I'll just have to wait and see. This is why I don't build things and stick to watercolors and gardening. Lol
I'm so impressed! Love seeing your boat in the background
Nice motor home it’s coming together nicely
Well done, you are learning new skills and amassing an enviable collection of tools. You will have bags of confidence and have the benefit of hindsight and experience by the time you have finished this fit out -?in fact your next van fit out will be ‘dang spiffy’👍😂
*next* build??!!
David..we organised our cooking & washing unit to unclamp, slide,drop to outside rear. Safer to cook with space for socialising with seating area, also washing & drying with overhang. Really does get claustrophobic very quickly with too much time spent in van & untidy unit.
I originally considered such a system however the gas regulations insist on rigid copper pipe other than from bottle to regulator. Hence, since the gas locker must have a sealed vent to the outside, the locker must remain in place and thus, due to the piping, so must the kitchen.
I imagine you're going to add all the leather, marble and designer lamps in a bit later...
Hi Dave, only watched half of the vlog and didn't get back to it until now. Have to say love the hat and impressed with the portable saw ( battery one.). Cheers.
Everything is coming together very nicely.
Nice video. Thanks :)
Wow - that vlog just kind of ended, didn't it! It looks as though the van is coming along nicely! It's nice to see it finally coming together! It's easier to picture what you're planning, when there's stuff in there. Cheers!
It was originally 20 mins long so I split it into two videos :-)
This is all very impressive
Looking good, that cooker and sink unit really looks the part even sitting on your framework. 🚌
Your very good in explaining Diamond Geezer.. Agree .. with you .. about Sauna. Look...
Well I'm going to put my few penny's worth in, Im enjoying your van build, but from a carpenters point of view that bed looks weak and prone to racking. You really should have some diagonal cross members in there to prevent the racking, I don't think your cladding and slats will be enough, not over time. I would have used slightly bigger timber for the structure as well. Just my opinion., but I do know what I'm talking about, they tell me.
What is "racking"? I pondered very much whether I should have used thicker timber and am prepared for it all to go a bit Pete Tong. Bear in mind you haven't seen the finished item yet, there are some additional struts and cladding on it that won't be seen for another couple of vlogs (if indeed I remember to show them at all)
"Racking" think Guy Fawkes. Althouh this will be push not pul to stress the frame. without bracing, the locvely rectangles tend to deform into parallelograms. diagonal braces resist that racking moment.
Racking is where the structure will try to fall over, hard to explain, diaganal struts will prevent this, and prevent any movement in that direction. As you say, ive not seen the finished peice yet, and you may have resolved it. Look forward to seeing it.
Vandemonium Imagine a picture frame grab both opposite corners and apply opposing forces the frame will ‘rack’ from square or rectangular to sort of rhombus shaped. The tounge and groove at the front will help resist the racking forces but only at the front and then only if screwed.
Thanks, everyone. Bear in mind the bed frame is at 90 degrees to the first box I made, and ditto for the box that goes at the back (that admittedly, you haven't been shown yet!). Thus any racking movement is prevented by the position of those end boxes. Or should be...
Get yourself a circular saw guide rail. It’ll make a big difference when cutting longer cuts. They’ll be perfect.
Thanks. Too late though, all done now!
Can’t wait for the rest of the vids :-)
Nice progress.
I believe your hat may be a secret weapon, like Oddjob's in the Bond movies.
I wish!
Great video! It’s all coming along rather nicely isn’t it :-)
Have you reached that point yet, where you just wish it was all finished?
Yes, definitely!!
Vandemonium be reassured you are not alone. I’m the same, usually about 60% into the build I start thinking “why oh why did I start this project” and really have to push through the nagging lack of enthusiasm to get it finished. When it’s finished however, the grin you can’t shift for a week makes up for it all :)
I guess it might be premature to suggest that you could get it ready for Crick, Saturday, but wooden (pine joke) that be nice. The fit out looks very smart. Maybe next you'll be redoing the fit out on the boat?
I like the boat as it is!
Looking good, looking good. Everybody wants or say do this or that. Well i would say to that, come help me built it then.
I say do what or color it your way. Your the one who has to live in the thing... lol... I can picturing me if I was to build a bed, of it falling in the middle of the night & I would be saying some not so nice words.. lol... I come from a long line of builders in the family so I'm sure they wood throw there 2 cents in on it. I put a pun in that line.. hehehe....
Well your doing a fine job sir. I'm enjoying these video & taking notes just incase. I do like your kitchen setup.
Thanks for sharing your videos,
Chris
Thanks Chris
Looking good there bro.
I've got the same sink/hob combo in my van. Handy that you don't need 12v to light the burners.
I misunderstood this originally and laid a cable for 12v thinking it needed it. That means I now have a spare 12V line, which I may use for a propane alarm under the hob.
I made the same mistake. Now using cable for kitchen light. : )
you could add a light inside the cabinet for when you need to look under at water levels and for kit that you may have in there, as well as a usb outlet for charging or running such items.
I am following this vlog as well as the other channel from afar - you have a great way of explaining it all and i feel like i could give it a go myself but know i never will... still, i am looking forward to it being finished and am now wondering what the next project is - you seem to be able to turn your hand to anything... well done, you have a lot more patience than me... from what i have seen and the frustrations you have overcome, if it were me I would have smashed it all up by now...
After this I shall be having a nice lie down!
yes, yes... with a gin and tonic with ice, large... then there will be something else... another project.... I just know it will happen... :)
Looking ok. Having done this sort of build in a caravan I would think about beefing up the back frame, near the van wall, to better take the weight of the bed, and you, looks a bit too fragile to me. It’s only a few bits of wood more.
It's had a bit more since that video. Stay tuned...
For what it’s worth, I find ear plugs are much more compatible with using at the same time as hats, glasses and goggles. Can’t remember if you even used ear muffs in this video, I’ve watched from episode 1 in the last 24 hours :p
Good work matey... Keep going my beauty
Great job David. Enjoying watching your build. Can't wait to see it finished. Where will you be going on your first trip?
Don't know yet!
Looking good ! I was thinking drawers under the bed, but you're only planning weekend trips for the van, so a hinge on one side of the bed with baskets under it should be perfect. I'm guessing the propane bottle will be mounted on the back door so that any gas smells will be outside. How about getting new batteries for the boat and putting the old ones in the van? But only if the old batteries are sealed you don't want them out-gassing if they're lead-acid inside with you. Again looking good, looking for the final built on the van. " At least any tour will be short :-) "
Propane will be at the back in a sealed gas-safe metal locker with drop vent. The boat batteries are knackered so it'll be a single new one for the van - AGM and maybe 200Ah ish so as to run a fridge.
I knew you were Pining for something!
A rather neat piece of work, congrats. This starts looking like a camper van more and more. Pine makers around the world face lower turnover now that your woodworking skills have improved so much.
The tongue-and-groove boards are used so much for a reason: They are easier to adapt to the spaces avalable and are less fragile than MDF or similar, I like it.
Painting them grey: Careful. You already have two different gray colors in the van (Carpet and floor). More of it might lead to depression. Jokes aside: It would be rather easy to mix up a gray that is just the wrong tone. Some off-white might do the trick and avoid that dreaded sauna look. You`ll have the feeling anyways when you have your first French summer.
Maybe you could stock up on a stone to water and some birch twigs?
13 Liters of water are plenty for a weekend. During winter me and my wife often do not bother to refill the main water tank of our RV and use a 12 Liter bottle.
You might want to think about a smaller 5 Liter one just for drinking water and cooking as these bottles are easier to keep clean. (Or cheaper to ditch.)
I've already painted them (as you'll see in future) but the so-called "pebble grey" paint has come out blue so it's an interesting interior!!
Looking good :)
Well done, looks like you like Dewalt tools, good choice.
Do you have plans for the empty space under the bed? Seems like a good area to put in perhaps some kind of drawer system to maximize storage. Or perhaps some access panels.
Yes, there's a plan. Wait and see :-)
Pine cladding EH? ... Yep I thought that was a good idea in my living room in the 70's .....Fixed it all in place, looked at it, proudly showed family and friends my masterpiece .... And THEN!! .... Shock-Horror ..... The pine started shrinking, leaving dirty-great gaps between each slat ;-)
(Hoping yours doesn't develop the same demise young Dave :-)
Living 'on the cut' I'm sure you're using green/biodegradable soaps so I imagine your grey water tank can be emptied in any bushy area so the smaller tank should be no problem. Besides, grey water is always less than fresh as there's system losses (i.e.water sopped up on towels as you dry dishes).
My wife sleeps in a funny position, that L-shaped bed would be perfect; And maybe I'd avoid a few kicks in the kidneys.
Quite like the sink/hobs unit.Once it's all fitted in it'll spiffy. Have you thought about using fiberglass anywhere?
I've no experience with fibreglass but maybe for my next build ;-)
Just my opinion, but I’m not keen on the tongue & groove. I’d have gone with ply/MDF and covered it with carpet I think... All in all, looking good though 👍🏻😀
I was originally going to use plain ply but due to everything being a bit wonky, thought cutting a single suitable sheet would be a pain, hence going with individual boards :-)
...finally, the HAT
Love the Vlogs, keep up the good work. On this one, and the last vlog you had a portable loo. I am looking for a good loo, as mine is rubbish. That one loogs a good quality one. Any chance you can give me a link to where you got yours and how do you rate it? Cheers and many thanks in advance :)
Hi. I haven't actually used that loo yet so can't really rate it. It seems a little flimsy when you sit on it but I haven't sat on any other standalone ones (my boat one is fixed in place) so maybe they're all like that. I bought it because it's got a relatively large waste tank (20 litres ish as I recall) yet is quite low profile. A lot of the others had much smaller (10l ish) tanks. I got it from Clas Ohlson but I would strongly recommend a Google search for the best price because the prices were all over the place when I looked (Clas Ohlson had by far the best price at the time). It's a Dometic 976 by the way.
Thanks for the reply, I will look it up. Got to be better than the one i have, as it leaked. not a good thing. cheers :)
Clever title. Tip: you can ALWAYS find vegetarian sausages at reduced price. ☺️
I would have suggested putting cabinet doors on the sides to use all that as storage space. except where the loo goes.
It is usable as storage since the lid lifts.
@@Vandemonium I like your ideal much better.
plus you might have had the same problem as the water opening the doors. stuff shifting.
Thank you that link about the toilet was very informative are you going to be doing the review on it later on
Glad it helped. I doubt I'll do a review on it though.
@@Vandemonium From where I am sitting, the loo doesn't look like there is enough room for it to slide out?
👍 thanks again !
I just love your hat, you look like a Mister Universe contestant :D
Not something I’ve ever been called before 🤣
@@Vandemonium I'm very original!!!
Is that a slide-out-bed?
Looks very narrow by now...
But nice work so far, too bad you are so much affected tothe weather!
Thx for the vid!
;-)
It's wide enough for me to snooze on but yes, it also extends outwards if I want more space. I do a full demo in an upcoming vlog.
How about finishing them with a greyish wash finish to match the lino.
Yes, that was the idea. As it turns out (you'll see later), the grey paint came out blue!!
That's looking rather nice, great job sir. Question...is that large black metal looking box for the propane tank? That looks rather nice looking. I take it has a drain hole in the bottom that still needs to be drilled out on the van for if or when a tank decided to vent out?
It is for the tank and whilst it does not presently have a drop vent in it, it will do by the end!
Cor, isn't it amazing what you can find on the internet :) I second (third, fourth, etc) the grey paint idea, would you go for a wash or solid colour?
Solid (as I think you've already seen on Twitter?)
Vandemonium I just looked at Twitter... Nul points for my observation skills. Sorry
And there I was thinking you were hanging on my every word.
Vandemonium sorry to disappoint
Are you though? :-(
each box should be easier than the one before.
You make this work sound so interesting I may give up trying to prove it isn't.
You possibly could have added some doors to the sides of your bed for storage access
Not really needed since the top hinges plus there's very little room between the units either to open a door or to crouch down to get to things. Hence my preference for top access.
But the question we all want to know the answer to is....
Will it float ?
It's very difficult to cut a straight line, at least to "David's standards" with a jig saw. Even a circular saw can be a challenge. For YOUR standards, only a "table saw" would do, I'm afraid. You set high standards for yourself, and there's nothing wrong with that. Steady on!
I knew I should have bought a table saw as well ;-)
believe me.. after about 1000 cuts you get the hang of it. I used to fix guide boards and now I've noticed I get the best results by winging it manually.
Huh. So when you need the toilet, you’re going to lift up a part of the bed or couch underneath you, then lift the portaloo up and over, and then use it? I’d have thought you’d want to just slide it out. Seems like it would make for interesting midnight expeditions - and interesting and toilets really shouldn’t be in the same sentence.
It's only there for emergencies, not regular use
You may well be on your first w/e away by the time you read this but it may be prudent to incorporate some ventilation from the bed base through the seat/bed mattress just like on boats if inadequate ventilation is not provided then the seat / bed mattress could begin to rot.
Just a thought what is the access to all this storage space?
Wait and see...
Have you seen the sleep system designed by notelusa.com? There's a vid on TH-cam as well. It's made for trucks and vans.
I've not but I'll take a look. Cheers
Did you move the toilet again? Thought it was going at the foot of the bed?
It's only moving around while I build things!
wew! thank god lol
for someone who is ONLY just able to boil water for his cuppa, i'm SURPRISED you bothered with a stove, never mind a 2-burner one :-))
does that mean you're going to learn how to make a 'burger?
Goodness no. I will need one ring to boil a kettle for tea, the other for my baked beans.
@@Vandemonium lol.
Are you building this while at a public park?
On the towpath next to my narrowboat.
Looking good! Of course those slats will do the job perfectly well, but I'm interested to know why you didn't choose the easier (to me, anyway!) route of using 3/4" plywood for the tops?
Only because I've never seen plywood slats being used on other van builds!
What I meant was avoiding the use of slats altogether, and using the ply as a one piece top (one piece aside from any hinged storage access). Anyway, it all does the same job in the end!
Ah but it needs to extend sideways to make a wider bed so a single sheet wouldn't work.
I get it now. Carry on!
I've heard of wood being stained with soaked tea bags.
You can use coffee and a lot of other thing for staining, my wife makes junk journals and has been inventive in staining paper
Odd question, how tall is the bed/bench with and without the cushions? Secondary odd question, is it comfortable enough to sit at at that height or would you think it better taller/shorter?
I don't recall the height offhand but it's comfortable to sit at
@@Vandemonium Many thanks. In my head i have a rather (radical) idea for a garden seat that lifts up to expose storage like your bed design so have been re-watching the van build for inspiration!
Another great video! There is jig that cabinet makers use called a Kreg pocket jig. amzn.to/2sbO2Yq This advice of course comes after you completed building the frames so in a sense it is in vain. It lets you put the screws in at an angle which is supposed to be stronger. But since you're covering everything with slotted wood I don't think strength is an issue. Did you happen to weigh the van before you started? Just curious. I'd go with light colors inside it will help reflect light around and keep it from being a dark cave on wheels. You might want to run extra wires around in case you want to add more lights. You could also add an antenna cable for tv before you button things up. Great progress.
Thanks. I'm not a big fan of pocket holes (thought I have no rational reason why). It has been painted light as you'll see. There won't be a TV aerial or TV; it's a small van and the idea will be to get away from screens and enjoy the countryside :-)
Coming together nicely!, what size is the back of the van? Cheers!
Approx 1.6m x 2.6m
Hi David, great videos, can i ask ,did you just secure the bed and cabinets by screwing straight into the ply lining through the lino floor and through the carpet on the walls or had you measured up wooden batterns below the ply lining and then screwed into the batterns not just the ply lining , thanks.
Hmm, hard to remember now but I think I screwed into the battens though I may also have added extra screws just into the ply as well.
@@Vandemonium Thanks David, have decided to give it a go, its all your fault , scary but exciting, 😁
Have fun!
What type of Porta-Potty did you choose for the van and how much did it cost and what are its features.
Hi. Please see the link for the toilet in the video description, cheers
Daft question
After insulation and carpeting, fitting the floor etc
How are you fixing the furniture
It’s all screwed down through the lino/wood floor
As you have head of the bed at front of van, might it have been more practical at passenger side as you could adjust front seat to suit..? Lovin the Vlogs.. Liked and subscribed...👏👏☘😊🚐
Welcome along
I don't quite see how you are going to get access to your portaloo. But maybe it hasn't reached it's final destination yet?
It's not likely to be used "in situ", it's really just stored under there and would be brought out for use.
looking good sir! how much do you think you have you spent so far?
Couldn't say because I've bought bits that haven't been used yet so a "cost to this point" would be hard to work out.