I've often wondered why no one ever sections off the storage under their beds to keep it more organized! You're the first one I've seen do that and that is why your van is so neat and clean looking! I think the secret to camping in a van is to keep it neat as best you can. While I may be the type to run around with a broom and car vac, I know most aren't, however, there's nothing like keeping things well organized. It makes everything seem so much more spacious and also helps in finding things more easily! Great job!
I am impressed, and I do not get impressed easily. You are very talented. The way you explain things are pretty down to earth and simple. Where in the world are you located?
Solid Wood Worx You should watch Dylan Magaster's video "Swiss Engineer designs ultra functional van w/ indoor shower". The engineer makes his cabinets and drawers lighter by reducing the weight of each item with a CNC machine. It's an ingenious idea.
Nice work! This inspired me to build something for my Mercedes Marco Polo, which is a prebuilt... but I will take out the backseats and hit it up with a wooden box in the back, so I will get plenty of space and an extra bed... I just can say it again.... Great Work! =)
U do some awesome work. Just came by your channel thru my feed and Im super stoked I did. We are looking to do our own lil van conversion. Nothing as nice as u do but you but you gave some freaking awesome ideas. I hope u dont mi nd but Campervan Kevinis doin a conversion on his new Transit I'm goin ro suggest him to at least look in to what u are doin over here. I think your work is great. Glad to see a young man keepin up with the trades of working with your hands. Much 💘 & God Bless. ✌💖🌺
OMG I just moved from there to Texas. What street are you on. I now have a Thor Chateau so don't need any work except for shelves in a food closet. Love, love, love the way you set up the electronics. Next time I'm in California will drop in.
I live in Norcal...just bought a Red Nissan Nv200 Cargo Van and was very interested in driving down to Socal and meeting with you about building a platform for my mattress with storage underneath that would fit a snowboard/surfboard...let me know if you have any suggestions. You do excellent work!
You are a great craftsman!! Very nice work. Business idea for you: get the dimensions of different van types and draw up CAD plans for various layouts of each type. Customer orders “xyz” cabinets for a particular van (ex: Ford Transit) and you build the cabinets and ship it to them. They can do the install and the dimensions should be right on the money. Just an idea to expand your business offerings for those that can’t go all the way the Cali or who want to save some money and do most of the buildout themselves.
You certainly have hit it on the nail. I believe he is doing well now, but also he could expand his business. He might even hire personnel that he can get along with and make more videos depending on the brands of the vehicles. As he works on the vehicles, he could take notes on the dimensions. If someone makes an order of what he has made, he can either send the plans or send the materials already cut to size.
I had built storage cabinets in the first and second build of my sprinter 3500xd, I did not put enough thought into minimizing added weight of materials and since I haul a Harley in the back and pull an Airstream version 3 will be all about minimizing weight to keep it below the vehicles GCVW rating. “A Design 4 Living” on youtube.
the electrical cabinet in most van builds wastes so much space could you have built a removable drawer unit for extra storage inside for charging electronics or lockable safe or made the battery box an extra seat and the electronics a backrest for the seat. excellent video. awesome carpentry.
Sure I could have, but this was the way the customer wanted it. And honestly it good to have quick access to the wiring and electronics sometimes just in case
+Barbara Coleman he was going to insulate it and do the rest himself! Yes I hope to meet up with him again to see how it looks finished and make a video!
Looks good! How much do you charge for your work? The only detail I see is the bed height, with high tops there is no good reason to have a the bed that low and waste a lot of additional storage space below... But I am sure this is how you were asked to do it, your work looks great!
You can send me an email at solidwoodworx@gmail.com for more pricing information. As for the reason the drawers are low is because the customer is going to build himself two couches on top that fold into a bed!
Awesome build...one thing I cannot figure...how does the locking mechanism on the left drawer work in conjunction with the table top insert? Is there a slot in the frame/carcass that the lock rotates up into? In both drawers? Just cannot see what actually locks the drawer into the carcass. Thanks!
Nice work! @00:45 - For your next project, make grooves all the way down to allow for changing the dimensions of the divided sections. I live in Dallas. Since I won't be driving to HB any time soon, can you provide consultations over Skype for my Promaster build?
Thank you! Trying to figure out if standard depth takes up too much space. But it looks great in this vid and we’re working on a pro after which is a little wider of a van.
So for this build the customer wanted the cabinets able to be unattached and moved since he was not done with the build. But yes usually I build the cabinet as close as a i can then scribe it. The top is last and i will cut that in to make it fit close as possible. Here is a link to another van build I did, where you can see more detail of a kitchen cabinet I built: th-cam.com/video/LqKyvAv_6II/w-d-xo.html
I've been looking at those push button catches in general, and have yet to find one with lots of reviews...or really anything to make me feel I'm choosing the best one out of a group of very similar options. Maybe you have experience with different ones and could comment? Thanks!
+BradKW ya Ive bought a few different kinds and there all pretty much the same honestly. Unless you go to a boating website and buy the stainless steel ones which are like $25 each!
Nice work with the van! Just curious, what wire gauge did you use between the battery and inverter? Couldn't see any thick wires and 1500W at 12V gives a high ampere.
Okay, actually that is too thin for a inverter of that size. If you running the inverter with a load of 1500W for a while, the wires can heat up too much and being a fire risk. Check for example page 5 in this PDF: www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/DataSheets/Skytronic/Guide_to_Inverters.pdf They recommend 2 AWG for a 1500W inverter if the total cable length is below 1 meter. Just saying this to be kind and being an electrical engineer. Your build is otherwise great!
When batteries charge these release gas that's explosive and bad to breath in. That's why it's not good to put batteries in the car. You should only use sealed batteries. I worked in the largest battery warehouse in the USA called enersys.
+Platinum Dragon Productions it's called birch plywood, I get it at home Depot. It's 7 layers of wood glued together to give it strength and doesn't weight too too much
+Douger Rohmer battery should be vented to the exterior of the vehicle, not too wise to have hydrogen gas building up inside, also its kind of corrosive.
+Solid Wood Worx just another thought those electronics get pretty warm over a long running time/in use, might want to consider a small computer\muffin fan one pulling air into box and one exhausting on opposite side, great job by the way.
I've often wondered why no one ever sections off the storage under their beds to keep it more organized! You're the first one I've seen do that and that is why your van is so neat and clean looking! I think the secret to camping in a van is to keep it neat as best you can. While I may be the type to run around with a broom and car vac, I know most aren't, however, there's nothing like keeping things well organized. It makes everything seem so much more spacious and also helps in finding things more easily! Great job!
insanely beautiful workmanship. The quality of your work is just amazing!
Why would anyone vote this down! Such epic videos!
Nice job man.
I am impressed, and I do not get impressed easily. You are very talented. The way you explain things are pretty down to earth and simple. Where in the world are you located?
Southern california
Real Nice - Thanks for showing
Dude!! Your work is very clean and professional. Best video ive seen on shelf conversions 👍
loads of storage... great job
You are incredibly talented and I love your energy I need you for my build
Very nice.
Superb quality workmanship, really nice to see. Those long drawers look like coffins, I assume they'll be used to carry corpses.
+alan may hope not haha
Beautiful woodwork!
This lads got skillzz
awesome build! you do great quality work!
Thank you
Looks solid, well done!
Top notch work.
Excellent work. I am trying to convert Promaster 3500 hi top. Thinking of driving all the way there to have you do it. Especially like the locks.
+Ruth Ann Sayger thank you
Ruth Ann Sayger my husband and I are beginning our promaster build as well!
His work is beautiful!
Ruth Ann Sayger ox
Solid Wood Worx
You should watch Dylan Magaster's video "Swiss Engineer designs ultra functional van w/ indoor shower". The engineer makes his cabinets and drawers lighter by reducing the weight of each item with a CNC machine. It's an ingenious idea.
Nice work!
This inspired me to build something for my Mercedes Marco Polo, which is a prebuilt... but I will take out the backseats and hit it up with a wooden box in the back, so I will get plenty of space and an extra bed...
I just can say it again.... Great Work! =)
Beautiful work!
Tres sweet!
Great design and work.👌🏼
Great video 45K views awesome! Keep them coming Brian 👍
U do some awesome work. Just came by your channel thru my feed and Im super stoked I did. We are looking to do our own lil van conversion. Nothing as nice as u do but you but you gave some freaking awesome ideas. I hope u dont mi nd but Campervan Kevinis doin a conversion on his new Transit
I'm goin ro suggest him to at least look in to what u are doin over here. I think your work is great. Glad to see a young man keepin up with the trades of working with your hands. Much 💘 & God Bless. ✌💖🌺
Thank you for the kind words, send me a photo once you get your van going. Good luck!
OMG I just moved from there to Texas. What street are you on. I now have a Thor Chateau so don't need any work except for shelves in a food closet. Love, love, love the way you set up the electronics. Next time I'm in California will drop in.
+pilotdiana email me solidwoodworx@gmail.com for any more questions.
I love this Brian!
Great job....impressive work
I live in Norcal...just bought a Red Nissan Nv200 Cargo Van and was very interested in driving down to Socal and meeting with you about building a platform for my mattress with storage underneath that would fit a snowboard/surfboard...let me know if you have any suggestions. You do excellent work!
excellent work!
You are a great craftsman!! Very nice work. Business idea for you: get the dimensions of different van types and draw up CAD plans for various layouts of each type. Customer orders “xyz” cabinets for a particular van (ex: Ford Transit) and you build the cabinets and ship it to them. They can do the install and the dimensions should be right on the money. Just an idea to expand your business offerings for those that can’t go all the way the Cali or who want to save some money and do most of the buildout themselves.
You certainly have hit it on the nail. I believe he is doing well now, but also he could expand his business. He might even hire personnel that he can get along with and make more videos depending on the brands of the vehicles. As he works on the vehicles, he could take notes on the dimensions. If someone makes an order of what he has made, he can either send the plans or send the materials already cut to size.
Awesome as usual
Wish you were close to me , I need cabinets but I am in Sacramento
Dude I really liked your work, wish you where in the UK.. lol
Fly me out haha
EXCELLANT Build,video.
I had built storage cabinets in the first and second build of my sprinter 3500xd, I did not put enough thought into minimizing added weight of materials and since I haul a Harley in the back and pull an Airstream version 3 will be all about minimizing weight to keep it below the vehicles GCVW rating.
“A Design 4 Living” on youtube.
good job!
awesome work! thanks for sharing!
This is amazing!!!
the electrical cabinet in most van builds wastes so much space could you have built a removable drawer unit for extra storage inside for charging electronics or lockable safe or made the battery box an extra seat and the electronics a backrest for the seat. excellent video. awesome carpentry.
Sure I could have, but this was the way the customer wanted it. And honestly it good to have quick access to the wiring and electronics sometimes just in case
Nice craftmanship. Did the owner not want insulation? Will there be a final video after everything has been completed?
+Barbara Coleman he was going to insulate it and do the rest himself! Yes I hope to meet up with him again to see how it looks finished and make a video!
Awesome
i loveeeeddd
Looks good! How much do you charge for your work? The only detail I see is the bed height, with high tops there is no good reason to have a the bed that low and waste a lot of additional storage space below... But I am sure this is how you were asked to do it, your work looks great!
You can send me an email at solidwoodworx@gmail.com for more pricing information. As for the reason the drawers are low is because the customer is going to build himself two couches on top that fold into a bed!
Awesome build...one thing I cannot figure...how does the locking mechanism on the left drawer work in conjunction with the table top insert? Is there a slot in the frame/carcass that the lock rotates up into? In both drawers? Just cannot see what actually locks the drawer into the carcass. Thanks!
Where's the link to the electrical vid
your really cool
Is that just regular plywood or something else? Dude you do awesome carpentry work very impressive 😎
Its called Pine Ply watch my video here: th-cam.com/video/k8jagAzMif0/w-d-xo.html
Nice work!
@00:45 - For your next project, make grooves all the way down to allow for changing the dimensions of the divided sections.
I live in Dallas. Since I won't be driving to HB any time soon, can you provide consultations over Skype for my Promaster build?
Please email me solidwoodworx@gmail.com for more information
Nice, but might want to insulate and finish interior surfaces.
+Thomas Sutherland the customer wanted to do some himself
Locks for the draws and cupboards? For when hes driving?
There push button locks so when you push that knob i pull the drawers out within it locks a pin inside the cabinet.
Beautiful build, is that kitchen cabinet standard depth or did you custom build it a little slimmer?
If i can remember its about 24" deep.
Thank you! Trying to figure out if standard depth takes up too much space. But it looks great in this vid and we’re working on a pro after which is a little wider of a van.
*ram promaster
Yes the Promaster are definitely a nice vehicle to work in.
Is there going to be a countertop on top of those cabinets? Do you do finishing work like edge banding too?
+Datzneat yes the customer is doing it himself. Yes I do edgebanding.
Brian, do you scribe the back of the cabinets (kitchen counter) and cut to fit, or just build them square and fit them in as close as they will go?
So for this build the customer wanted the cabinets able to be unattached and moved since he was not done with the build. But yes usually I build the cabinet as close as a i can then scribe it. The top is last and i will cut that in to make it fit close as possible. Here is a link to another van build I did, where you can see more detail of a kitchen cabinet I built: th-cam.com/video/LqKyvAv_6II/w-d-xo.html
Do you install water tanks underneath vans too? Like a fresh and grey water tank?
+MrZola1234 never have yet
I've been looking at those push button catches in general, and have yet to find one with lots of reviews...or really anything to make me feel I'm choosing the best one out of a group of very similar options. Maybe you have experience with different ones and could comment? Thanks!
+BradKW ya Ive bought a few different kinds and there all pretty much the same honestly. Unless you go to a boating website and buy the stainless steel ones which are like $25 each!
Id say avoid ones with plastic latches. I built a cupboard in my van and I used some off ebay and they broke.
Where did you get the passenger seat with the storage compartment??
All the seats were already in there when he bought it
Have you done any work for a vw t5 vans? Cos i love your work n would like to see if u have done any cheers
+Henry Htun I have not
Man, I’m assuming you don’t remember the side of both of those drawers you made for the rear do ya?
4ft long
nice storage ideas but no insulation?
The customer was going to be doing all of that himself.
Nice! Wonder where the gas would go...
Awesome work! Where are you located?
+Nora Steel Huntington Beach, California
How much did you charge for that cool set up. Where are you located in the States?
+Michael Preiwtt for build inquires please email me solidwoodworx@gmail.com
Great vid, great job! How wide is that Van?
Around 67" so 5' 7"
What kind of battery charger is that,how many amps?
+Zoltan Szabatin link in the video description
where are you located? and how much do you charge a day?
I am in Huntington Beach, California. And for more information please email me solidwoodworx@gmail.com
Nice work with the van! Just curious, what wire gauge did you use between the battery and inverter? Couldn't see any thick wires and 1500W at 12V gives a high ampere.
Of i can remember correctly I used 6 gauge wires directly from inverter to battery.
Okay, actually that is too thin for a inverter of that size. If you running the inverter with a load of 1500W for a while, the wires can heat up too much and being a fire risk.
Check for example page 5 in this PDF: www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/DataSheets/Skytronic/Guide_to_Inverters.pdf
They recommend 2 AWG for a 1500W inverter if the total cable length is below 1 meter.
Just saying this to be kind and being an electrical engineer. Your build is otherwise great!
Nice! Question: the long drawer with the worktop, how much weight could it handle without warp risk?
+Noeraldin Kabam the drawer guides claim 200lbs
Thanks
What slides are you using for these.
Thete is a link in the bio
Is venting the battery to the passenger compartment safe. or did I see wrong?
Its a sealed battery.
that's good - thank you
where are you located
Huntington Beach, California
What part of the country is your shop at?
+Kevin Bellamy southern california
Every single statement is a question ?
yes
When batteries charge these release gas that's explosive and bad to breath in. That's why it's not good to put batteries in the car. You should only use sealed batteries. I worked in the largest battery warehouse in the USA called enersys.
it is a sealed battery.
What type of wood did you use on this?
+Platinum Dragon Productions it's called birch plywood, I get it at home Depot. It's 7 layers of wood glued together to give it strength and doesn't weight too too much
Cool, thank you. :-)
Is the battery vented into the living area?
Yes
OK, thanks.
+Douger Rohmer battery should be vented to the exterior of the vehicle, not too wise to have hydrogen gas building up inside, also its kind of corrosive.
+Charles Greene it's a sealed battery
+Solid Wood Worx just another thought those electronics get pretty warm over a long running time/in use, might want to consider a small computer\muffin fan one pulling air into box and one exhausting on opposite side, great job by the way.
What is that weird clicking sound?
No shower???
Customer didnt want one
Nice work but please don't chew gum when presenting.
2 many windows.... and for God's sake... no bathroom?