Sorry this has taken so long to get out! I'm in the midst of a workshop move at the moment so admin and editing duties have completely gone out the window. That being said, please be assured that this is the 2nd video in a 10 part series that will be released on this channel. See full playlist here: th-cam.com/play/PLDPvEofXXRCNO0vczCPTWs2GbYpKPFQ5x.html Additionally there will be 30 or so slower paced videos being released on the 2nd channel should you wish to watch things more leisurely: th-cam.com/play/PLxEOjQJVRPv5-vhkwaNT7sV8oqcGO9QTQ.html Finally, after part 4 of this van conversion series is released, the workshop move and fitout should have been completed and there will be an amazing 2 part video focused on all the f**kery that's been going on the past half year. Hopefully it'll explain the long absences 😅 Have a great Christmas and New Year!
The first half of the th-cam.com/users/postUgkx3ICSK6nSknaL_45CU2NmFSoXjarGMDiJ book is everything about wood: types, tools, finishes, setting up shop etc. The second half is all about doing projects for inside and outside of the home. The color pictures are helpful. After reading a dozen of these types of books, this is probably the best overall (layout, color photos, plans). Only detraction is that many of the projects use a table saw/router/planer, which are usually expensive and take up space, so the plans are less friendly to newcomers and the budget conscious. But I know I can use a drill, circular saw or a jigsaw to make the projects.
I LOVE the quick and efficient editing and voice over of this video. Tons of progress shown in a few minutes. Amazing! I'm excited for the coming videos as well!
I love your rip it down to the ground and do the right thing from the bottom up. It’s the thing that extends my own projects getter done time keeps me from dealing with future problems. Great job and thanks for sharing!
Your van rust video, reminds me why i didnt let any " professional " company install my ply lining, on my van which was new in Dec 2022, as they would have put screws in the floor and the wheel arches. I did it myself as i wanted to insulate the floor and the rest of the van. I also had to fix what VW denies is a problem, with the same type of plastic trim grommet type, push in fixings, for trim panels, which will always leak. Great job you did !
Nice video Matt; i know this will result in an epic adventure. But first watching you building this van-home with all your fine carpentry skills and great tendency to perfection is sheer joy in itself!
Saw your video from this week. Then was furious that I missed this video from a month ago. Then I was EVEN MORE FURIOUS YET THAT THERES A MATT ESTLEA EXTENDED CHANNEL WHAT THE HELL HAVE I BEEN MISSING.
When you start putting skylights etc, be sure you use Butyl non-setting mastic to form a waterproof seal. Do not use silicon. Most caravan shops will stock it. Happy Christmas, Charles
Ha, so strange, i was thinking about you and your channel today. thinking havent seen a vid in ages and POOOF u uploaded (must think more next time ha) i love your channel and what a fantastic video :) Merry Christmas
I did the same thing yesterday, actually checked Matt's Patreon page to see if he'd posted anything there or on his other SM accounts and was getting a bit worried. So happy to see the new vids posted today!
Short video but packed with awesome content your van - new home is looking great the work your doing to it is top notch it looks new again. You’ve got me hanging to see more progress
I cant wait to see it finished :D You are the only one true creator that do it for himself not for views PS. If u want to have big battery pack inside Dont ever go with li-ion etc They like to ....explode Only average deep discharge Or better lifepo4 from winston energy /// LTO but they expensive and heavy Both undestructible Both last thousands of charging cycles
Hi Matt , I know this is a super late comment … I’ve only just found this series. Someone may have already made this comment but in case it’s been missed. A bimetallic reaction occurs between aluminium and steel which encourages corrosion as I found out to my cost on a Mk1 VW golf. This can be simply solved by introducing a barrier such as a thick plastic tape as a gasket. Great work really enjoy the content I’ve seen so far ( the woodworking stuff).
Look after a few Sprinter/Crafter vans at work mate, one spot to watch out for is the drains along the sills but especially for the rear quarters. Tiny little drain just behind the rear wheels that fills up with crud and it will hold loads and loads of water inside the van doing it no good whatsoever, always make a point of blasting them all out with the airline whenever i get one on my ramp...
Hi Matt, just seen this, great. Wire cup brush, you should run these on your angle grinder, much faster therefore better work rate. I look forward to the rest of the build.
Great work matt! Love the quick showdown and well done everything. Going into my third year now (iveco daily carpenter and living van combined) and still happy. Cheers
Matt, just to say thanks for an older video on your channel (the one about cutting cross halving joints, from Nov/2017), it was useful in the construction of a replacement oak cemetery cross I sorted out a few months ago.
It has been really entertaining seeing the progress you’ve made on Instagram and I didn’t realize just how much work has gone into it until seeing it all in one video
Wow! I love Matt’s extreme attention to detail, fixing and preventing future problems. Along with a good sense of humor and patience. Mercedes is supposed to be one of the safest vehicle brands but will the seat change lower the safety level? Seats are a big part of the safety issue.
The irony that is me, who used to be a coach builder and is now trying to be a furniture maker and restorer watching a furniture maker trying to be a coach builder. Thinking you may be more successful at the switch! Lol
Matt great video always interesting and inspiring how you edit and capture the story I might have you on the dovetails but you are a true master at making great videos
Oh wow, I'd not realized you were for this level of...hmm, is "luxury" the right word? Sophistication, then. This seems much less a van conversation and much more a DIY motorhome. Can't wait to see what the next steps were, brother.
I've wanted to live out of a boat or van since I was a kid, now more than ever I want to do so, but since starting a family with my gf and pets, it's become more of a dream than a reality
Of course, you were NEVER going to buy an old builder's van and shove in a log burner and an old double bed were you Matt! I'm really looking forward to the next videos on this build.
A great series, Matt. The van is looking great! It won’t be long and you’ll be owning a van conversion business within the next year or so 😁 Also, the editing is spot on and it’s so well done that it makes me want to go and check your other channel out too. Anyway, have a great Christmas if you can (if you’re not busy with your van that is) and I hope the New Year brings your goals and aspirations that bit closer. All the best to you and everyone around you. P.S. I’m loving my knife!
Hi Matt, amazing video, as all the rest of yours are too. What is the make of the pilot/swivel seat bases please? Id love to buy them. Keep these videos coming :) all the best, Istvan
Hey Matt, I just saw your QandA from 2019 and you said that you would like to do a collaboration with Alec Steele but that it would be difficult because he is in America. However, I watch you both and Alec has been in England for a while now with a second workshop. So if you see this comment, I would think it would be soo cool if you two made a video together.
Looking awesome. Are you going to be able to tow some form of trailer converted into a workshop behind the sprinter, so you can continue bringing us the amazing woodworking we all know and love that you do?
You've probably already what I'm going advise you not to do. That is pir board on floor. Glue it directly to the battens already on floor (metal ones) You've got approx 14 of them. About 50mm space between. Then glue ply onto that. A much overall flatter surface to lay ply onto. Glue joints together on ply getting as near perfect a level joint. Sand afterwards if any unevenness. As you're putting vynil on after & imperfections will show through
My immediate thought was about the issue of aluminium next to steel. Moisture in the air can start an electrolytic reaction so on balance I think I would have chosen wood but maybe Matt will mention this during the build.
Hmm i'd check that rust every year. I m not particularly reassured from how I saw you treat the underside with body coat. Rust itself is inert, it is the process UNDER the rust that has to be stopped, which undercoat just seals with air and salts in it. (Owner of a VERY rusty Saab speaking 😅)
Matt, why have you not gave me a call before packing everything up ? I you have told you we haven’t got mental yet here in Canada ! you could have moved here, we would have been really pleased 😁
I been dying to ask! Every restoration video I've ever seen from across the pond at one point or another has Hammerite paint in it. Is this the UK version of krylon just the go to quick and easy to get paint?
Hammerite is actually pretty cool stuff, I have an old trailer that we sprayed with Hammerite more than 25 years ago and the finish is still shiny and holding tough. The thing sits outside in the weather and that paint is about the only thing still working on it.
Many years sho I dropped a tin of white Hammerite and some spilled out on the pavement. It stayed there until they resurfaced the pavement about 25 years later. Tough stuff.
watching people with no major health issues, money and skill build out vans is very discouraging for me. It is taking me 4 years to make my van. I know you are working hard, and your video editing is really great, and you've done a ton of work. I hope your build makes you happy.
Holy fuck. The amount of rust proofing you had to do is absolutely insane. I'm just going to buy a brand new fucking van and professionally rustproof it...
This poor guy could be the twin brother pf that crypto fraudster from FTX Sam Bankman-Fried, yikes, hope you don't get hassled in life. But if you will be on the road maybe nobody notices like me. hahah. good luck with the Van mate
Haha yeaaaa so I’ve been told. Unfortunately it’s me who’s late to the party this time. Feel like I’m ripping off everyone else who’s already done a van conversion on TH-cam 😂
Sorry this has taken so long to get out! I'm in the midst of a workshop move at the moment so admin and editing duties have completely gone out the window. That being said, please be assured that this is the 2nd video in a 10 part series that will be released on this channel. See full playlist here:
th-cam.com/play/PLDPvEofXXRCNO0vczCPTWs2GbYpKPFQ5x.html
Additionally there will be 30 or so slower paced videos being released on the 2nd channel should you wish to watch things more leisurely:
th-cam.com/play/PLxEOjQJVRPv5-vhkwaNT7sV8oqcGO9QTQ.html
Finally, after part 4 of this van conversion series is released, the workshop move and fitout should have been completed and there will be an amazing 2 part video focused on all the f**kery that's been going on the past half year. Hopefully it'll explain the long absences 😅
Have a great Christmas and New Year!
Loving the videos Matt. Looking forward to seeing an update 👌🏻
The first half of the th-cam.com/users/postUgkx3ICSK6nSknaL_45CU2NmFSoXjarGMDiJ book is everything about wood: types, tools, finishes, setting up shop etc. The second half is all about doing projects for inside and outside of the home. The color pictures are helpful. After reading a dozen of these types of books, this is probably the best overall (layout, color photos, plans). Only detraction is that many of the projects use a table saw/router/planer, which are usually expensive and take up space, so the plans are less friendly to newcomers and the budget conscious. But I know I can use a drill, circular saw or a jigsaw to make the projects.
Nice one Matt. Really glad to see you sorting the less glamorous stuff first. Many don’t and regret it later on
I LOVE the quick and efficient editing and voice over of this video. Tons of progress shown in a few minutes. Amazing! I'm excited for the coming videos as well!
Glad you like it Chris! 😊
Follow your path my friend. Be a leader for those who want to follow. Cheers
Proper prepping!
GL on the build.
Thanks. Seeing this make easier, or at least, seem easier.
I love your rip it down to the ground and do the right thing from the bottom up. It’s the thing that extends my own projects getter done time keeps me from dealing with future problems. Great job and thanks for sharing!
Yes. By far the best video I’ve watched. You’re straight to the point, and super easy to understand . THANK YOUUUU.
New subscriber
I wish I had done your rust treatment to my truck when I got it. Would have saved me a lot of headaches. Great job.
Wow! Things are looking great! A little goes long way! Keep making memories & adventure on! ~Karen & Shannon WOY
Nice to see you back again.
Your van rust video, reminds me why i didnt let any " professional " company install my ply lining, on my van which was new in Dec 2022, as they would have put screws in the floor and the wheel arches. I did it myself as i wanted to insulate the floor and the rest of the van. I also had to fix what VW denies is a problem, with the same type of plastic trim grommet type, push in fixings, for trim panels, which will always leak. Great job you did !
Nice video Matt; i know this will result in an epic adventure. But first watching you building this van-home with all your fine carpentry skills and great tendency to perfection is sheer joy in itself!
I used a wire brush to clean the rust off some exterior pot lights last summer... An absolute hell of a job. Kudos for the hard work!
Hell yes! Great work Matt. Can't wait for what's to come!! Until next time, take care!
I love watching anything your up to! The swift editing and beautiful voice overs are completely captivating!
Thank you Jacob :)
Hey! was just thinking what was happening with you, thanks for the update!
Nice work; love watching you do this. I once travelled around England with three other guys in a Sprinter Motor Home and liked it a lot.
Sounds amazing!
awsome video series! keep up the good work 👍👍
Cool! Can't wait to see the other videos!
Very keen for this series!
Saw your video from this week. Then was furious that I missed this video from a month ago. Then I was EVEN MORE FURIOUS YET THAT THERES A MATT ESTLEA EXTENDED CHANNEL WHAT THE HELL HAVE I BEEN MISSING.
When you start putting skylights etc, be sure you use Butyl non-setting mastic to form a waterproof seal. Do not use silicon. Most caravan shops will stock it. Happy Christmas, Charles
Great progress... can't wait to see how it all turns out.
Thanks Adam!! :)
Ha, so strange, i was thinking about you and your channel today. thinking havent seen a vid in ages and POOOF u uploaded (must think more next time ha) i love your channel and what a fantastic video :) Merry Christmas
I did the same thing yesterday, actually checked Matt's Patreon page to see if he'd posted anything there or on his other SM accounts and was getting a bit worried. So happy to see the new vids posted today!
Thank you both! All good here, just very hectic as usual 😅
Short video but packed with awesome content your van - new home is looking great the work your doing to it is top notch it looks new again. You’ve got me hanging to see more progress
I cant wait to see it finished :D
You are the only one true creator that do it for himself not for views
PS.
If u want to have big battery pack inside
Dont ever go with li-ion etc
They like to ....explode
Only average deep discharge
Or better lifepo4 from winston energy
/// LTO but they expensive and heavy
Both undestructible
Both last thousands of charging cycles
Got some Victron lifepo4 batteries for this build :)
love the series already, very inspiring
Great video 👍 Great work especially the rust prevention
Hi Matt , I know this is a super late comment … I’ve only just found this series. Someone may have already made this comment but in case it’s been missed. A bimetallic reaction occurs between aluminium and steel which encourages corrosion as I found out to my cost on a Mk1 VW golf. This can be simply solved by introducing a barrier such as a thick plastic tape as a gasket. Great work really enjoy the content I’ve seen so far ( the woodworking stuff).
Look after a few Sprinter/Crafter vans at work mate, one spot to watch out for is the drains along the sills but especially for the rear quarters. Tiny little drain just behind the rear wheels that fills up with crud and it will hold loads and loads of water inside the van doing it no good whatsoever, always make a point of blasting them all out with the airline whenever i get one on my ramp...
So satisfying to see the van go from dingy, to mottled, to red streaked, to clean white 🙌🏼✨
If only I could make the same transition :(
@@MattEstlea Don’t worry, you clean up nice 😎
Content continues to get better and better! Good job with the van, looking forward for the next videos! Cheers!
Ain't rust a Bxxxx Matt, but you are doing a great Matt, can't wait for the next one OH and have a Happy New Year !!!.
Hi Matt, just seen this, great. Wire cup brush, you should run these on your angle grinder, much faster therefore better work rate. I look forward to the rest of the build.
Great work matt! Love the quick showdown and well done everything. Going into my third year now (iveco daily carpenter and living van combined) and still happy. Cheers
Good video!!! Love the editing!
Always a nice compliment. Thank you!
Matt, just to say thanks for an older video on your channel (the one about cutting cross halving joints, from Nov/2017), it was useful in the construction of a replacement oak cemetery cross I sorted out a few months ago.
Glad to hear it! Thank you for letting me know
It has been really entertaining seeing the progress you’ve made on Instagram and I didn’t realize just how much work has gone into it until seeing it all in one video
Just you wait until the insulation video comes out. I wanted to kill myself 😅
Wow! I love Matt’s extreme attention to detail, fixing and preventing future problems. Along with a good sense of humor and patience. Mercedes is supposed to be one of the safest vehicle brands but will the seat change lower the safety level? Seats are a big part of the safety issue.
Thank you Helen! 😊 These specific mechanisms are all M1 tested so should be ok. But you are right as this isn’t always the case with all of them.
The irony that is me, who used to be a coach builder and is now trying to be a furniture maker and restorer watching a furniture maker trying to be a coach builder. Thinking you may be more successful at the switch! Lol
Impressive for a wood splitter lol...good to see you neering escape....
Awesome work!!!
Matt great video always interesting and inspiring how you edit and capture the story I might have you on the dovetails but you are a true master at making great videos
One day Tim… one day
Oh wow, I'd not realized you were for this level of...hmm, is "luxury" the right word? Sophistication, then. This seems much less a van conversation and much more a DIY motorhome. Can't wait to see what the next steps were, brother.
I've wanted to live out of a boat or van since I was a kid, now more than ever I want to do so, but since starting a family with my gf and pets, it's become more of a dream than a reality
I’ve seen it been done 👀
Exciting!
Of course, you were NEVER going to buy an old builder's van and shove in a log burner and an old double bed were you Matt!
I'm really looking forward to the next videos on this build.
Oh god no. I’ve seen up close how those things are treated 😂 thanks Martin
A great series, Matt. The van is looking great! It won’t be long and you’ll be owning a van conversion business within the next year or so 😁 Also, the editing is spot on and it’s so well done that it makes me want to go and check your other channel out too.
Anyway, have a great Christmas if you can (if you’re not busy with your van that is) and I hope the New Year brings your goals and aspirations that bit closer. All the best to you and everyone around you.
P.S. I’m loving my knife!
Cheers Chris! I’m not even done but I know for sure it won’t be my last. Have a good Christmas too!
Hi Matt, amazing video, as all the rest of yours are too. What is the make of the pilot/swivel seat bases please? Id love to buy them. Keep these videos coming :) all the best, Istvan
Nice 👍👍
YES
Hey Matt,
I just saw your QandA from 2019 and you said that you would like to do a collaboration with Alec Steele but that it would be difficult because he is in America.
However, I watch you both and Alec has been in England for a while now with a second workshop. So if you see this comment, I would think it would be soo cool if you two made a video together.
Just wondering if you need to insulate between the aluminium and steel to help reduce ionisation
Looking awesome. Are you going to be able to tow some form of trailer converted into a workshop behind the sprinter, so you can continue bringing us the amazing woodworking we all know and love that you do?
Well, that’s season 2 sorted ;)
@@MattEstlea yes! Would be epic!
I have nothing to say really, but I appreciate your content, and wish to help with the yt-algorithms.
Dont forget yer cavities! 😮 especially the doors.
what was the tool you used to map out the inside of the van.
You've probably already what I'm going advise you not to do.
That is pir board on floor. Glue it directly to the battens already on floor (metal ones)
You've got approx 14 of them. About 50mm space between. Then glue ply onto that. A much overall flatter surface to lay ply onto.
Glue joints together on ply getting as near perfect a level joint. Sand afterwards if any unevenness. As you're putting vynil on after & imperfections will show through
sick video:))
What iphone app did you use to 3D scan the insides of the van?
What app was it that you used to scan the inside of the van?
Very interested in how you chose aluminium box section Vs wood to build the frame, was the weight about the same or was it all about the strength?
My immediate thought was about the issue of aluminium next to steel. Moisture in the air can start an electrolytic reaction so on balance I think I would have chosen wood but maybe Matt will mention this during the build.
@@Birkguitars thank you.
👍👍
Hmm i'd check that rust every year. I m not particularly reassured from how I saw you treat the underside with body coat. Rust itself is inert, it is the process UNDER the rust that has to be stopped, which undercoat just seals with air and salts in it. (Owner of a VERY rusty Saab speaking 😅)
Matt, why have you not gave me a call before packing everything up ? I you have told you we haven’t got mental yet here in Canada ! you could have moved here, we would have been really pleased 😁
I’ve already looked at quotes for getting it across the pond. Quite expensive but not unreasonable
What happened to the van build, what is the last video?
cool
Hey I miss you where have you been.
What the second channel called?
What’s the link to the sister Chanel
I been dying to ask! Every restoration video I've ever seen from across the pond at one point or another has Hammerite paint in it. Is this the UK version of krylon just the go to quick and easy to get paint?
Yea it’s the go-to for most consumer based metal paints I would say. Very good stuff. Not sure what the pros use though
Hammerite is actually pretty cool stuff, I have an old trailer that we sprayed with Hammerite more than 25 years ago and the finish is still shiny and holding tough. The thing sits outside in the weather and that paint is about the only thing still working on it.
Many years sho I dropped a tin of white Hammerite and some spilled out on the pavement. It stayed there until they resurfaced the pavement about 25 years later. Tough stuff.
Where are you Matt? What are you up to?
watching people with no major health issues, money and skill build out vans is very discouraging for me. It is taking me 4 years to make my van. I know you are working hard, and your video editing is really great, and you've done a ton of work. I hope your build makes you happy.
Are you done with the woodworking videos then?
Promote your 2nd channel more....I found the detail on it far more interesting than the abridged version in this video. Compliment not a criticism!
I love your woodworking skills but I just can't forgive you for what you did to all those FTX customers.
Hi
Should have saved yourself a lot of work and bought a VW instead of a Merc rust magnet😆😆
Aren’t VW LT35 and Merc Sprinters the same van ?
You surviving m8?
Holy fuck. The amount of rust proofing you had to do is absolutely insane.
I'm just going to buy a brand new fucking van and professionally rustproof it...
This poor guy could be the twin brother pf that crypto fraudster from FTX Sam Bankman-Fried, yikes, hope you don't get hassled in life. But if you will be on the road maybe nobody notices like me. hahah. good luck with the Van mate
Your video was awesome! You should use a service such as *Promo sm*!
I’ve seen so many of your videos get ripped off by big name TH-camrs after you post. If it happens with this project… 😂🫣
Haha yeaaaa so I’ve been told. Unfortunately it’s me who’s late to the party this time. Feel like I’m ripping off everyone else who’s already done a van conversion on TH-cam 😂
The difference is in the quality, both in the production and the presenter. Can’t wait for the next one, Matt.