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Old 10-19-2005, 05:08 PM   #1
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Schoolbus Homestead

I guess I've never posted my skoolie project here.
So here it is -- only 10 months into it. It's been a great experience.

http://seanf.smugmug.com

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Old 12-24-2005, 09:39 PM   #2
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Adding birch paneling to the interior. Also found some nice looking and high-quality folding steps for accessing the rear door. Good price too. Link is at my website.

Looky here, see Bus Conversion Log, December 24, 2005 update.

We started working on the bus 1 year ago today -- come a long way, but still lots to do!
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Old 12-26-2005, 12:38 PM   #3
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Happy anniversary!

See -- once you get the fundamental stuff down, the other stuff comes together pretty quickly!

Looks good!
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Old 12-26-2005, 09:23 PM   #4
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Thanks Eric. It's been a fun year.
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Old 01-08-2006, 08:04 PM   #5
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We replaced the front folding doors with a door from a 1982 Vogue RV. Dig the round window.



Complete conversion log here.
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Old 01-09-2006, 01:50 PM   #6
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That looks cool! It reminds me of the Yellow Submarine!
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Old 01-09-2006, 05:31 PM   #7
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Thanks Eric. Yeah, it definitely has a nautical feel to it.

On a related note: For windows, we'll probably go with small RV-style windows...but for a while I was eyeballing (and still am, don't tell the girlfriend!) some boat windows.

They're a bit small (usually maxing out at 7" x 14" glass size for rectangular models, 8"-10" diameter for round ones), but talk about cool! (not to mention waterproof)

Here are some:

http://www.newfoundmetals.com/catalog/pg15.html

http://www.becksonmarine.com/opening.html

Unfortunately they seem to have hull thickness limits around 1.25-2 inches. My "hull" is just under 3".
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Old 01-11-2006, 07:22 AM   #8
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There's a lot of boat stuff that can be translated into the bus environment. You might try some boat salvage yards if you live near any large bodies of water.
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Old 01-15-2006, 10:23 AM   #9
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Added 2 windows. These are JC Whitney sliding windows, of which they've recently run out of stock (they only have driver's side models). We installed the 2 we have on hand.



Complete conversion log here.
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Old 02-12-2006, 09:08 PM   #10
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Almost a month since our last update.

We installed oak flooring:


Cleaned up a freebie sink/counter unit:


Constructed a sit-down shower enclosure:


The whole story can be found here.
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Old 02-13-2006, 08:04 PM   #11
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Man, that's looking NICE! I really like your floor!
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Old 02-14-2006, 09:56 AM   #12
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Thanks Eric. The floor was quite easy -- probably the easiest thing we've done. That was nice.
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Old 02-14-2006, 01:37 PM   #13
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Is that a cabin?

Your conversion looks more like a small cabin than a bus! Great looking floors.

Chad
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Old 02-14-2006, 04:45 PM   #14
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That DOES look nice! Hey, have you tried having someone in socks stand at one end while you accel / decel to see if they would slide from one end to the other?
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Old 02-15-2006, 09:34 AM   #15
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Thank you for the comments.

No doubt they would slide like crazy.
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Old 02-15-2006, 11:46 AM   #16
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Watch that sliding stuff! I lost the stairwell courtesy light to a cast iron hand pump that slid from the rear of the bus up to the front door stairwell at a quick (but not sudden) stop. Also broke the cast iron pump, which was going to be the backup waterpump for my bathroom.

The biggest reason that I don't drive my bus much is that I have not completed making all of the fixtures (shelves, cabinets, etc.) secure against the motion of travel. That and the fact that it won't go more than 50MPH. And the fact that diesel is $2.40/gallon and I get 8 mpg.

But the sliding/shifting/falling issue is a biggie.
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Old 02-15-2006, 10:00 PM   #17
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Ouch. Duly noted!
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Old 03-29-2006, 11:48 AM   #18
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Since my last update we...

...installed 3 Hehr model 5900 windows in the galley area:

(more details)

...installed the PrecisionTemp RV-500 on-demand water heater:

(more details)

...installed the 58-gallon greywater tank:

(more details)

...FRP'ed the shower enclosure:

(more details)
(also see March 26)

...and nearly completed the kitchen pantry buildout:

(more details)

Next on THE LIST is propane and propane accessories.
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Old 03-29-2006, 04:58 PM   #19
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Most excellent work! What did you use for the trim on the front steps in the stepwell? I've been looking for something like that.

Your bus is looking very nice, indeed!
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Old 03-29-2006, 11:29 PM   #20
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Thanks Eric.

We used a step protector from Home Depot. It's mounted upside down -- you can see the pre-drilled mounting on the forward facing leg of the angle. That's because of an "oops" moment when I cut an angle backwards on the miter saw. Then I sorta had to cut all of the angles that way.



Fastened it with a few leftover stainless screws and finish washers.

Sean
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