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Old 03-21-2016, 09:53 AM   #61
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way to go

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Old 03-28-2016, 01:17 PM   #62
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Year: 1997
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Thank you all--especially Sheila

I bought my bus the last weekend in February--here it is the end of March and I'm still trying to get the floor out--cause of the screws holding down the alum strips holding down floor matting--I've been feeling blue cause it feels like I am not making progress
Thanks to Shelia's asking for info and all of the resulting support--I don't feel so bad or so alone.
I just have to persevere. I'm not very young and not very fit--but I can and will do this--I must say even after a really bad day at work--driving in my driveway still makes me smile. It probably won't be this year--cause I don't like to sweat and MS is VERY HUMID; but I will get it done--even the ceiling that scares me bunches!
Maybe I'll even get some pics of my bus up. so very much!
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Old 03-28-2016, 01:41 PM   #63
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You'll get it worked out! These vehicles are tough and were designed for a lot of abuse. You're attempting to take stuff apart that wasn't really intended to come apart ever again, so you gotta use your brain and brawn to get those pieces to crack in the way you need.

If there's a piece of advice to give you is that eggs must be broken to make an omlette. Said another way, drill those screws out and rip up the trim if you're not going to use those parts again.


Quote:
Originally Posted by cheryl_ann44 View Post
I bought my bus the last weekend in February--here it is the end of March and I'm still trying to get the floor out--cause of the screws holding down the alum strips holding down floor matting--I've been feeling blue cause it feels like I am not making progress
Thanks to Shelia's asking for info and all of the resulting support--I don't feel so bad or so alone.
I just have to persevere. I'm not very young and not very fit--but I can and will do this--I must say even after a really bad day at work--driving in my driveway still makes me smile. It probably won't be this year--cause I don't like to sweat and MS is VERY HUMID; but I will get it done--even the ceiling that scares me bunches!
Maybe I'll even get some pics of my bus up. so very much!
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Old 03-28-2016, 05:12 PM   #64
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cheryl_ann44 View Post
I bought my bus the last weekend in February--here it is the end of March and I'm still trying to get the floor out--cause of the screws holding down the alum strips holding down floor matting--I've been feeling blue cause it feels like I am not making progress
Thanks to Shelia's asking for info and all of the resulting support--I don't feel so bad or so alone.
I just have to persevere. I'm not very young and not very fit--but I can and will do this--I must say even after a really bad day at work--driving in my driveway still makes me smile. It probably won't be this year--cause I don't like to sweat and MS is VERY HUMID; but I will get it done--even the ceiling that scares me bunches!
Maybe I'll even get some pics of my bus up. so very much!
Hi! Don't ever feel alone, there are a lot of great people here that will help you whether by words of advice or words to lift your spirits so you can keep going. Just take your time and work at your pace and most importantly have the right tool for the specific job you are tackling. It makes a world of difference[emoji1]
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Old 03-28-2016, 05:15 PM   #65
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Ceiling panels are out! I couldn't have done it without the help of EastcoastCB. So thank you very much!!!

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Old 03-28-2016, 07:14 PM   #66
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BEAUTIFUL! I love the sight of a freshly gutted bus. I even love the sight of my gutted last year bus!

Glad you're progressing. I took some folks for a bus ride in mine today.

Aaron- I couldn't agree more and I say it all the time- You gotta break a few eggs...
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Old 03-28-2016, 07:21 PM   #67
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aaronsb View Post
drill those screws out and rip up the trim if you're not going to use those parts again.
I've come to that point where I'm about to say frak it, get another drill so I can get SWMBO out there and attack literally all the remaining screws that way.
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Old 03-28-2016, 07:22 PM   #68
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Go medieval on the damn things!
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Old 03-28-2016, 07:39 PM   #69
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Now that is an absolutely beautiful sight. Tear it down to make it better!!!
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Old 03-28-2016, 07:39 PM   #70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cheryl_ann44 View Post
I bought my bus the last weekend in February--here it is the end of March and I'm still trying to get the floor out--cause of the screws holding down the alum strips holding down floor matting--I've been feeling blue cause it feels like I am not making progress
Thanks to Shelia's asking for info and all of the resulting support--I don't feel so bad or so alone.
I just have to persevere. I'm not very young and not very fit--but I can and will do this--I must say even after a really bad day at work--driving in my driveway still makes me smile. It probably won't be this year--cause I don't like to sweat and MS is VERY HUMID; but I will get it done--even the ceiling that scares me bunches!
Maybe I'll even get some pics of my bus up. so very much!
Where at in Mississippi??
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Old 03-29-2016, 09:16 AM   #71
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 27
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Coachwork: Amtran
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Rated Cap: 77
Small community south of Pelahatchie, called Shiloh. Approx 30 miles east of Jackson! VERY rural.
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Old 03-31-2016, 06:39 AM   #72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fp42583 View Post
There are 550 rivets. 10 rows with 55 rivets in each panel. I keep telling myself to remember the end product[emoji1]
quick question, are you drilling out the rivets or something else?
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Old 03-31-2016, 07:15 AM   #73
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Nah, just popped out the mandrel and sheared em off with an air chisel!
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Old 03-31-2016, 11:00 AM   #74
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What's a mandrel?
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Old 03-31-2016, 11:20 AM   #75
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The mandrel is the thing in the center of the pop rivet that looks like a nail on a new unused rivet and is the piece of metal showing in the center of an installed pop rivet. Put a tool on it that looks like a stick of metal that's been narrowed down so the pointy end is about the same diameter as the mandrel (usually called a punch or a drift) and give it a couple good whacks with a hammer and you will push the mandrel out the back end of the rivet.

As usual, Google and YouTube are your friends. Google "how do pop rivets work" and prepare to be overwhelmed with information.
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Old 06-16-2018, 06:55 AM   #76
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The discouraging part is watching ya throw in the towel and pay more than some houses cost to some guys in TN.
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Old 06-28-2018, 07:34 PM   #77
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Question Follow up question.

Newbie here just considering a retirement rv.
I have read about people removing rivets as described but no one seems to try drilling them out. Is there a reason for that?
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Old 06-28-2018, 07:42 PM   #78
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragon's Cross View Post
Newbie here just considering a retirement rv.
I have read about people removing rivets as described but no one seems to try drilling them out. Is there a reason for that?
Many of the rivets are closed end, so you need to pop a point somehow into each one to start a drill. It's not that it's hard to drill them out, it's just that there are a couple thousand of them and it's very time consuming removing them with a drill. It's just faster with an air chisel and a sharp chisel to minimize the time. I have over 100 rivets to remove on the outside rear cap base, I'm not looking forward to that job.
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Old 06-29-2018, 05:50 AM   #79
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Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
Many of the rivets are closed end, so you need to pop a point somehow into each one to start a drill. It's not that it's hard to drill them out, it's just that there are a couple thousand of them and it's very time consuming removing them with a drill. It's just faster with an air chisel and a sharp chisel to minimize the time. I have over 100 rivets to remove on the outside rear cap base, I'm not looking forward to that job.
Thanks for the info
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Old 06-29-2018, 08:39 AM   #80
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fp42583 View Post
There are 550 rivets. 10 rows with 55 rivets in each panel. I keep telling myself to remember the end product[emoji1]
Wow that's sooooo much work, I'm really glad my Thomas has screws holding the ceiling up
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