4 Curious Georges' 2001 Saf-T-Liner

[oredigger]

That looks awesome! I'm really loving your build.

If it's the dual fuel version, I just bought that same generator.

[weboughtabus]

Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07

OK so some fun progress to report:

The next sequence of pictures shows the assembly of the sled and frame that I made and doing a test install of everything into the bus.

Next thing will be pull everything back out, paint everything, and put it back in with heavier duty hardware. Overall I’m pretty encouraged by the way it turned out and think it’s going to work well!

I’ll have a rocker switch inside the bus that I can use to open and close the drawer.

Originally Posted by oredigger

That looks awesome! I'm really loving your build.

If it's the dual fuel version, I just bought that same generator.

I'm thinking of getting a Champion Dual Fuel generator for my rig. How do you like yours? What's the running volume like?

[david.dgeorge07]

Originally Posted by oredigger

That looks awesome! I'm really loving your build.



If it's the dual fuel version, I just bought that same generator.

Mine is not the dual fuel version. I just about purchases that one but two things cause me to change my mind. First I researched the relative cost of running on gasoline versus propane and propane is significantly more expensive. The other reason is that I found this model with a remote start option which seems like it would be really nice at times. Overall they’re very similar generators and I think the dual fuel one is really nice I just decided not to get it essentially because I didn’t think I would use the propane options unless I really had to.

[david.dgeorge07]

Originally Posted by weboughtabus

I'm thinking of getting a Champion Dual Fuel generator for my rig. How do you like yours? What's the running volume like?

Mine is the gas only version, but I think they’re more or less the same generator just with a different intake design.

As far as volume if you’ve ever used a standard put put type generator I find those to be super annoyingly loud to the point that it’s not worth running them if you have to be close by them and what you’re running them for is a matter of comfort.

With this one you’re not going to forget that it’s running (because you’ll hear it) but it’s more of a background noise than it is something up in your face like a chainsaw engine.

If I remember correctly the specification for noise on this one is somewhere in the 50s for dB.

[oredigger]

Originally Posted by weboughtabus

I'm thinking of getting a Champion Dual Fuel generator for my rig. How do you like yours? What's the running volume like?

I've only used it once, to light our backyard wedding reception, and I was in no condition to pay attention to the generator. Maybe David has some more experience with it. We got ours at Costco. Here's the link https://www.championpowerequipment.c...fuel-inverter/

[david.dgeorge07]

My wife got into the bus building action last night by taking some of the foam that came from the original bus seats and trimmed them and glued them together to make a mattress.

They’ll be covered with a mattress topper but they’re pretty comfy already and cost basically nothing!

[david.dgeorge07]

That’s a relief! My shower pan came in and it appears to fit!

[dbhost]

Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07

My wife got into the bus building action last night by taking some of the foam that came from the original bus seats and trimmed them and glued them together to make a mattress.

They’ll be covered with a mattress topper but they’re pretty comfy already and cost basically nothing!

What sort of glue can you use for that? Since you have, or at least have had LOTS of those seats, why not double up the thickness for a cushier mattress?

[dbhost]

Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07

Finally circling back to the kitchen.

Not bad for a freehand router cut! Never tried something like this before and was nerve racking!



With roundover bit.



With faucet added.

Nice work. How are you going to protect the wood from the water on those exposed edges though?

[david.dgeorge07]

Originally Posted by dbhost

Nice work. How are you going to protect the wood from the water on those exposed edges though?

Planning a polymer sealer.

[david.dgeorge07]

Originally Posted by dbhost

What sort of glue can you use for that? Since you have, or at least have had LOTS of those seats, why not double up the thickness for a cushier mattress?

I do have LOTS! My wife is the one that did the research but I think she found some sort of a write up online about how to do this or something similar using spray mount gorilla glue.

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07

I do have LOTS! My wife is the one that did the research but I think she found some sort of a write up online about how to do this or something similar using spray mount gorilla glue.

There are spray glues specifically for foam ... and upholstery supplier or foam supplier will have them. They do not let go.

[ben2go]

I use 3M Super 77 spray glue to glue foam.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-21210-Supe...00df3164f66755

[david.dgeorge07]

I was out of town for a few days, but got home this morning after riding a bus all night.

I made some progress on the genny drawer.

1. I made guides to help it stay in place when hitting bumps or hard braking etc.

2. I fabbed up the front, making it possible to attach the old skirt panel.

3. I adjusted the support frame to square it up with the frame rails and skirt.

4. Replaced all the self drillers with grade 8 bolts and nuts.

5. Took it all apart ant primed/painted it.

Still need to:

Wire up servo motor. Run power cord for service. Install exhaust vent. Make drawer floor. Final fit and finish.

[Dave in Tucson]

Originally Posted by ben2go

I use 3M Super 77 spray glue to glue foam.

https://www.amazon.com/3M-21210-Supe...00df3164f66755

I work in the aircraft industry, and I will give a second thumbs up to the 3M 77 spray adhesive, really great stuff. Used as trim adhesive in aircraft.
Of course, I just go get a can from the tool crib, and don't pay Amazon's price!

[dbhost]

Originally Posted by Dave in Tucson

I work in the aircraft industry, and I will give a second thumbs up to the 3M 77 spray adhesive, really great stuff. Used as trim adhesive in aircraft.
Of course, I just go get a can from the tool crib, and don't pay Amazon's price!

I think I got my last few cans of 3M Super 77 at Harbor Freight. That stuff is awesome for bonding fabrics to metal or wood! However it gets everywhere, and in your arm hair as you work with it. I would HIGHLY recommend wearing a painters suit and respirator when working with it.

I never would have thought to use it for bonding foam to foam... Probably make for a bomb proof bond.

[dbhost]

Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07

I was out of town for a few days, but got home this morning after riding a bus all night.

I made some progress on the genny drawer.

1. I made guides to help it stay in place when hitting bumps or hard braking etc.

2. I fabbed up the front, making it possible to attach the old skirt panel.

3. I adjusted the support frame to square it up with the frame rails and skirt.

4. Replaced all the self drillers with grade 8 bolts and nuts.

5. Took it all apart ant primed/painted it.

Still need to:

Wire up servo motor. Run power cord for service. Install exhaust vent. Make drawer floor. Final fit and finish.


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I am officially jealous of your metalworking skills. I REALLY need to learn metalworking....

[david.dgeorge07]

Originally Posted by dbhost

I am officially jealous of your metalworking skills. I REALLY need to learn metalworking....

Thanks! But to be honestly I’m sure you would do fine. If you have an angle grinder, a drill with sharp bits, and access to a MIG welder you would be able to do everything I have done.

MIG welding with 1/8” or thicker stock is very forgiving. With practice you can make pretty welds, but most can make strong welds quickly after starting.

[dbhost]

Originally Posted by david.dgeorge07

Thanks! But to be honestly I’m sure you would do fine. If you have an angle grinder, a drill with sharp bits, and access to a MIG welder you would be able to do everything I have done.

MIG welding with 1/8” or thicker stock is very forgiving. With practice you can make pretty welds, but most can make strong welds quickly after starting.

Funny you should mention those items...

I do have a MIG, I have never used it but I picked up a used Chicago Electric Mig welder like this one here.... (neighbor had it and was upgrading, wanted to get rid of it and sold it to me cheap...).

https://www.harborfreight.com/170-amp-dc-240-volt-migflux-cored-welder-68885.html


The angle grinder is a B&D from about 20 years ago that I have used to clean up someone else's nasty welds, and trimming some metals that were in places they didn't need to be for me to install winches etc... Pile o junk that gets the job done...

Drill, bits, got those aplenty. Tend toward the TiN coated bits for longevity. What I need is a center punch. Mine grew feet and walked off...

[david.dgeorge07]

Originally Posted by dbhost

I think I got my last few cans of 3M Super 77 at Harbor Freight. That stuff is awesome for bonding fabrics to metal or wood! However it gets everywhere, and in your arm hair as you work with it. I would HIGHLY recommend wearing a painters suit and respirator when working with it.

I never would have thought to use it for bonding foam to foam... Probably make for a bomb proof bond.

Good tip! I think that may have been what I used when I replaced the headliner in my jeep a couple years ago. (Came in a lot) It hasn’t come down!