Stella The Skoolie Build

[Tammy1029]

Hope this is the right place for my build diary. I know I'm going to have a bazillion questions but I promise to search for the topic first.

[gs1949]

That looks like a good place to start. Welcome to the forum.

[Gustav]

Welcome to the madness. Enjoy!!

[Tammy1029]

The first 15 came out easy peasy but the last 7 had an extra nut that was too close to an angled leg to get the ratchet on. I had to face my fear of the grinder and cut those bad boys off.

[gs1949]

Good for you, I think it's all about challenging boundaries, especially self-imposed boundaries.

[Tammy1029]

Originally Posted by gs1949

Good for you, I think it's all about challenging boundaries, especially self-imposed boundaries.

Self imposed is correct. My next fear is over coming a circular saw. Jig saw, scroll saw, sawsall, I’m totally fine with. Just something about seeing so many posts about accidents with them has me freaking out. If I could get HD to make all the cuts I’d be thrilled. Lol.

[gs1949]

Well, now you have the new attitude. You just need to practice and strengthen it.

I'm working on strengthening my attitude too. But in my case it's really not a new attitude. There was a time I never hesitated to taken on a new project just because it meant I had to use sharp tools and learn new skills.

But during those earlier times I was always pretty far from turning 70. Now I have a few weeks to go. So that's the attitude I have to replace, and I do feel younger or at least better since I started this bus project.

[Ronnie]

Originally Posted by Tammy1029

Self imposed is correct. My next fear is over coming a circular saw. Jig saw, scroll saw, sawsall, I’m totally fine with. Just something about seeing so many posts about accidents with them has me freaking out. If I could get HD to make all the cuts I’d be thrilled. Lol.

The heavier worm drive circular saws are less likely to kick back and because of the handle position if they do kick back they do not tend to come out of the cut and expose the blade to you. The high handle position on must modern circular saws can lead to it kicking right out from under you.

I have two worm drive "Skil" saws a 6" and an 8" .

[gs1949]

And the right blade for the job is often fairly critical.

[Tammy1029]

Had to take a couple of weeks off due to the excessive heat. 114-118 every stinking day! Question??? This is the foam from the seat bottoms. You know how people box in the wheel wells in the interior and then use spray foam or loose insulation for sound deadening? Would the foam from the seat bottoms work the same way? I’m trying to reuse whatever I can to save money and keep it out of the landfill. Even the plywood for odds and end use. Or a turtle house for my sisters turtle. 🐢 😂 Feels good to be back working on her.

[gs1949]

That kind of foam is not very good at sound deadening. There are several threads on this forum about sound deadening, and a lot of info on the web. So check those out.

Do you have any MLV, mass loaded vinyl, on your bus?

My Blue Bird had lots. That's what I will use on the wheel wells.

[Tammy1029]

Originally Posted by gs1949

That kind of foam is not very good at sound deadening. There are several threads on this forum about sound deadening, and a lot of info on the web. So check those out.

Do you have any MLV, mass loaded vinyl, on your bus?

My Blue Bird had lots. That's what I will use on the wheel wells.

Thank you! I don’t think I have any MLV. I’ve seen several threads about the wheel wells but thought I’d throw this out there. Especially since I have 22 seat bottoms. 😂

[gs1949]

MLV comes in different colors and textures, but it's all heavy, 1 lb per sq ft is common, and the weight is more noticeable when it's rolled up.

[Tammy1029]

Got it! Now I know what you’re talking about. No, I don’t have any of that.

[gs1949]

I think you do have some. I just went and played in my scrap pile for a couple of minutes. I have some stuff I took out of the center aisle that looks very much like what I see in your photos.

I didn't totally understand when I took it out, but now I am quite sure that the ribbed stuff in the middle is MLV, but it's not the standard 1 lb per sq ft. They want it tougher to take the wear of all the little feet shufflin' off to school. So that part is lighter, 1/2 lb per sq ft.

So my advice would be, if you're planning on taking it up, don't throw it away, use that above the wheel wells

[Yukon Cornelius]

That seat foam is ok for making archery targets if you or someone you know is into archery.
Aside from that.....