Doing The Stairs

[ComfortEagle]

I am finally getting around to finishing up the entry stairs. I was going thru my photos and thought I would share some pics (and links to the stuff I used)

These fist two pics were actually taken by the seller before I bought the bus. Looking at this pic now, the entry looks very narrow to me with the door folded in like that.


Although the Gillig’s pneumatic door was super cool and fun to open and close, I am happy with our decision to straighten the door and remove the air controls. The entry feels much bigger, and I can actually seal the door now.


For those who haven’t read my intro thread (link here) I took this pic in Nebraska while driving the bus back from Northern CA to the DC area. The pic was taken after this poor grouse smashed thru my windshield, bounced off the drivers side window, and wedged itself between my seat ant the side console; not very fun.


Fast forward to the present; here is what my stairs have looked like for quite a while. The stair box is welded up aluminum, uninsulated and with out the plywood, it is a bit flimsy?


I installed this Kilmat, acoustic sound insulation primarily to deaden the sound the aluminum makes and hopefully reduce road noise coming thru the stairs.


And here is where I am this morning. The stair treads, edge molding, and sweet peel and stick tiles came last night and are mocked up for the pic.


Before permanently installing everything I will be covering the stairs and sides with the same flooring used elsewhere in the bus.

[rossvtaylor]

Man, that looks fantastic! Our Phantoms were transits, so they have the lift there...which will complicate our beautification process a bit. But you've given me some great inspiration. You have a really nice bus and your work is fantastic.

[s2mikon]

Why are you still grousing about that darn bird?

[Danjo]

Did you at least get free dinner?

[musigenesis]

"Sire, the pheasants are revolting!"

[jonb8]

Thanks for the link on stair treads, I want to do some nice stair treads because it's the entrance and the first thing you will see.... but safety and sure footing is also a major concern. Our steps are kinda steep...

[TJones]

Fine work on the stairs!

I had a run in with a grouse the other day. They are like bricks with wings. Hopefully will get it fixed this week after an estimated $950 stimulus to the automotive repair economy. Gotta love all the gadgets they can pack into the body color, heated, auto darkening, blind spot detecting mirrors.

Ted

[musigenesis]

Originally Posted by TJones

Fine work on the stairs!

I had a run in with a grouse the other day. They are like bricks with wings. Hopefully will get it fixed this week after an estimated $950 stimulus to the automotive repair economy. Gotta love all the gadgets they can pack into the body color, heated, auto darkening, blind spot detecting mirrors.

Ted

Is there some kind of spike in the grouse population going on right now? Shortage of shotgun ammo, maybe?

[ComfortEagle]

Originally Posted by rossvtaylor

Man, that looks fantastic! Our Phantoms were transits, so they have the lift there...which will complicate our beautification process a bit. But you've given me some great inspiration. You have a really nice bus and your work is fantastic.

Your comments are inspiring to me. Thanks Ross.

Originally Posted by s2mikon

Why are you still grousing about that darn bird?

Originally Posted by Danjo

Did you at least get free dinner?

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Is there some kind of spike in the grouse population going on right now? Shortage of shotgun ammo, maybe?

Three years later and that grouse is still stealing the spotlight...

Originally Posted by TJones

Fine work on the stairs! I had a run in with a grouse the other day. They are like bricks with wings. Hopefully will get it fixed this week after an estimated $950 stimulus...

Thanks Ted. “bricks with wings” is a perfect description, and “...an estimated $950 stimulus....” is hilarious, but not if you’re paying the stimulus.

Originally Posted by jonb8

Thanks for the link on stair treads, I want to do some nice stair treads because it's the entrance and the first thing you will see.... but safety and sure footing is also a major concern. Our steps are kinda steep...

Funny you should mention the stair treads. The SgtMaj (aka wife) doesn’t like them and wants me to install some “water hog” (-ish) mats instead. So, if you want a couple of rubber stair treads, PM me and I will send them your way.

Below is a pic of how far I got with finishing up those stairs today. The raw wood on the lower left and upper right will be removed, stained, poly’d, and reinstalled. I will also be installing the edge molding on the top edges, and now on the middle stair (since the boss wants mats...)


I will also be building a stair cover (cedar and tung oil) which will double as an entry stoop when we are parked.

[ComfortEagle]

Originally Posted by ComfortEagle

I will also be building a stair cover (cedar and tung oil) which will double as an entry stoop when we are parked.

While still a work on progress (like everything else on the bus), here is the stair cover, not a lot to it.

[johnbloem1974]

Do you have a picture of the underneath of the cover? I'd like to see how it's put together...

Thanks!

John

[ComfortEagle]

Originally Posted by johnbloem1974

Do you have a picture of the underneath of the cover? I'd like to see how it's put together...

I didn’t count, but I believe there are ~50 pocket holes/screws holding it together; I didn’t want any visible screws. A few years ago a fellow forum member and Gillig owner (thank you Justin @GilliganPhanton) enlightened me on the joys of the Kreg jig. I bought this one (Kreg R3), and recently upgraded to this one (Kreg K4). Awesome tools.

The dimensions of the base and the overlap of the top planks allow the cover to drop into the stair hole and stay put.


The cover rests on the top lip of the stairs and the added piece of wood on the righthand side.


The middle support is a piece of treated 2x4; I ran out of cedar...


Here is a pic of the cover in it’s final configuration, with the final of many coats of tung oil. The pile of oak scraps behind it will become countertops and a table for the bus (thanks to Robert @BBBus for the oak)

[johnbloem1974]

Wow!! That's some nice work. I have a Kreg jig too. Love that thing. Thanks for the detailed pics and explanations!! Really appreciate it.

John

[Meathead]

Your platform looks great. I would like to have one of those except what do I do with it on all of those ins and outs when you don’t use the platform? You know like the grocery store, restaurants, and stopping by a friends house. I think you will need another place for the platform.

I have seen ppl w a pallet. But where do they store it?
I’m not knocking your plan, I’m just thinking it through. I was thinking maybe build a slide under the bus?

Peace
Dave

[ComfortEagle]

Originally Posted by Meathead

Your platform looks great. I would like to have one of those except what do I do with it on all of those ins and outs when you don’t use the platform? You know like the grocery store, restaurants, and stopping by a friends house. I think you will need another place for the platform.

I have seen ppl w a pallet. But where do they store it?
I’m not knocking your plan, I’m just thinking it through. I was thinking maybe build a slide under the bus?

Dave, thank you for sharing your concerns.

For underway stops I am planning to put it here. It fits in the dashboard tray section near the door, and can be latched in place to the A-pillar.

If the cover starts getting on my nerves I could always banish it to the bay.

However, as we do not yet live on the bus, everything I say is notional (which of course means “made up”...). When (if) we get on the road, I may end up hating the thing and throwing it into a dumpster.

[TJones]

Or repurpose as an outdoor shower deck. It's too pretty to throw in the dumpster.

Ted

[Meathead]

Well crap! If I had that kinda storage, I wouldn’t have asked a silly question.

I do think it’s a great idea to have a muddy shoes platform. I hear ppl say it’s hard to keep their busses clean.

Since my storage doesn’t drop below the bottom rail as some do, I’m now thinking about welding some slide in compartments for specific things. Ladder, platform, and ??

Thanks for kick starting my brain!