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07-10-2019, 04:53 PM
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#1
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Grove Oklahoma
Posts: 27
Year: 1997
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: Flat Nose 40 Footer
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 85
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Fastest, Cheapest, best quality bus build if your in the right location!
So how can I make such a claim? Lucky, I guess. I happen to live close to one of the warehouses operated by "Fast Track Auctions" or "BidFTA.COM". My location I use is in Rogers Arkansas. This is a auction service that handles all of the returns, damaged or open boxes that these major retailers use to liquidate such merchandise. WALMART, LOWES, HOME DEPOT, WAYFAIR, AMAZON and several others to name a few. I purchased my 97 Bluebird 40' FE Flat nose in January of this year (2019) for $2,600. Had only 124,000 miles on it and drives like a dream. After doing the demolition, seats, heaters, etc., I started monitoring this site and was amazed at the bargains I was able to purchase for pennies on the dollar. $300 granite sinks for $20, Walnut T&G Flooring $.50 per foot, $300 Faucet $18, $260 water heater for $20. The list goes on and on and I'll be providing a complete list of all the items I've purchased for my build including their list price and the price I've paid. $1,500 vanity for $25! Projection screens for $5! Shades and 2" wood blinds for pennies! New leather padded bar stools $15, list for $250! Unreal and again only if you live in the general vicinity of one of their few dozen warehouses around the country.
You can watch my build at the website of my company, TheOaksmith.Com and click on my bus'es name the "TheNoRush" bus. I look forward to having my build done in a few more months and will be sharing more with you all as I go along. I just wanted to save you all some money where possible. I've purchased some pretty high end stuff so far and saved me a ton of labor by buying nice cabinets, shower doors, pumps, sinks, faucets, shades and other basic needs for a good conversion.
I'll be doing some very creative things with my skoolie and I encourage you to keep in touch with the build. I enjoy this site and all the members in it.
Hope this helps! Here is their link: https://www.bidfta.com/home
__________________
Dennis Carey
The "NoRushBus"
TheOaksmith.Com
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07-10-2019, 04:58 PM
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#2
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,089
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
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Sounds like it just might be helpful.
Could you include their link, while you're still in the timeframe to edit your post?
(Tap n go is much easier when using a cell fon...)
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
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07-10-2019, 05:09 PM
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#3
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Grove Oklahoma
Posts: 27
Year: 1997
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: Flat Nose 40 Footer
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 85
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Thanks for asking. I added it. If I was going to build skoolies for a living, I'd move close to one of these locations. I purchased 125 sheets of new white v-groove wainscoting that Lowes has for $14 each and I paid $64 dollars for all of them. Pretty cool! I have many more examples I'll add later in my posts.
I forgot to add the link to my bus, here it is: Watch the building of our "Skoolie"
__________________
Dennis Carey
The "NoRushBus"
TheOaksmith.Com
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07-10-2019, 05:27 PM
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#4
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,089
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
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Thanx! I'll check it out, right after this reply.
What caught my eye in particular was the walnut Tongue & Groove.
I've been using pine TnG in my build (damn sight more'n $0.5/linear from Lowes), after staining it a light walnut...
D'oh!!!
How heinous are their S&H charges?
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
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07-10-2019, 05:34 PM
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#5
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Grove Oklahoma
Posts: 27
Year: 1997
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: Flat Nose 40 Footer
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 85
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So patience is a virtue with this site. One day it's King size memory foam mattresses for $50 and the next day it's a 1,000 sq ft of Walnut T&G flooring new in the boxes on a pallet! I bought the whole pallet of 37 boxes for $410! I've done the floor the ceiling and have about 300 plus feet left to possible do my counter tops and maybe some on the walls. Seriously, don't get discouraged with the small things listed and the bargains will appear and you need to be ready to pounce on them.
__________________
Dennis Carey
The "NoRushBus"
TheOaksmith.Com
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07-10-2019, 07:21 PM
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#6
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Bus Nut
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Philadelpiha Pennsylvania
Posts: 397
Year: 2007
Coachwork: IC
Chassis: FE Bus
Engine: DT-466 7.6L Turbo Diesel
Rated Cap: 77
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Do you have to pick up at the location or do they ship.
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07-10-2019, 07:28 PM
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#7
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Grove Oklahoma
Posts: 27
Year: 1997
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: Flat Nose 40 Footer
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 85
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So it occurred to me that I addressed the "Cheap" part of the bus build so now lets talk about the "Fast" part. If you look at my bus on my website, I don't have a weeks word in it. I've seen others take four months to get that far sadly.
This is where I'll rub some people's fur backwards but I'd ask you to use common sense as well as be realistic about building a Skoolie. Before my current semi-retired job of being a handyman in a terrific market area that allows me to work and play as I wish, I was a Tooling and Application Engineer for the Metalworking Industry. I worked for the largest provider of such services in the world called Sandvik Coromant. My job was to analyze processes and recommend solutions to increase production and decrease costs, usually reducing cycle times which is where the money is made. So saving time is my thing while improving or maintaining quality. So that said, lets build a bus. Maybe not a perfect bus but the one you signed on for.
Ask yourself a few questions.
(1)How much do I want to spend on my bus?
(2)How long to I want to take to convert it?
(3)Am I going to drive around the USA and see the sites or just downsize into a very affordable tiny home and just move it occasionally?
(4)Am I looking to sell it in a few years once I've had my fun?
The answers here make a difference and here's why. You can Rip, strip, and clip your bus all you want to try to make it a brand new vehicle but it's still going to be an old bus. You won't have it 30 years later, you won't have it 20 years later, and if you still have it 10 years later you'll be in the top 5% of skoolie owners and not sure if that gives you bragging rights or not. Who will buy your 40 year old 400,00 mile bus? A scrap yard more than likely or your out of work nephew for a couple thousand dollars (if you let him make payments). Look at the people on YouTube already trying to sell their buses. They've got $25-35K in them and are just hoping to get even some of their money back. Breaks my heart and takes all the fun out of it if you ask me.
So here's the deal. You want your bus now, and you want to enjoy all the cool things about it as quick as possible, meaning build it in a few weeks or months instead of a year or two (which by then your neighbors are wanting to set it on fire). So here's the fast track method. Buy a reasonably good bus not rusted clear through and fraught with mechanical issues, engine, transmission, etc. Remove the seats using a cutoff wheel and angle grinder (this is still the best method I've seen to date). Should take you a day's work if your persistent. Won't be fun but it's the hardest part of the build.
DON'T pull up your floor or tare down your perfectly good metal ceiling! The bus is insulated to factory specs and replacing it won't gain you but 4 or 5 points R-Value wise. People brag about foams and bat insulation all day long but no-one can or will show you significantly reduced utility bills given the loss through there windows. Lay your sub-floor over the rubber membrane that acts as a moisture barrier already and then lay "true tongue and groove" laminate flooring, "NOT Click Lock". Click lock takes twice as long and you'll be done in one day! Staple every 3 rows and you'll be good.
The ceiling will be either painted or in my case, lay the same T&G Flooring using self-tapping metal screws (black painted heads) to attach it. Install the screws as you lay the planks but put them about 2-3 inches to the left or right of the main braces that are spaced about 28" apart. Keep them in line for a cool look. This eliminates the whole "questionable" thermal bridging issue. To this day I've never seen a video of the rainfall of drips that others claim you'll have. but installing the screws away from the braces is easier anyway. You'll finish the ceiling in another full days work. I'm building my bus completely solo so if you have help you'll go even faster.
Now for the walls. Leave them alone during the demo phase and put vertical (2x4) furring strips every 24" down the wall. This lets you easily install 4' wide panel pieces or wainscoting using a air stapler or finish nailer. You put 1 1/2" thick foam board insulation in between the furring strips, cutting them with a bread knife works great! Put 2x4 pieces over the vertical window frames and attach them by drilling a 1/2" hole about 3/4 the way through using a "Paddle bit". This leaves a small pilot hole and clearance for the same Metal Self-Tapping Screws you used on the ceiling. Three of them should hold nicely. Plug the holes with 1/2" wood dowels and cut them off flush with the 2x4. Sand and paint and your done. The trickiest part is adding a 3/4" x 4" pine ledge which you'll cut notches in to go around your aluminum vertical window frame pieces prier to your wood 2x4 vertical pieces.
So here you are now, you got a beautiful bus with awesome floor, ceiling and walls. The rest is up to you. Decorate as you wish and use the auction site I mentioned if you can. Don't stress out. It's supposed to be fun!
Best of luck to you all!
Not trying to start trouble here with design die-hards, just looking to take a load of some stressed out newbies. Everyone is different and so should their bus be.
__________________
Dennis Carey
The "NoRushBus"
TheOaksmith.Com
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07-10-2019, 07:47 PM
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#8
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Grove Oklahoma
Posts: 27
Year: 1997
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: Flat Nose 40 Footer
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 85
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Not sure about the shipping. I always pick my stuff up but I'm only an hour away. The plus about picking it up is you get to see it up close and if it's not what you wanted you can always just leave it there. Some times the item may be damaged in a way you don't like or not be what you thought it was. It happens but I've been pretty lucky so far and I view the pictures closely and read ALL the fine print such as "missing box 1 of 3" or "table top only", "Appears New", "Open Box", etc. These things are always buyer beware of course but it's well worth it I promise. I'll be doing a tour when I'm finished with my build and I'll point out what I paid for everything verses what it lists for.
It gets pretty addictive. Like a kid in a candy store!
__________________
Dennis Carey
The "NoRushBus"
TheOaksmith.Com
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07-10-2019, 08:14 PM
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#9
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,089
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
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I appreciate your take on how you're building out your bus. I'm taking a different route, and am a notorious dawdler, but I believe your essay will give a contrasting direction for the Noobs to consider.
As to the auction: Nearest one to me is 3+ hours away, in Dallas. I didn't see anywhere that shipping was an option. Bummer.
Don't reckon I'd do to well trying to transpo a pallet load of TnG in my New Beetle toad! But hope others may find one of the many auction locations near enough to take advantage of. Thanx for the head's up! [emoji106]
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
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07-10-2019, 08:54 PM
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#10
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
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Got half way through and quite reading after all the bad advice. You are describing the sign in my shop. "We offer the following A-Quick Service
B-Quality Work
C-Cheap Prices
You can have 2 of the above.
Your job will be quicker because you are forfitting some of the most important steps to building a livable Skoolie. I see you're set in your plan so I won't even explain how wrong you are.
What is your ETA for completion.
Your recommendations to noobs will surely heighten their stress level up the road. I'll take crap for it, but this is a good example how not to build a Skoolie that is livable.
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07-10-2019, 09:01 PM
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#11
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
Got half way through and quite reading after all the bad advice. You are describing the sign in my shop. "We offer the following A-Quick Service
B-Quality Work
C-Cheap Prices
You can have 2 of the above.
Your job will be quicker because you are forfitting some of the most important steps to building a livable Skoolie. I see you're set in your plan so I won't even explain how wrong you are.
What is your ETA for completion.
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I respectfully disagree. He is building a Skoolie that is livable - *FOR HIM*. Is this for everyone? Obviously not. Some will want/need to remove the plywood/rubber for floor inspection/repair as needed. Some will need better insulation and thermal isolation than others. Some will want to remove and plate over windows - and a few will want to replace with RV style windows. In my view, there's no wrong way to build a Skoolie, there is only wrong ways for the intended use and end user(s).
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07-10-2019, 09:02 PM
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#12
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Grove Oklahoma
Posts: 27
Year: 1997
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: Flat Nose 40 Footer
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 85
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That's a bummer. I'm hoping that some will be able to benefit or even some professional builders. Might keep costs down down and kick up the interior designs a bit. The builds today seem to be following the same floor plans out of convenience and having to build their own cabinets and shelves to save money. Just wanting to give a few people some other options.
Hope you find what you need somewhere out there. Good luck to you.
__________________
Dennis Carey
The "NoRushBus"
TheOaksmith.Com
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07-10-2019, 09:04 PM
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#13
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,245
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
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NRB, interesting post--lots of ways to skin a cat!
I'm particularly stoked that within a few short months I will be in the top 5% of Skoolies as I will have had my bus 10 years. I also had a 40' MCI for a year or so during that time--does that count? Just kidding. I'm glad to see another variation on the build theme. Keep us posted here on Skollie.net as this is where most of us go for skoolie tales.
Jack
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07-10-2019, 09:15 PM
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#14
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Grove Oklahoma
Posts: 27
Year: 1997
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: Flat Nose 40 Footer
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 85
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Hey I'm right behind you at least in spirit. I'm building mine to live in full time but it'll be parked by the lake 90% of the time. I'm drawing my Social Security in another couple of years and then I will see where she takes me. Bet you've had some great times in yours no doubt and it would be tough to part with I'm sure.
I don't mean to give a negative view on those who are committed to the cause. I'm impressed and respectful of their accomplishment. Just that most people buy into the fantasy of it but lack the courage or resources to get behind the dream full time. It can be scary for some. Thanks for the comments and look forward to more discussion down the road (pardon the pun).
__________________
Dennis Carey
The "NoRushBus"
TheOaksmith.Com
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07-11-2019, 08:25 AM
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#15
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Mini-Skoolie
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Grove Oklahoma
Posts: 27
Year: 1997
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: Flat Nose 40 Footer
Engine: 5.9 Cummins
Rated Cap: 85
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Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc
Got half way through and quite reading....
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As I said,I'll rub some people's fur backwards by providing newbies a clear path to building a skoolie they can be proud of and afford. I don't think I'd have my vehicle serviced by a mechanic who only reads half of the repair manual and then wings it. Sorry.
So my floor won't ever fall through in my lifetime, my ceiling will never leak once the coating is applied to the exterior, my walls may or may not be 5 degrees hotter or colder but spending another $5 a month for utilities is not a problem for me or anyone else for that matter.
I leave you with this challenge. "Show us the money"! Prove your cost savings with utility bills before and after your over-the-top repairs. Show me true "resale values" of skoolie builds by you or others compared to a build like mine. Show us dripping ceilings, floors where the owners fell through them. Need I go on? If you are just going to give an opinion, I wouldn't bother. The forum is full of them.
Everything with Skoolies is controversial when you get down to it. Just read this article why NEVER to use Spray Foam Insulation in a metal structure and you'll see my point. Of course you'll just say the author is wrong after reading just the intro of his technical document.
Here is the link: https://www.insulation4less.com/insu...RoC3_MQAvD_BwE
Watch and learn with the progress of my build and the best parts are coming. Getting people into a fast, economical and high quality conversion is what's taking place here whether you can grasp the concept or not.
My completion date is tentatively expected to be around 3-4 months from now but that's only because of my busy work schedule. I'd be finished in 30 days if I could take the time off.
Wishing ALL builders a successful conversion.
Best Regards,
__________________
Dennis Carey
The "NoRushBus"
TheOaksmith.Com
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07-11-2019, 10:47 AM
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#16
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,402
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NoRushBus
As I said,I'll rub some people's fur backwards by providing newbies a clear path to building a skoolie they can be proud of and afford. I don't think I'd have my vehicle serviced by a mechanic who only reads half of the repair manual and then wings it. Sorry.
So my floor won't ever fall through in my lifetime, my ceiling will never leak once the coating is applied to the exterior, my walls may or may not be 5 degrees hotter or colder but spending another $5 a month for utilities is not a problem for me or anyone else for that matter.
I leave you with this challenge. "Show us the money"! Prove your cost savings with utility bills before and after your over-the-top repairs. Show me true "resale values" of skoolie builds by you or others compared to a build like mine. Show us dripping ceilings, floors where the owners fell through them. Need I go on? If you are just going to give an opinion, I wouldn't bother. The forum is full of them.
Everything with Skoolies is controversial when you get down to it. Just read this article why NEVER to use Spray Foam Insulation in a metal structure and you'll see my point. Of course you'll just say the author is wrong after reading just the intro of his technical document.
Here is the link: https://www.insulation4less.com/insu...RoC3_MQAvD_BwE
Watch and learn with the progress of my build and the best parts are coming. Getting people into a fast, economical and high quality conversion is what's taking place here whether you can grasp the concept or not.
My completion date is tentatively expected to be around 3-4 months from now but that's only because of my busy work schedule. I'd be finished in 30 days if I could take the time off.
Wishing ALL builders a successful conversion.
Best Regards,
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Well..... There is the weekly link to Insulation4less......
Brings P. T. Barnum to mind.
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07-11-2019, 11:06 AM
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#17
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Bus Geek
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 7,030
Year: 2003
Coachwork: International
Chassis: CE 300
Engine: DT466e
Rated Cap: 65C-43A
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_SwiftFur
I respectfully disagree. He is building a Skoolie that is livable - *FOR HIM*. Is this for everyone? Obviously not.
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FWIW the guy started this by offering advice for other people.
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07-11-2019, 11:13 AM
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#18
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: E Central Tejas
Posts: 2,089
Year: 1998
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: IH 3800, 8 window
Engine: T444E w/ Spicer 5-speed MT
Rated Cap: I prefer broad-brims hats
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Quote:
Originally Posted by musigenesis
FWIW the guy started this by offering advice for other people.
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Yup. And advice is free for the taking. Not so free in the giving, given the expenditure of time and effort required to write the posting.
Advice is to be condidered, and either implemented or discarded at the opinionee's discretion regarding it's relevance and viability towards wants and needs.
If its a fit, it's a hit.
If it's wrong, move along...
__________________
Those who say that it cannot be done should not interrupt the people doing it.
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07-11-2019, 11:19 AM
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#19
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Bus Geek
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Eastern WA
Posts: 6,402
Year: 2002
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
Rated Cap: 72
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HazMatt
Yup. And advice is free for the taking. Not so free in the giving, given the expenditure of time and effort required to write the posting.
Advice is to be condidered, and either implemented or discarded at the opinionee's discretion regarding it's relevance and viability towards wants and needs.
If its a fit, it's a hit.
If it's wrong, move along...
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I see your point.
Another consideration is making an effort to protect newbies from bad advice. I think it is fine to have opposing opinions expressed.
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07-11-2019, 11:50 AM
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#20
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Bus Crazy
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 2,264
Year: 2001
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: IH
Engine: T444E
Rated Cap: 14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by musigenesis
FWIW the guy started this by offering advice for other people.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HazMatt
Yup. And advice is free for the taking. Not so free in the giving, given the expenditure of time and effort required to write the posting.
Advice is to be condidered, and either implemented or discarded at the opinionee's discretion regarding it's relevance and viability towards wants and needs.
If its a fit, it's a hit.
If it's wrong, move along...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PNW_Steve
I see your point.
Another consideration is making an effort to protect newbies from bad advice. I think it is fine to have opposing opinions expressed.
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I am of the mindset that there is no wrong way to build a Skoolie, but the most important thing is doing so while making educated decisions. This forum has no shortage of members who bought buses impulsively, only to find bad engines, undesirable transmissions, obsolete brakes, un-repairable rust, and a variety of other avoidable problems. Some have made mistakes that could have been avoided with some research and learning from other's mistakes (I cut this wire, now my bus won't start, or I spray foamed the walls and now 6 months later it's rusted out) ...
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