Project:Otis

[humangoogle]

It was for a few projects when I was unable to fit the guard into
a tight spot and when using the wire cup as it didn't fit. Otherwise, safety first!

It's a good call-out though. Need to be a good example!

Originally Posted by BlackJohn

Nice to see your kids involved and learning. Is that angle grinder being used without the guard? That is something they should not do or will learn the hard way...just sayinn


John

[humangoogle]

Spent the better part of a week (evenings) getting the bus prepped for paint. Scuffed and sanded. Removed all of the vinyl lettering and most of the reflective tape/adhesive (we're planning on a few new signs that will cover most of the remaining adhesive.

Fun coincidence: The bus came from Grant county, Oregon. My son's name is Grant as well, so we had to get a picture!

[PAPA KIRK]

Wow brother your family is awesome beautiful job. Are you done with the conversion yet.

[CaptSquid]

Good that you have some lo-cost labour to help you. Just throw some hot dogs/burgers and fries in their general direction. That, and maybe put a roof over their heads.

[TJones]

GREAT PROGRESS! Its good to see the whole family working together on the project.

Ted

[WestCoastCarpenter]

Love seeing the process, good job.

[Rovobay]

Originally Posted by humangoogle

A small town near John Day (Mt. Vernon)

I love Mt Vernon, John Day, Dayville, I bet your drive home was beautiful. Drove thought the John Day Fossil beds I bet. nice progress!

[humangoogle]

Still in the throes of the conversion. I'll get a new update up soon.

Originally Posted by PAPA KIRK

Wow brother your family is awesome beautiful job. Are you done with the conversion yet.

[humangoogle]

Thanks Ted!

Originally Posted by TJones

GREAT PROGRESS! Its good to see the whole family working together on the project.

Ted

[humangoogle]

It was a indeed a beautiful drive. A bit nerve-wracking with the bus on a few of the narrow roads, but I made it

Originally Posted by Rovobay

I love Mt Vernon, John Day, Dayville, I bet your drive home was beautiful. Drove thought the John Day Fossil beds I bet. nice progress!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by humangoogle

It's all relative

The weather and scenery here are horrible out here. [That's our way of keeping everyone else from moving here!]

The weather isn't necessary. Your homeless problem is enough to keep us away.

[humangoogle]

I've been busy building, so this thread has languished while I've been making progress. My day job keeps me quite busy so progress on the bus is pretty much relegated to nights and weekends when the weather permits. Now, back to the updates!

After removing as much of the reflective tape and signage as possible, we washed the bus and masked it off for the spray job. Used Sher-Kem, thinned with Xylene and sprayed with my HVLP rig. Turned out about as good as I could have hoped given the conditions. Rolled the top with Henry's Tropicool and we were done.

[humangoogle]

Final product

[humangoogle]

My assistants helped mask the windows in preparation for the insulation. Also cleaned up some of the old wiring and ran the new circuits I needed for cameras, fans, and lighting. Because I planned on putting a tongue and groove ceiling up, I fir'd out the ribs so that I'd have something easy to work with after the insulation was up.

[humangoogle]

I knew the ceiling was going to be challenging, but I didn't realize just how much it would challenge me. I used 1x6 T&G Montana Beetlewood (also called beetle kill pine, or blue stained pine) planks. I've put in hardwood flooring in the past and this was pretty much like that, but upside down and on a curved surface. Thankfully, I had an extra set of hands when I needed them

All of the work was worth it. The ceiling remains one of my favorite parts of the bus to date.

[humangoogle]

We used polyurethane glue and screw to hold the ceiling in place and sill foam for a thermal break between the wood furring strips that were attached directly to the bus ribs. I cut holes for the ceiling lights as we went and installed them after enough of the rows were up. What a difference!

[humangoogle]

Next up was framing. Since my bus is a pusher, it seemed to make the most sense to put the largest bed, elevated over the engine shelf and the fresh water tank. In front of that are 4 bunks and then the bathroom and kitchen areas.

After roughing in the "rooms", I used ship-lap boards to cover the walls. So. Many. Cuts.

I could have made it easier on myself by not making the bathroom walls at a 45 degree angle, but I really like the extra space and the overall flow of the layout, so it was worth it in the end.

[humangoogle]

I thought about building cabinets, but decided against it in the end due to time constraints. Bought the cabinets and countertop at IKEA and ended up devising a mounting system that leveraged the existing rail, just upside down and elevated over the windows.

Because we wanted a larger sink, I had to modify the cabinets a bit, but it all worked out in the end.

[humangoogle]

Lots of little updates captured in these pictures. Used high quality 12ga extension cords for most of the 120v circuits since they're stranded and should survive the vibration better. Taught my oldest how to wire up switches and outlets.

Added beadboard to the side walls. I'll add a sill in the future to finish off the look.

Got the bunks to a more complete state. Added 12v reading lights to each bunk and built ladders for the upper bunks.

Upgraded the headlights from the abysmal sealed beam halogen to new LED units. Had to re-wire the circuits, but they are such an upgrade. highly recommended!

Also built 2 couches for the front, one of which pulls out into a queen-sized bed.

[humangoogle]

Progress was slowed a bit by multiple snow storms, but I kept plugging along.

• Added LED strip lights to the sides for additional lighting.
• WA state couldn't figure out how to value the bus for the switch to Motorhome on the title, so I went the Vermont route. So much easier.
• Added dimmers for the lights and multiple zones.
• Replaced the rear stop lights and turn signals with LED versions
• Flooring!
• Plumbing. Lots of Plumbing.
• Toe Kicks for the cabinets
• Rough fit the generator and heat pump into the forward bay.
• Lots of electrical work. Transfer Switch, Inverter, Generator Input, Shore Inlet, House Batteries, Battery Monitor, Etc.