Thomas Followed Me Home Today

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Sounds like a pretty good deal at today's prices!
How "not flat" are the 4x8's? If not bent too sharply they should be fine.

Really? I don't keep up but I that was a bit pricey.

His
8x4 2 @ $50
10x4 1 @ $60
$200

Mine (not sure which was the 5 and which was the 6)
8x4 5pcs/6pcs
10x4 6pcs/5pcs
$560

Either way I bought mine last year.

[EastCoastCB]

You bought way more and last year steel was MUCH cheaper.

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

Yand last year steel was MUCH cheaper.

I finally done something right? Yay!!

Now I just need to find some Dodge scissor jacks and get this sucker leveled so I can cut the top off.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Brewerbob

I finally done something right? Yay!!

Now I just need to find some Dodge scissor jacks and get this sucker leveled so I can cut the top off.

IDk, just use some all-thread.

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

IDk, just use some all-thread.

No no; that I've got. I want the scissor jacks for leveling the bus. The Dodge jacks have a bolt head instead of that damn annoying loop. I can use a ratchet or air gun on it. If I don't lift the bus (which I don't plan on doing), I can torque them all to the same value so there won't be any sagging.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by Brewerbob

No no; that I've got. I want the scissor jacks for leveling the bus. The Dodge jacks have a bolt head instead of that damn annoying loop. I can use a ratchet or air gun on it. If I don't lift the bus (which I don't plan on doing), I can torque them all to the same value so there won't be any sagging.

$20 bottle jacks did a fantastic job leveling mine. I didn't lift my bus, just jacked it in various points till it was as level as we could get it.

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

$20 bottle jacks did a fantastic job leveling mine. I didn't lift my bus, just jacked it in various points till it was as level as we could get it.

The jacks are $7 so instead of using blocks of wood (which I'd have to find/buy) I'm thinking of using just the jacks. I've got a few cinderblocks to get them up high enough. Then I don't have to use wedges or anything like that.

[Twigg]

So what do you do when your air-nibbler decides to nibble no more?

You stick a cutting disk on the angle-grinder, is what you do, and follow the lines.

Four pieces to cover ten windows now cut to size:

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by Twigg

So what do you do when your air-nibbler decides to nibble no more?

You stick a cutting disk on the angle-grinder, is what you do, and follow the lines.

Is the nibbler any easier? I have both. What I think I'm going to do is clamp my 7 foot level to the sheet and use it as a fence to run the angle grinder along. But no reason I couldn't do the same and use the nibbler.

Nice cat.

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by Brewerbob

Is the nibbler any easier? I have both. What I think I'm going to do is clamp my 7 foot level to the sheet and use it as a fence to run the angle grinder along. But no reason I couldn't do the same and use the nibbler.

Nice cat.

The nibbler gives a clean edge and can be run along a fence. It's a bit slower than the cutting disk but the resulting edge is better. Needs a big compressor.

No good if the cutter breaks and replacements are made of unobtanium.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

Originally Posted by Brewerbob

The jacks are $7 so instead of using blocks of wood (which I'd have to find/buy) I'm thinking of using just the jacks. I've got a few cinderblocks to get them up high enough. Then I don't have to use wedges or anything like that.

Be careful with the cinder blocks.
They can and will break and crack very easily

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by Twigg

The nibbler gives a clean edge and can be run along a fence. It's a bit slower than the cutting disk but the resulting edge is better. Needs a big compressor.

No good if the cutter breaks and replacements are made of unobtanium.

Mine is a Horrible Freight special.

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by Brewerbob

Mine is a Horrible Freight special.

I've never had a bad HF tool yet. They don't make tools, so it will depend on who they bought it from.

They are pretty simple devices, so if the cutters are available it should be fine.

Mine was Campbell Hausfeld, and they discontinued it with, seemingly, no consumables available. It's possible that the cutter from another brand would fit it.

While on the subject of Harbor Freight. I'm about to drop $700 on their Predator 3500 Inverter Generator. I've watched dozens of videos, read loads of reviews and it's getting harder to see how Honda justify $2000 for what amounts to the same thing.

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223

Be careful with the cinder blocks.
They can and will break and crack very easily

Cinderblocks' strength is in compression. That said, I'm going to get some plywood for "footers" and have the blocks positioned the same way they are in a wall.

Also, I'm not lifting the bus off the ground. Worst case I'll have the suspension slack.

[cadillackid]

those HF bottle jacks ROCK!! get some of those to level off the 4 corners.. when I was doing my trans last year I had those stay up for a couple weeks without deflating... im thinking we had a couople under EC's bus that held solidly too when we cut his top off
-Christopher

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

those HF bottle jacks ROCK!! get some of those to level off the 4 corners.. when I was doing my trans last year I had those stay up for a couple weeks without deflating... im thinking we had a couople under EC's bus that held solidly too when we cut his top off
-Christopher

I have a 6 ton bottle and a shop jack. I had another smaller bottle jack somewhere but I haven't seen it in years. I also have a set of jack stands that are 6 or 10 ton. I need to see how tall they are in comparison to the frame rail.

In the perfect world, I'd have the bus on concrete and in the air on a dozen jack stands but then I wouldn't be able to blame the crooked sheet metal on setup.

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by Twigg

While on the subject of Harbor Freight. I'm about to drop $700 on their Predator 3500 Inverter Generator. I've watched dozens of videos, read loads of reviews and it's getting harder to see how Honda justify $2000 for what amounts to the same thing.

I want a diesel genny. I'll be lucky to get away with $2000. Every once in awhile I check the auction sites and CL but not near often enough.

[weboughtabus]

Originally Posted by Twigg

I'm about to drop $700 on their Predator 3500 Inverter Generator. I've watched dozens of videos, read loads of reviews and it's getting harder to see how Honda justify $2000 for what amounts to the same thing.

I don't know your plans, but I've been looking at LPG/Dual Fuel/Tri Fuel conversions and came across this kit. It doesn't specify which models it's compatible with, but the Predator 3500 has a 212cc engine. I've reached out to VPower and can let you know if it's a match, if you're interested.

EDIT:

Just got a response - no dice.

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by weboughtabus

I don't know your plans, but I've been looking at LPG/Dual Fuel/Tri Fuel conversions and came across this kit. It doesn't specify which models it's compatible with, but the Predator 3500 has a 212cc engine. I've reached out to VPower and can let you know if it's a match, if you're interested.

EDIT:

Just got a response - no dice.

Well, I guess my slow ass internet gave you a chance to update.

I've seen gasoline and LP. I know you can convert LP and CNG. I have NOT seen anything paired with diesel. Or more likely nothing "worth" remembering. What I'd really like is duel fuel being gasoline or diesel.

Some of the fancy hiking stoves will burn gasoline, white fuel, or diesel but all they are trying to do is make heat with fire.

Anywho, I'm a LONG LONG way away from doing anything electrical so if you do find something and think to remember, give me an update.

[weboughtabus]

Originally Posted by Brewerbob

Well, I guess my slow ass internet gave you a chance to update.

I've seen gasoline and LP. I know you can convert LP and CNG. I have NOT seen anything paired with diesel. Or more likely nothing "worth" remembering. What I'd really like is duel fuel being gasoline or diesel.

Some of the fancy hiking stoves will burn gasoline, white fuel, or diesel but all they are trying to do is make heat with fire.

Anywho, I'm a LONG LONG way away from doing anything electrical so if you do find something and think to remember, give me an update.

I'll happily keep an eye out for something along those lines. I'm planning to carry LPG for cooking, so to me it's more sensible to run off of LPG than gasoline so I don't have to tote three different fuels. If I could find a small, quiet, reasonably-priced diesel generator, I might change my mind, but my I can't find a genie in any of the lamps I rub.