Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 01-13-2018, 03:13 PM   #181
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Walls and ceilings, you are mine

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCN0919.jpg
Views:	16
Size:	185.2 KB
ID:	18466

__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2018, 03:51 PM   #182
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
When you're done you won't mind forgetting about that tool.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2018, 03:56 PM   #183
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin97396 View Post
When you're done you won't mind forgetting about that tool.
I tried two or three ceiling screws with my regular drill/driver. The bit slipped and they remained stuck fast. I have alternate methods but they involve a heavy hammer and an impact driver.

So I bought this Porter Cable Impact Driver. Every screw I have so far tried zipped out with almost no effort.

There are a lot of them, they won't take long
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2018, 04:32 PM   #184
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
Most of us aren't lucky enough to have screwed ceiling panels. Nice choice of tools though.

I like to do my framing with deck screws and I hear those hammer drills do that very well too.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2018, 04:54 PM   #185
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Picton,Ont, Can.
Posts: 1,956
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Cat 3116
Rated Cap: 72
Great tool there Steve..wow, that thumb is huge from tap shifting!
Wear eye protection doing that just in case. Tomorrow is my 12th anniversary of the day I lost my sight. Took 10 years to be back to normal.

John
__________________
Question everything!
BlackJohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2018, 05:24 PM   #186
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackJohn View Post
Great tool there Steve..wow, that thumb is huge from tap shifting!
Wear eye protection doing that just in case. Tomorrow is my 12th anniversary of the day I lost my sight. Took 10 years to be back to normal.

John
I think it is going to make a difficult job a lot easier.

I resist buying tools right up to the point where I decide I have a job, and that's the best tool for it.
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2018, 05:33 PM   #187
Bus Geek
 
EastCoastCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
Rated Cap: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin97396 View Post
Most of us aren't lucky enough to have screwed ceiling panels. Nice choice of tools though.

I like to do my framing with deck screws and I hear those hammer drills do that very well too.
I think later buses went more from rivets to screws.. My new bus has a lot less rivets than any of my previous and its the newest. Rivets are more expensive, and everything is built cheaper and cheaper all the time.
EastCoastCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-13-2018, 05:37 PM   #188
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastCoastCB View Post
I think later buses went more from rivets to screws.. My new bus has a lot less rivets than any of my previous and its the newest. Rivets are more expensive, and everything is built cheaper and cheaper all the time.
Thomas always used screws.

They do use some rivets on some of the external panels, but by and large they are screwed together.

That doesn't always mean the screws will come out but I've been lucky as there is so little rust on this one.
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2018, 12:22 PM   #189
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
This is why you buy a Thomas

Fifteen rows of screws and a bunch of fiddly bits ... Ha!

__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2018, 02:50 PM   #190
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Picton,Ont, Can.
Posts: 1,956
Year: 1997
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: GMC
Engine: Cat 3116
Rated Cap: 72
If you are finished take the tool back for a refund unless you want a full time job Steve!

John
__________________
Question everything!
BlackJohn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2018, 03:05 PM   #191
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackJohn View Post
If you are finished take the tool back for a refund unless you want a full time job Steve!

John
I already love that thing. I'm keeping it under my pillow. One of the toughest jobs (which is why so many don't bother) made easy.

Arms and shoulders ache though.
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2018, 06:31 PM   #192
Bus Geek
 
Tango's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 8,462
Year: 1946
Coachwork: Chevrolet/Wayne
Chassis: 1- 1/2 ton
Engine: Cummins 4BT
Rated Cap: 15
The really early iron (like mine) used nothing but big ass sheetmetal screws. Problem there is, after 70+ years...they don't want to un-screw. They are pretty much rust welded in place.
Tango is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2018, 06:37 PM   #193
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tango View Post
The really early iron (like mine) used nothing but big ass sheetmetal screws. Problem there is, after 70+ years...they don't want to un-screw. They are pretty much rust welded in place.
I have about six that refused to shift with the impact driver. They will be drilled out tomorrow.

It's a virtually rust-free bus. I have three panels down from the ceiling and the insulation out. The batts look brand new and the inner skin looks like it just rolled out of the factory. I am hoping it all looks like that
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2018, 06:53 PM   #194
Bus Geek
 
o1marc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Dawsonville, Ga.
Posts: 10,482
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Genesis
Chassis: International
Engine: DT466/3060
Rated Cap: 77
Quote:
Originally Posted by Twigg View Post
I have about six that refused to shift with the impact driver. They will be drilled out tomorrow.

It's a virtually rust-free bus. I have three panels down from the ceiling and the insulation out. The batts look brand new and the inner skin looks like it just rolled out of the factory. I am hoping it all looks like that
If there is insulation in the ceiling, is it insufficient for our needs?
o1marc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2018, 07:01 PM   #195
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by o1marc View Post
If there is insulation in the ceiling, is it insufficient for our needs?
Woefully

That's why it gets changed. Plus, batt insulation is not appropriate for vehicles. It breaks down under vibration and makes a great breeding ground for mold.
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-14-2018, 07:22 PM   #196
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
Most of us find mostly great looking insulation, but there's usually always one or two sections that are at least a little black and nasty. My ceiling was fine but I had a couple signs of black dust or mold beneath the windows.

Mine is a 20 year old vehicle and it's good to strip it down to get out all the boogers.
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2018, 12:47 PM   #197
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Thirteen ceiling panels are now out. All came out easily and I drilled only two screws. All the other screws that were being awkward just needed a new #2 bit.

There is zero sign of water ingress, even the emergency hatches are clean and sealed. I'm loving this bus. There will be some water damage behind a couple of the wall panels, but I suspect only in two places.

Pictures:

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCN0920.jpg
Views:	19
Size:	230.0 KB
ID:	18492

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCN0921.jpg
Views:	19
Size:	149.2 KB
ID:	18493

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCN0922.jpg
Views:	17
Size:	215.0 KB
ID:	18494

I have two more ceiling panels to remove, but to get at them I have to remove the seatbelt mounting. I'll leave them in and take out the wall panels, for now.
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2018, 01:36 PM   #198
Bus Geek
 
Robin97396's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Willamina, Oregon
Posts: 6,409
Coachwork: 97 Bluebird TC1000 5.9
You're moving along pretty fast. Now what to do with that bucket of screws.

Have you shed any blood in the bus yet?
__________________
Robin
Nobody's Business
Robin97396 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-15-2018, 01:52 PM   #199
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin97396 View Post
You're moving along pretty fast. Now what to do with that bucket of screws.

Have you shed any blood in the bus yet?
Speed is being hampered a bit by cold.

I just started my second "bucket of bolts". I am cutting the side out of old plastic oil jugs for the fastners I'm removing. Picking up those ceiling screws took longer than removing them

The build will slow down once I have to start spending money, but I want it insulated and lined out (so we can use it as a tent) as soon as possible.

There is still the mechanical "bus stuff" to take care of when it warms up. Tires are okay but there is a "clunk" in the steering and a few minor leaks of oil and coolant. The block heater is kaput and I don't think the grid heaters are ... er ... heating.

Engine and gearbox are both running just fine, but they will be serviced so I know where I am with it.
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-16-2018, 12:59 AM   #200
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Owasso, OK
Posts: 2,627
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Saf-T-Liner MVP ER
Engine: Cummins 6CTA8.3 Mechanical MD3060
Rated Cap: 46 Coach Seats, 40 foot
I was going to bag that insulation and cart it away to the dump.

On second thoughts, I'll just spread it around the attic above the loose-fill we have up there. Every little helps
__________________
Steve Bracken

Build Thread
Twigg is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:30 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.