BLUTO build update - Page 2

Phatman · 04-09-2020, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Looking good, man, but that roof sure isn't.

And I thought my roof was dirty.

You are right there. I should have washed it after I pulled those hatches out. I just cleaned the area around he hatch so I could weld up all the holes. I’ll wash it sometime in May when I’m ready to paint.

TheArgobus · 04-11-2020, 10:44 AM

I love the colors! Skoolies always seem to look better with funky color schemes, and here I am with just primed shiplap. Boring.

Phatman · 04-11-2020, 02:13 PM

Thanks Argo. My wife is the artist, I’m just the builder. I leave all the colors to her. My favorite color is gray. That’s why she is the color guru. Lol !!

Frochevy · 04-13-2020, 09:13 PM

I like the color of the cabinets!! They look awesome!

Phatman · 04-13-2020, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frochevy

I like the color of the cabinets!! They look awesome!

Thanks Frochevy. My wife is the color guru.

Phatman · 04-14-2020, 05:59 PM

I had to stop and get this project out of the way. I have had this one side of a bus chassis sitting on a dolly in my shop for the last two months. I have tripped over this damn thing more than I can count. I thought I was going to be able to use a plasma cutter. Didn’t happen. Used a band saw. Worked out great. Just had to get a little creative. That steel is 7/16” thick. That crap is heavy. Now I need to pick up some more grade 8 bolts, nuts & washers and get the bumper back on.

banman · 04-14-2020, 08:17 PM

Ooh -- what's going on?
Looks like a 2½ to 3 foot frame extension. Going to build a little deck or...?

Phatman · 04-14-2020, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banman

Ooh -- what's going on?
Looks like a 2½ to 3 foot frame extension. Going to build a little deck or...?

That’s it. A 30” deck. I plan on removing the bus door and replacing it with a 24” full size door. Also, I will swing it from the other side. I will form a canopy off the back that will probably be in the 20” range with some ornate wrought iron. Think Gypsy Wagon. Still not sure what the deck will be. It will be some kind of metal.

Frochevy · 04-14-2020, 10:24 PM

Looks like a good start!! I can't wait to see how it turns out! I like how you used the same channel as frame. Seems to fit well. A rear platform/deck could be the single greatest addition to any bus in my opinion!

Phatman · 04-14-2020, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frochevy

Looks like a good start!! I can't wait to see how it turns out! I like how you used the same channel as frame. Seems to fit well. A rear platform/deck could be the single greatest addition to any bus in my opinion!

Thanks man. I was extremely lucky. I have a buddy of mine that runs a salvage yard and has stuff like that comes through there place all the time. He loaded it up and dropped it off at my house. Fun times !!!

Phatman · 04-15-2020, 07:59 PM

Ok, spent half the day getting me a stash of 1/2” grade 8 bolts, nuts & washers and drilling all the holes for all the braces & brackets. 7/16” steel kicked my ars !! When a 1/2” bit hangs in 7/16” steel, you better hold on. Got it all complete and leveled. All I need now is my deck and two sheet metal extensions on the side to tie it in with the side panels.

banman · 04-15-2020, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatman

Ok, spent half the day getting me a stash of 1/2” grade 8 bolts, nuts & washers and drilling all the holes for all the braces & brackets. 7/16” steel kicked my ars !! When a 1/2” bit hangs in 7/16” steel, you better hold on. Got it all complete and leveled. All I need now is my deck and two sheet metal extensions on the side to tie it in with the side panels.

Right on!
A little jealous but my 38' bus doesn't need anymore overhang...
then again, it's 38' -- I think I got enough room...

Looking close at your new hardware -- even with nylocks, two threads showing (after tightening) is a good rule of thumb.

ol trunt · 04-15-2020, 08:47 PM

Nice quality. Reminiscent of Tango's work. I'm glad I asked about who was "on the screen", the Eagles produced many many fine songs. Jack

Phatman · 04-15-2020, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banman

Right on!
A little jealous but my 38' bus doesn't need anymore overhang...
then again, it's 38' -- I think I got enough room...

Looking close at your new hardware -- even with nylocks, two threads showing (after tightening) is a good rule of thumb.

Thanks David. I’ll remember that. Great tip!!

Phatman · 04-15-2020, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ol trunt

Nice quality. Reminiscent of Tango's work. I'm glad I asked about who was "on the screen", the Eagles produced many many fine songs. Jack

Thanks Jack. Yeah, I really miss Don. I had a couple of drinks with Tango before he got his diagnosis. Yes sir, I’m an old eagles fan from the beginning.

Native · 04-16-2020, 04:37 AM

They were my first concert ... and my first (and only) case of the munchies ... from secondary smoke!

musigenesis · 04-16-2020, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatman

Ok, spent half the day getting me a stash of 1/2” grade 8 bolts, nuts & washers and drilling all the holes for all the braces & brackets. 7/16” steel kicked my ars !! When a 1/2” bit hangs in 7/16” steel, you better hold on. Got it all complete and leveled. All I need now is my deck and two sheet metal extensions on the side to tie it in with the side panels.

What torque do those half-inchers take? I might need to get a new torque wrench if I use that size. I have a smallish one (not the click-type) and I'm not sure I can use it for much more than the 23 ft-lbs of a Grade 5 3/8.

Phatman · 04-16-2020, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musigenesis

What torque do those half-inchers take? I might need to get a new torque wrench if I use that size. I have a smallish one (not the click-type) and I'm not sure I can use it for much more than the 23 ft-lbs of a Grade 5 3/8.

Honestly MG, I have not looked at the torque specs yet. I’m sure you will need a 1/2” drive click type wrench though. I have a set of International Books with all the info. I’ll let you know this evening. I have to head over to the other side of town today and pick up some upholstery material before I get to the shop.

Phatman · 04-16-2020, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Native

They were my first concert ... and my first (and only) case of the munchies ... from secondary smoke!

Hahahahaha. Definite on the munchies. Well I guess that shows my age. My first concert was Blues Image & Iron Butterfly at the Houston Coliseum.

banman · 04-16-2020, 08:54 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by musigenesis View Post
What torque do those half-inchers take? I might need to get a new torque wrench if I use that size. I have a smallish one (not the click-type) and I'm not sure I can use it for much more than the 23 ft-lbs of a Grade 5 3/8.
[QUOTE=WIbluebird;370973]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatman

Honestly MG, I have not looked at the torque specs yet. I’m sure you will need a 1/2” drive click type wrench though. I have a set of International Books with all the info. I’ll let you know this evening. I have to head over to the other side of town today and pick up some upholstery material before I get to the shop.

Google up "standard torque charts for fasteners"

Essentially, a bolt is a spring-clamp used to hold things together -- you want the correct range of torque on the clamp so it doesn't loosen. If you go too tight, you'll stretch the bolt and actually lose clamping force.

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