BLUTO build update

[Phatman]

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything on the build. The days have been flying by me. I finally turned my attention to the deck.

[Phatman]

Ok, I have to admit my ignorance. I do not know how to add my pictures and comments all on the same post. It doesn’t surprise me. Computers & me is a terrible combination. Anyway, when it came time to cut that 1/8” aluminum diamond plate, I was shocked that a metal cutting blade in a Sabre saw was absolutely useless. I found an aluminum cutting blade in a circular saw cut it like butter. Even cut the outside curves with it. After the deck I started on the framework for the water tanks.

[Native]

What have you between the top of the tanks and the bottom of the floor?

[musigenesis]

After you upload the pics in the "manage attachments" window and close it, when you go back and click the paper clip you will see all the pictures you added listed there; clicking on a pic in that list will add a bit of HTML tag to your text that places the pic inline (there's also an "add all" option that will dump them all into your post and then you can type around them as you like. Any pic that you don't explicitly add to your text will appear in the "attached thumbnails" section at the bottom (which is where all your pics are appearing right now).

Rear deck and water tanks look great. What keeps the tanks from swaying forwards and backwards as they're suspended from those rods?

[Frochevy]

Looking great!!!! Your tank mounts are about the same concept as mine. I also love the aluminum diamond plate!! Just be careful on it when it's wet!!! That stuff gets slick! Keep up the good work!!

[plfking]

Originally Posted by Phatman

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted anything on the build. The days have been flying by me. I finally turned my attention to the deck.

Worth the wait.....that's some nice work.

[Phatman]

Originally Posted by Native

What have you between the top of the tanks and the bottom of the floor?

Nothing but the metal floor. It’s about 5”.

[Phatman]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

After you upload the pics in the "manage attachments" window and close it, when you go back and click the paper clip you will see all the pictures you added listed there; clicking on a pic in that list will add a bit of HTML tag to your text that places the pic inline (there's also an "add all" option that will dump them all into your post and then you can type around them as you like. Any pic that you don't explicitly add to your text will appear in the "attached thumbnails" section at the bottom (which is where all your pics are appearing right now).

Rear deck and water tanks look great. What keeps the tanks from swaying forwards and backwards as they're suspended from those rods?

Thanks musigenesis. I will give hat a try on the next post. The tanks are cradled in a frame of 1 1/2”. That keeps them from sliding back & forth and side to side. Then I welded a 1/4 20 stud on the sides of that frame to attach a shaped band to keep them from jumping out of that cradle. The frame hanging down from the all thread allows me to slide the tank frame( with tank attached) on one side of the all thread and raise it up to attach to the other side. The tank frame is then bolted down to the frame with the all thread.

[Phatman]

Originally Posted by Frochevy

Looking great!!!! Your tank mounts are about the same concept as mine. I also love the aluminum diamond plate!! Just be careful on it when it's wet!!! That stuff gets slick! Keep up the good work!!

Thanks Frochevy. You are absolutely right about being slick. At my age I really have to watch that stuff

[Phatman]

Originally Posted by plfking

Worth the wait.....that's some nice work.

Thanks Don.

[Phatman]

Been jumping around trying to accommodate the wife in her artwork. Relocating and demolition of a few switches. Tying the cockpit to the rest of the bus.

[cadillackid]

totally digging the whimsical dash panel!!!!

[Phatman]

Next in line was the front door. I had already dismantled the opening mechanism. Welded a piece of 1 1/2” x 3” stock between the 2 doors and covered the center, top & bottom with 14 gauge galvanized sheet metal. I created an industrial look with a load of 1/2” x 8 s.s. Sheet metal screws. Had to do them by hand after the first few twisted the heads right off with a screw gun. On both sides. Tedious !!! Having to dry fit a couple of times. THAT HONKER IS HEAVY !!!

[Phatman]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

totally digging the whimsical dash panel!!!!

Thanks Chris. I have to let my wife handle color. My idea would be gray and flat black !!

[musigenesis]

Hey, where'd you get that metal wheel on the door? I've been looking for something like that for my bulkhead door.

I love the horn logo.

[cadillackid]

what are you doing for that poor door hinge.. I can say with all certainty on a carpenter that single hinge wont last long.. it will pull out of the body

[Phatman]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

Hey, where'd you get that metal wheel on the door? I've been looking for something like that for my bulkhead door.

I love the horn logo.

My wife found it on EBay. “Industrial valve wheels” I mounted it backwards. I thought the backside looked better.

[Phatman]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

what are you doing for that poor door hinge.. I can say with all certainty on a carpenter that single hinge wont last long.. it will pull out of the body

You are right on that hinge Chris. I wanted to make sure that side went back just as it came off. I put in 12 x1 1” sheet metal screw on each side of the rivets before I removed them. As far as the pin on the hinge, it is nylon. If it doesn’t hold up, I’ll replace it with a heavy duty stainless piano hinge from Austin Hinge Hardware. I bought a 4” about 15 years ago and it holds up about 800 lbs. works like a champ. Expensive as hell though.

[Phatman]

Finally finished the bathroom. For some reason I must’ve missed taking pictures of the insulation. Not really sure. I had no plan for how I was going to do the interior. Everything had to revolve around the one piece shower could Ming through the handicap door and where the toilet had to sit. Just went where it took me and my wife.

[Frochevy]

Wow that looks amazing!! My kids would love that theme!! Did you find a sink like that, or paint it yourself and clear over it?