I'm In Bondage to This Prison Bus

[spenceronehalf]

Oooo, that's a nice sander! Worth more than the bus, but nice!

I know what you mean about the breath mask. I switched to a canister-based one ... but it's a bit leaky.

My problem with the windows was the same one the prisoners faced: none of the windows open. They're all sealed from the outside.

Thanks for the note!

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by spenceronehalf

Oooo, that's a nice sander! Worth more than the bus, but nice!

I know what you mean about the breath mask. I switched to a canister-based one ... but it's a bit leaky.

My problem with the windows was the same one the prisoners faced: none of the windows open. They're all sealed from the outside.

Thanks for the note!

if the windows dont open, just have to run the air-conditioning a lot..
-Christopher

[JKLauderdale]

1: Damn good progress so far, I'm jealous.

2: Considering the amount of work/time you have left on your project, invest in some construction kneepads.

IDK how old you are but at 42 with one bad knee already, I couldn't do half of the work I do at my shop without my kneepads' cushioning.

[spenceronehalf]

haha, this is kind of funny. I have two pairs of great knee pads -- and never remember to wear them! I'm gonna have to leave a pair in the bus from now on. good thinking!

[spenceronehalf]

Working on the bus evenings after work & weekends has meant that the project has been a bit slow going, but the nice thing about that has been that I've had plenty of time to plan. While it seems that most skoolie converters go the route of creating a living space, I've toyed with the idea of:

• Prison Bus Becomes A ...
• food truck
• traveling woodshop
• traveling exercise space
• big open meeting space (on wheels)
• something about prisons ... so like a "freedom bus"
• traveling internet café

But like so many others, I kinda want to live in it. I know, most converters have a plan and a vision ... I've never been much of a planner.

So floors: I've been welding over all of the holes in the floor, thinking welds will be more solid than any squirt-on solution, and then creating patches for the larger rust spots. The floors on my prison bus are really not that bad, so I can't complain about my limited amounts of rust.

As you may recall, my bus had a toilet in the back corner -- flushed by the driver with a button on the console. I pulled the toilet (stainless steel), and have toyed with the idea of keeping the bathroom in the back corner. But I just can't fall in love with that idea. A toilet in the back of the bus would mean, as far as I can tell, like likelihood of a genuine bedroom. And it wold be cool to have some kind of room, probably in the rear of the bus, to cozy up in. So I think I'll try to move the black tank. If not, I'll buy a new one -- it looks like they're pretty cheap on Amzn.

With the floors moving along (I'm very close to a final de-rusting coat and painting them), I'm eager to start building.

Here's my most recent video on the bus:

https://youtu.be/63-V8t-BRXA

[EastCoastCB]

Plans are for those who don't want adventure!
I've had so many folks ask me what my floorplan is, and I tell em I don't know yet. I'll know when I have a floor lol.

[spenceronehalf]

Awesome! So I'm not alone. It's developing ... organically.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by spenceronehalf

Working on the bus evenings after work & weekends has meant that the project has been a bit slow going, but the nice thing about that has been that I've had plenty of time to plan. While it seems that most skoolie converters go the route of creating a living space, I've toyed with the idea of:

• Prison Bus Becomes A ...
• food truck
• traveling woodshop
• traveling exercise space
• big open meeting space (on wheels)
• something about prisons ... so like a "freedom bus"
• traveling internet café

But like so many others, I kinda want to live in it. I know, most converters have a plan and a vision ... I've never been much of a planner.

So floors: I've been welding over all of the holes in the floor, thinking welds will be more solid than any squirt-on solution, and then creating patches for the larger rust spots. The floors on my prison bus are really not that bad, so I can't complain about my limited amounts of rust.

As you may recall, my bus had a toilet in the back corner -- flushed by the driver with a button on the console. I pulled the toilet (stainless steel), and have toyed with the idea of keeping the bathroom in the back corner. But I just can't fall in love with that idea. A toilet in the back of the bus would mean, as far as I can tell, like likelihood of a genuine bedroom. And it wold be cool to have some kind of room, probably in the rear of the bus, to cozy up in. So I think I'll try to move the black tank. If not, I'll buy a new one -- it looks like they're pretty cheap on Amzn.

With the floors moving along (I'm very close to a final de-rusting coat and painting them), I'm eager to start building.

Here's my most recent video on the bus:

https://youtu.be/63-V8t-BRXA

not everyone has living plans.. I say keep doing what you are doing... !!

I have 1 bus thats a Mobile Software / Hardware test and DEV Lab.. I set it up with all kinds of cool Gear, drive around, my mind gets inspired from the scenery, the music, the bus itself... so then I find cool places to stop and work and test...

my other bus is simply put, my daily driver.. yep I go to the mall, to dinner, the coffee shop, wal mart.. take my friends out in it, go on road trips.. etc..

so yeah there are no set rules of what you must do with a bus..

im certain of one thing if your bus at any time puts a smile on your face then you are doing it right.
-Christopher

[spenceronehalf]

I like your style, Christopher. That sounds awesome!

[spenceronehalf]

I'm all ready to paint the floors, but need some warm weather.

https://youtu.be/Uu8K_5UJx7I

[spenceronehalf]

https://youtu.be/Uu8K_5UJx7I

trying to embed ...

[Carytowncat]

On the topic of plans; The first bus was a prison transport bus. I couldnt get it running right. Cried over that one. Then the GMC found me nearly a year later and it was love at first sight. I drove this GMC to a parking spot and pulled the seats the next day, then ran to my apartment and grabbed some blankets, snacks, and a pillow. lol I moved right in. Goodness the police were there first thing in the morning, and every few days after that, until i called and spoke with the seargent who sent two officers over to visit and admire the skoolie! After that they never showed up again, and we (kitty and i) lived at that spot for 10 months.

I sort of just did things that worked and am grateful i didnt arrive with a big plan because it all unfolded very naturally, and a plan would have meant a whole lot of undoing.

The only thing i will do different next bus, is insulate like mad!

The kitty and i are sitting in the bus listening to the storm on the metal roof.
Sometimes the uncertainty scares the heck out of me, but some nights i feel so lucky it ought to be illegal.

[spenceronehalf]

I posted my 8th video in my Prison Bus remodel series. You should be able to find it here:

https://youtu.be/afafmN367fk

As you'll see, I applied regular old silicone sealant to the roof. After doing that, I read that many have had better luck with polyurethane sealants. I guess I'll have to apply the good stuff next time!

For the floors, I applied Krud Kutter's Rustex, which I got at my local hardware store. It did a nice job of converting the rust into dust. Then I painted on a layer of Rustoleum.

I think I'll take the bus out for a ride in the country tomorrow, just to remember how nice it is to have it out on the road. Then: floor insulation, subflooring, and flooring.

Thanks to everyone in advance for suggestions, comments, tips, etc.

[Rusty]

Again, another amazing video production.

Weather is making it easier on us to get out and work now !

My advice today is: this is a large project- use large tools. Just screwing a broom handle in that rollerhandle would have saved you TONS of energy.

You seem very determined. You'll need that.

[spenceronehalf]

As I crawled around with that little roller, I kept thinking to myself "I should get my extender" ... which was just in the garage! But I was in a groove. I'm hoping this weather holds, as it sure makes working nicer

[spenceronehalf]

I got my subfloors down and posted another video in my prison bus remodel series.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2fm...ature=youtu.be

Now it's all about figuring out the WICKED MAZE that is wiring diagrams.

[Robin97396]

That's alota work. Nice to see a race track instead of the usual bowling alley.

[Rusty]

Ya know, It'd sure be nice if your dang cameraman could set the camera down and help sling that sheeting.

Weather has been nice to get work done.

Keep on busin'

[spenceronehalf]

haha! oh for another set of hands!

[Stewzer55]

Nice work, any difference on how it feels inside the bus yet?