ATTN: Hampton Roads Area Skoolie Family

DoxieLuvr2015

DoxieLuvr2015

Advanced Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2018
Posts
70
Location
Norfolk, VA
First let me just say that this is not in any way a paid recommendation.

I started my conversion project on Dec 4 2019. I was worried about a place to store the bus and all the tools that I needed to buy or rent to complete my conversion.

So naturally I went to google and looked for tool sharing and commercial lots to rent. I came across a wonderful community of makers and DIY'ers. The location is called 757 Makerspace.

It is a DIY'er dream. Of course to access all the tools you need a membership but there's a woodworking shop, metal shop, 3D printers, sowing machines laser-cutter/engravers, a HUGE CNC machine for wood. (That's what I am using) to cut wood for shelves and cabinets and furniture all available with a short safety lesson on the use of certain tools and equipment. Plus if you don't know how to use a 3D printer you can take lessons here as well.

It's located in Ghent and its also next to local brewery too so after a long day of working you can grab some local food and beer too!
 
We just picked up a Thomas safe t liner with a friend of ours. Mercedes 906 with 3060 Allison. It is noticeably bigger then the at545. It is similar in size to the old MT-40 6 speed Allison.
 
Inside one of the large bays at 757 Makerspace

As you can see the Makerspace has plenty of inside work space.
 

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DoxieLuvr2015 said:
As you can see the Makerspace has plenty of inside work space.
Click to expand...

I live in VB and have visited the MakerSpace during open house. Very nice setup they have. What did they charge you for parking the bus there? And the big question: were you able to find an affordable insurance policy that’s legit for the bus and what did you register it as?
 
I love the Hampton Roads area. I was stationed at Langley AFB. There is just so much to do in the area. I don't have a bus right now, but we can always hope...
 
@ dgorila1

No insurance yet and it's still titled as a SB ;)

As for what I am paying, lets just say I think its fair considering I have a covered storage unit open 24 hours and access to all the tools and more!!
 
Last edited:
@ BarnYardCamp

I have some in my photo album..not many but a few. This week I am prepping the deck for paint and hole patching.
 
DoxieLuvr2015 said:
@ dgorila1

No insurance yet and it's still titled as a SB ;)

As for what I am paying, lets just say I think its fair considering I have a covered storage unit open 24 hours and access to all the tools and more!!
Click to expand...

So they let you leave it inside.....that's awesome! I have been trying to figure out somewhere in our area that could be rented, is inside and large enough to fit a bus to work on. Browsing through industrial rental listings, everything is so expensive, even in the worst areas of Norfolk and Portsmouth. Is there room for more than one large vehicle in the space, and is it climate controlled so you can work on it all year round? Heck even if it's just covered/enclosed you're still out of the elements and making out. I will have to keep them in mind when I finally get a vehicle, especially since they have all the tools/equipment needed to weld and woodwork. :Thanx:
 
dgorila1 said:
So they let you leave it inside.....that's awesome! I have been trying to figure out somewhere in our area that could be rented, is inside and large enough to fit a bus to work on. Browsing through industrial rental listings, everything is so expensive, even in the worst areas of Norfolk and Portsmouth. Is there room for more than one large vehicle in the space, and is it climate controlled so you can work on it all year round? Heck even if it's just covered/enclosed you're still out of the elements and making out. I will have to keep them in mind when I finally get a vehicle, especially since they have all the tools/equipment needed to weld and woodwork. :Thanx:
Click to expand...

I found an inside garage space in Jersey last year, 40'x15' with electricity and water and even a small bathroom, $400 a month. Right before renting it sight unseen it occurred to me to ask them how high it was: 10' ceiling with a 9' tall door, unfortunately.
 
Nice and Inside

dgorila1 said:
So they let you leave it inside.....that's awesome! I have been trying to figure out somewhere in our area that could be rented, is inside and large enough to fit a bus to work on. Browsing through industrial rental listings, everything is so expensive, even in the worst areas of Norfolk and Portsmouth. Is there room for more than one large vehicle in the space, and is it climate controlled so you can work on it all year round? Heck even if it's just covered/enclosed you're still out of the elements and making out. I will have to keep them in mind when I finally get a vehicle, especially since they have all the tools/equipment needed to weld and woodwork. :Thanx:
Click to expand...

It is not climate controlled but its inside out of the elements. I have overhead lights and there are plenty of spot lights in the tool section to use...just have to put them back at the end of work. I am paying 500$ a month.

As soon as I am sealed up and insulated I will take it out and continue to work on it from outside. I want to break my apartment lease and start living in the bus at a RV camp site located in JEB Little Creek. That's where my ship is at. Then I can keep all my rent money for the completion of the conversion. My retirement date is March 2021 :dance:
 
musigenesis said:
I found an inside garage space in Jersey last year, 40'x15' with electricity and water and even a small bathroom, $400 a month. Right before renting it sight unseen it occurred to me to ask them how high it was: 10' ceiling with a 9' tall door, unfortunately.
Click to expand...

That's another thing I found, most commercial shop rentals didn't have 14' garage doors. 8' or 10' seem to be the norm.
 
DoxieLuvr2015 said:
It is not climate controlled but its inside out of the elements. I have overhead lights and there are plenty of spot lights in the tool section to use...just have to put them back at the end of work. I am paying 500$ a month.

As soon as I am sealed up and insulated I will take it out and continue to work on it from outside. I want to break my apartment lease and start living in the bus at a RV camp site located in JEB Little Creek. That's where my ship is at. Then I can keep all my rent money for the completion of the conversion. My retirement date is March 2021 :dance:
Click to expand...

$500 a month is a good deal, considering it's inside and you have all the tools at your disposal to use as needed. Do the base campgrounds allow "non factory" rv's and long term living? Congrats on the pending retirement. You should be counting it down in days now! You can kill most of the next 11 months doing all the pre-discharge classes, physicals, etc needed to prep for civilian life.
 
Sorta..

dgorila1 said:
$500 a month is a good deal, considering it's inside and you have all the tools at your disposal to use as needed. Do the base campgrounds allow "non factory" rv's and long term living? Congrats on the pending retirement. You should be counting it down in days now! You can kill most of the next 11 months doing all the pre-discharge classes, physicals, etc needed to prep for civilian life.
Click to expand...

Yeah the camp ground is alright with the bus. I didn't tell them I may be in and out on a weekend bases though. Driving to and from the Makerspace...:angel:

I really didn't expect my last year in the navy to be cooped up...the pre-discharge classes are postponed till the COVID pandemic slows down. Also all unessential visit to the clinic are highly discouraged. There's one thing that makes me smile though....most of my coworkers have probably forgot about my retirement date...it will be hilarious when I just dip out on them for terminal leave :rofl:
 
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