Hi I’m new here :)

[CassdAway]

Hello fellow skoolie enthusiasts!

I’m Cass,
I joined this forum before I bought my bus. Back when I was still just dreaming about one day being a part of this movement. Well, that day has come and I couldn’t be more excited about this journey.

I bought a short 4-window school bus 2001 Chevy 3500 dualy gas engine back in April and I am still very much in the beginning stages of building it out. I’m a complete novice to building and this Tennessee heat along with some other inconveniences made it hard to gain momentum.

The seats are out, and the floor is stripped to the plywood. I found I had corrugated metal flooring underneath the plywood (have never seen this on a bus) so while I battle the rivets to take out the walls and ceiling I’m leaving the old plywood where it is for now to have a solid floor to stand on.

So far I managed to get one wall panel removed after painstakingly burning through drill bits and tools as well as accidentally busting out a window when I attempted to punch the rivet pins out with an air tool. Ooops!
I am now using a plug in electric drill and the strongest bits Home Depot had to offer. This may not be the fastest or easiest way to do it but that’s what I’ve got. Getting to the ceiling might be a whole other ballgame.

But I digress!
Anyone else near Chattanooga building out a bus? Gimme a shout. I’d love to connect

 

[ewo1]

When using an air chisel, use the flat chisel that has a slight bend in it. You want to cut the head off then the body comes out easy.

don't try punching out the pin first to get them out, just cut the head off first.

 

[Puffin]

Good looking bus.
Thanks for responding to my post.

 

[CassdAway]

When using an air chisel, use the flat chisel that has a slight bend in it. You want to cut the head off then the body comes out easy.

don't try punching out the pin first to get them out, just cut the head off first.

Thank you @ewo1 I have moved on to an angle grinder and the walls are out

 

[Timeline]

Hi Cass

The pins can be knocked back pretty easy with a punch and a hammer.

A new drill bit should last a long time, are you are pushing too hard or running the drill too fast? Just hold the drill steady, use enough speed and pressure to keep the chips falling. A nice sharp bit cuts well even at a lower RPM.

I used a larger size air hammer gun and the angled chisel bit evo1 mentioned with a large air compressor to make short work of all those rivets. I did find it necessary to punch the pins in first on this Blue Bird.

 

[Averynewlife]

Hello Cass!
Looks like we all have our hands full! LOL
I feel like i've done a minute or two on You tube university and haven't seen anyone with the corrugated metal floor.
Good luck!
Hope to see you and your skoolie on the road soon!

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

my wifes midbus guide/collins cutaway has a corrugated metal floor that i couldnt match any other tin patterns to for patches and it really wasnt thick enough to anchor to unless we through bolt and used fender washers and in some places square washers.