Roof raise help?

[PNW_Steve]

Hey Everyone,

I am sneaking up on roof raise time on my 2002 Bluebird A3RE.

I feel comfortable with part of the process but would really like to hire someone who has raised the roof on a Bluebird before or similar experience. Swapping labor would be even better.

If anyone here has interest in giving me a hand speak up.

My tentative plan is to get it to the point where I am ready to start cutting hat channel and then either bring the bus to you or bring you to the bus.

I am located in Dayton Washington. We have plenty of accommodation for guests. Two spare bedrooms, a travel trailer and a Best Western within walking distance.

Anyone have interest?


Thanks.

S.

 

[PNW_Steve]

Anyone?

Comments or suggestions?

Thanks

 

[PNW_Steve]

Well.....

Anyone have any recommendations for an individual or shop they would recommend to give me a hand? Hopefully somewhere in: WA, OR, ID, MT or NorCal.

I am really weak in the sheet metal skills and do need some help.

Just to be clear, I am not looking for volunteer labor. I am looking for paid help.

Thanks.

S.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

Well.....

Anyone have any recommendations for an individual or shop they would recommend to give me a hand? Hopefully somewhere in: WA, OR, ID, MT or NorCal.

I am really weak in the sheet metal skills and do need some help.

Just to be clear, I am not looking for volunteer labor. I am looking for paid help.

Thanks.

S.

If you are tempted to have a go yourself, buses are nearly all flat sheets and simple curves. The only compound curves are in the end-caps.

This is way easier than you might think if you have only ever seen work done on cars.

 

[PNW_Steve]

Thank you Twigg,

It is the end caps that are my biggest concern.

Also, as an amateur, if all goes perfectly then I may be ok but I am ill equipped to handle problems.

Thanks again.

S.

 

[Asetechrail]

Hey Steve, I have never done it either but sure would be willing to help.

I don’t need payment....well beer perhaps

 

[PNW_Steve]

Hey Steve, I have never done it either but sure would be willing to help.

I don’t need payment....well beer perhaps

Thanks Kent,

Beer is not payment it is sustenance... Necessary for the continuation of life.

I may take you up on that. I am stressing over some of the sheetmetal work.

You all need to come over for dinner soon.

Take care.

S.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

Thanks Kent,

Beer is not payment it is sustenance... Necessary for the continuation of life.

I may take you up on that. I am stressing over some of the sheetmetal work.

You all need to come over for dinner soon.

Take care.

S.

If you end up stuck ... the biggest issue is where to make the cuts. Some help with deciding that would go a long way. Hiring a local welder to make the joins would be a much easier task .... the guy would probably make the cuts too once he knows where you want them.

 

[BurlKing]

i'll do it if you get it to MN, Steve.

 

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

Make the cuts in the window areas that way your only dealing with putting straight pieces back together and raise the end caps with the roof or at least the rear end cap and transmission the front lower roof end cap up to the new roof.
I know you can find side windows to fit but if you raise the front end cap I don't know if you could find new windshields.
Cut a small piece of rib and take it to a sheetmetal shop and have them make pieces to fit either inside or outside of yours and depending on the height of your raise I would make them full length to lap over the cut ribs as much as possible except leave the welder an inch or two at the top and bottom to weld the ends up.
Get yourself a mig welder and practice with scraps until your omfortable in the vertical position that the ribs are going to be in
I have never done a SKOOLIE raise but i do welding and metal work for a living.
I think ECCB documented his roof raise.
Don't be scared of it. If you want it you can practice a little and weld it yourself.
Good luck

 

[Asetechrail]

Steve I have a welder...just need to pick up some more gas and different wire. I have flux core in it right now. The inert gas welds are much prettier. I also have alot of other tools we may need. Would be nice to have a pneumatic rivet gun.

Let me know the timeline and we can get something going.

Kent

 

[PNW_Steve]

Steve I have a welder...just need to pick up some more gas and different wire. I have flux core in it right now. The inert gas welds are much prettier. I also have alot of other tools we may need. Would be nice to have a pneumatic rivet gun.

Let me know the timeline and we can get something going.

Kent

I have a little welder also. Same circumstance. Loaded with an empty bottle and flux core.

I am going to be picking up a pneumatic rivet gun at HF.

Let's get together and look it over, drink a beer and make a plan!

 

[Asetechrail]

Let's get together and look it over, drink a beer and make a plan!

Sounds good to me. I’ve got my brother in law’s birthday party Saturday but am open for Sunday. I usually have F,S,S off. I’m hoping that stays the same....I really like four day work weeks.

 

[Gdog 5651]

I would be willing to help but I live in mid Missouri and it's a long drive to your crib. I am starting my third roof raise (1st of my own) in a couple of weeks. I'll be with you in spirit.

 

[adic27]

Taking notes from this thread. Good luck!

 

[PNW_Steve]

I would be willing to help but I live in mid Missouri and it's a long drive to your crib. I am starting my third roof raise (1st of my own) in a couple of weeks. I'll be with you in spirit.

Thanks Gdog,

I wish we were closer. I will stop and have a coldie when we pass through Missouri

 

[PNW_Steve]

Well it is looking like we are going to wing it

I would prefer to raise the full length of the bus similar to what Elliott did on Millicent. Only I am thinking of 10"-12" not the 23" that Elliott did.

Unfortunately, I think that my fabrication skills, or lack thereof, may dictate a simpler approach like the "humpback" that I have seen on other builds.

I have searched for other build threads detailing with a full length raise but am only finding Elliott's.

Can you all point me to additional threads with the full length raise?

Another option that I am considering is to raise starting at the second bow and have the transition go from the front cap to the second bow. As opposed to the other humpbacks that transition from the second bow to the third.

What do you all think?

Thanks.

S.

 

[BurlKing]

Well it is looking like we are going to wing it

I would prefer to raise the full length of the bus similar to what Elliott did on Millicent. Only I am thinking of 10"-12" not the 23" that Elliott did.

Unfortunately, I think that my fabrication skills, or lack thereof, may dictate a simpler approach like the "humpback" that I have seen on other builds.

I have searched for other build threads detailing with a full length raise but am only finding Elliott's.

Can you all point me to additional threads with the full length raise?

Another option that I am considering is to raise starting at the second bow and have the transition go from the front cap to the second bow. As opposed to the other humpbacks that transition from the second bow to the third.

What do you all think?

Thanks.

S.

i've got it somewhat detailed on my build, and gave eastcoastcb some advice when he was doing his, so just follow my link on the bottom here.

OR - my two favorite, who do it beautifully, as well. :wink1:

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/the-broccoli-bus-9394.html

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/the-story-of-transcendence-9993.html

 

[PNW_Steve]

i've got it somewhat detailed on my build, and gave eastcoastcb some advice when he was doing his, so just follow my link on the bottom here.

OR - my two favorite, who do it beautifully, as well. :wink1:

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/the-broccoli-bus-9394.html

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/f11/the-story-of-transcendence-9993.html

Thanks Burlking,

Those are great examples of "humpback" roof raise.

Am on a quest for additional examples of full length roof raise's like Elliott did. Have you come across any?

Thanks again.

S.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

I'm not convinced there is a great deal to be gained by raising it above the driver area, and it is much simpler to raise the roof just behind.

The transition is the only complicated bit, and those other threads will help you there.