The Albatross

[steampunkbus]

Well, I have got a lot done over the last two weeks. I was able to remove all the seats. I called up the local school district and they sent out some guys to pick up all the seats. That was great, I hadn't really figured out a way to get the seats to the dump. I gave away all the metal from the old AC venting on freecycle as well. So at this point I have avoided taking anything to the dump.

I got the old rubber and plywood floor out. It's pretty rusty underneath! I am currently working on sanding down all of the rust.

Check out the video to see:

Anyone have any thoughts on whether the rust is something I should really put time into? Obviously if there is a hole I should patch it. What about just areas of the floor where there is a lot of rust but its not actually a hole yet? We are planning to live full time in it and I want to make sure its durable. I don't want to cut corners.

I hope to get the metal done, patched and painted this weekend.

 

[timbuk]

what are you looking at rusty metal on the surface?Dust mask,wire wheel and fans.Not a great place to spend a pile of $ but i would paint it with rust paint .I like the home hardware stuff better that the tremco and i think its less bucks.Unless a big area is rusted through and needss cut out,patch and paint away!Pretty good the school guys got those seats, they will remember you for sure. timbuk

 

[Diesel Dan]

My rust strategy: Grind the rust with a wirebrush, and maybe angle grinder on areas where it's really layered, then treat with a rust converter like Ospho or something like it then paint with rustoleum rusty metal primer, then patch small holes with silicone caulk, bigger holes with caulk and a piece of metal and maybe rivets/screws if big enough. That's all on the inside. On the bottom of the holes I will treat with rust converter and then smear roofing tar wherever I can reach. Currently, I'm about 75% finished with the inside rust battle.

I recommend dealing with it. Rust never sleeps!

 

[BassnTruck]

Well after looking up what a steampunk is ummmmm I think it is pretty lame. But nice bus and keep up the work hope you enjoy it.

 

[dennis-SKO]

Well after looking up what a steampunk is ummmmm I think it is pretty lame. But nice bus and keep up the work hope you enjoy it.

I had to look up what "steampunk" is as well. Sounds like a pretty interesting way to do the cosmetics on a bus. I look forward to seeing just what you come up with.

BTW, Jake Von Slatt has already laid claim to the "steampunk RV" title here. You might want to check it out for inspiration.

 

[steampunkbus]

An update

Well to each his own, steampunk is unique that's for sure.

We are now living in our bus full time while working on it! This has been a task and a half since there is of course no running water etc. Its motivation to get it down though, thats for sure. We did this for a couple reasons, but mainly the extra income to put towards construction rather than rent.

I have finished the sub floor. I finished painting the floor and put down a vapor barrier, followed by 2 inches of insulation. Then I put 3/4 inch plywood down. For fastening to the floor to the bus, I decided to go with bolts through to the underside of the bus. I wasn't able to get self drilling screws that were long enough to go through the entire sub floor. I was nervous about screws sheering off as well.

I am currently working on removing the windows and filling them in. I was originally going to patch the window holes from the outside as I have seen others do. I am not super skilled with doing rivets etc. so I went with a different plan. I got 20 gauge metal cut to inside dimensions of the window openings. I then cut plywood to match that size. I glued the metal to the plywood with a high grade adhesive. Then I used cut wood to hold the metal/plywood in the place of the windows. Seems to work quite well.

I have attached pictures of my progress.

 

[steampunkbus]

More Pics

 

[steampunkbus]

More pics

 

[jkindt]

I think it is a great idea to build 'window replacements' to skin them in. I just came in from outside where I cut some FRP (fiberglass) panels to fit my windows and did a trial fit with a piece of 1.5" foam insulation bonded to it. Almost identical to your idea, just different materials. The panels fit in great, but I think I am going to have to do like you and use .5" plywood bonded to the FRP for more stability and security. Then I can use 1" foam insulation over that. Great job, how many windows are you covering?

 

[johnfaires]

Hey guys,

we have added a few videos recently on our progress. We got some walls up. Again keep in mind that we are living in this bus while converting it. Check it out the most recent one:

I am taking time off work all next week and am going to install our kitchen and hopefully get a ton of panelling on. Should be exciting.

John

 

[johnfaires]

It's been a while since an update... here are some recent pics of my bus.

 

[johnfaires]

More pics...

 

[yankeflyer]

Wow - looks great

 

[somewhereinusa]

Lookin' good.

 

[TKFT]

Looks like someone made the front page of Reddit.
LINK

 

[johnfaires]

We are finally wrapping up the kitchen in the bus. Just put in the floor tonight. Check it out.

 

[Seeria]

Looks good.

 

[GreyEagle-SKO]

Nice job !!!!!!!!!! Looking goooood !!!

 

[somewhereinusa]

Well done.

 

[jolly_rogger]

hows the road guys ? everything working well ?