Thomas Followed Me Home Today

[Twigg-SKO]

Walls and ceilings, you are mine

 

[Robin97396]

When you're done you won't mind forgetting about that tool.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

When you're done you won't mind forgetting about that tool.

I tried two or three ceiling screws with my regular drill/driver. The bit slipped and they remained stuck fast. I have alternate methods but they involve a heavy hammer and an impact driver.

So I bought this Porter Cable Impact Driver. Every screw I have so far tried zipped out with almost no effort.

There are a lot of them, they won't take long

 

[Robin97396]

Most of us aren't lucky enough to have screwed ceiling panels. Nice choice of tools though.

I like to do my framing with deck screws and I hear those hammer drills do that very well too.

 

[BlackJohn]

Great tool there Steve..wow, that thumb is huge from tap shifting!
Wear eye protection doing that just in case. Tomorrow is my 12th anniversary of the day I lost my sight. Took 10 years to be back to normal.

John

 

[Twigg-SKO]

Great tool there Steve..wow, that thumb is huge from tap shifting!
Wear eye protection doing that just in case. Tomorrow is my 12th anniversary of the day I lost my sight. Took 10 years to be back to normal.

John

I think it is going to make a difficult job a lot easier.

I resist buying tools right up to the point where I decide I have a job, and that's the best tool for it.

 

[EastCoastCB]

Most of us aren't lucky enough to have screwed ceiling panels. Nice choice of tools though.

I like to do my framing with deck screws and I hear those hammer drills do that very well too.

I think later buses went more from rivets to screws.. My new bus has a lot less rivets than any of my previous and its the newest. Rivets are more expensive, and everything is built cheaper and cheaper all the time.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

I think later buses went more from rivets to screws.. My new bus has a lot less rivets than any of my previous and its the newest. Rivets are more expensive, and everything is built cheaper and cheaper all the time.

Thomas always used screws.

They do use some rivets on some of the external panels, but by and large they are screwed together.

That doesn't always mean the screws will come out but I've been lucky as there is so little rust on this one.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

This is why you buy a Thomas

Fifteen rows of screws and a bunch of fiddly bits ... Ha!

 

[BlackJohn]

If you are finished take the tool back for a refund unless you want a full time job Steve!

John

 

[Twigg-SKO]

If you are finished take the tool back for a refund unless you want a full time job Steve!

John

I already love that thing. I'm keeping it under my pillow. One of the toughest jobs (which is why so many don't bother) made easy.

Arms and shoulders ache though.

 

[Tango-SKO]

The really early iron (like mine) used nothing but big ass sheetmetal screws. Problem there is, after 70+ years...they don't want to un-screw. They are pretty much rust welded in place.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

The really early iron (like mine) used nothing but big ass sheetmetal screws. Problem there is, after 70+ years...they don't want to un-screw. They are pretty much rust welded in place.

I have about six that refused to shift with the impact driver. They will be drilled out tomorrow.

It's a virtually rust-free bus. I have three panels down from the ceiling and the insulation out. The batts look brand new and the inner skin looks like it just rolled out of the factory. I am hoping it all looks like that

 

[o1marc]

I have about six that refused to shift with the impact driver. They will be drilled out tomorrow.

It's a virtually rust-free bus. I have three panels down from the ceiling and the insulation out. The batts look brand new and the inner skin looks like it just rolled out of the factory. I am hoping it all looks like that

If there is insulation in the ceiling, is it insufficient for our needs?

 

[Twigg-SKO]

If there is insulation in the ceiling, is it insufficient for our needs?

Woefully

That's why it gets changed. Plus, batt insulation is not appropriate for vehicles. It breaks down under vibration and makes a great breeding ground for mold.

 

[Robin97396]

Most of us find mostly great looking insulation, but there's usually always one or two sections that are at least a little black and nasty. My ceiling was fine but I had a couple signs of black dust or mold beneath the windows.

Mine is a 20 year old vehicle and it's good to strip it down to get out all the boogers.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

Thirteen ceiling panels are now out. All came out easily and I drilled only two screws. All the other screws that were being awkward just needed a new #2 bit.

There is zero sign of water ingress, even the emergency hatches are clean and sealed. I'm loving this bus. There will be some water damage behind a couple of the wall panels, but I suspect only in two places.

Pictures:







I have two more ceiling panels to remove, but to get at them I have to remove the seatbelt mounting. I'll leave them in and take out the wall panels, for now.

 

[Robin97396]

You're moving along pretty fast. Now what to do with that bucket of screws.

Have you shed any blood in the bus yet?

 

[Twigg-SKO]

You're moving along pretty fast. Now what to do with that bucket of screws.

Have you shed any blood in the bus yet?

Speed is being hampered a bit by cold.

I just started my second "bucket of bolts". I am cutting the side out of old plastic oil jugs for the fastners I'm removing. Picking up those ceiling screws took longer than removing them

The build will slow down once I have to start spending money, but I want it insulated and lined out (so we can use it as a tent) as soon as possible.

There is still the mechanical "bus stuff" to take care of when it warms up. Tires are okay but there is a "clunk" in the steering and a few minor leaks of oil and coolant. The block heater is kaput and I don't think the grid heaters are ... er ... heating.

Engine and gearbox are both running just fine, but they will be serviced so I know where I am with it.

 

[Twigg-SKO]

I was going to bag that insulation and cart it away to the dump.

On second thoughts, I'll just spread it around the attic above the loose-fill we have up there. Every little helps