Quick and Dirty

Sunday, August 21, 2011Saturday, December 7, 2013 ~ George Crawford ~ 16 Comments

This was a quick and dirty build we were talked into a couple of weeks ago. I don’t like to rush these things but the builder’s time constraints meant this was the only week to get this done before the winter. It does show that the basic build can be completed in a very short time. The basic dimensions are 5′ x 10′ at the floor and just over 7′ wide at the ledges.

I think it came out alright in the end.

Here is a small gallery of images showing the build. My daughter and I will try to put up an Instructable in the near future describing the process such as it is. Enjoy the photos.

Tail light moved to rear and jack stand welded in place

Done enough. Now for all the fluff and fuferaw

Paint, Boxes, Many Upgrades

Wednesday, July 27, 2011Saturday, December 7, 2013 ~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

I recently added two new exterior storage boxes, a solar ventilator, painted most of the exterior, and added several new and handy things to the interior of the wagon in preparation for the next voyage. Although I don’t feel like the Snail has really traveled much yet, my recent tally of the trips over the past 17 months totaled 7776 miles. This is an under-estimate as it was calculated using Yahoo maps and doesn’t include any side trips or time lost looking for restaurants, campgrounds, and the like. Photos and descriptions of the changes are on the way.

Nice Bow Top Vardo

Monday, July 25, 2011Saturday, December 7, 2013 ~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

This photo set documents the construction process very well. Have a look if you want to see something that is very light weight and built well. Click the photo or copy the link below for more.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuacatum/sets/72157626603954269/

New Window in Door

Tuesday, June 21, 2011Saturday, December 7, 2013 ~ George Crawford ~ 3 Comments

The door is nearly done and the new window is installed. I am loving it and with a few more tweaks, it will be done. I finally put a good coat of Valspar paint on it and really like the new color.

Wagon Window

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 ~ George Crawford ~ 7 Comments

Finally getting back to the wagon with longer days and less going on. Over the weekend I started the new window for the wagon door. The old one was a place-holder to get it out on the road (as are the other windows). Now I want to rebuild the whole door.

The frame being built. It is clamped to the work table to keep it rigid and prevent it from racking out of square.

Detail of how the frames cross and interlock. I have never made a window like this so this is what I came up with.

Holding the frames fast while the glue dries.

Flipped over and given a final sanding.

Getting a few coats of Cabot’s Spar Varnish for good measure.

Fitted with three types of glass; wavy clear, hammered clear, and red with a lot of break-up. The widow will be fitted into a frame (pre-hung) so that it can be removed entirely for repair or replacement of the door. More to come soon.