Over the weekend I had time to add a few, more recent, photos of the wagon to the Vardo page. There are many requests and I assume there are quite a few people out there building their own. Good luck to you all.
Tag: gypsy wagon
House Truck
A great looking house truck from Australia posted on Lloyd Kahn’s blog. Always something interesting there so check it out.
Quick and Dirty
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.
New Paint
Here’s a preview pic of the new paint and some additions.
Just about ready for the road again.
Far from done, but this gives an idea of the new bling colors. They don’t look quite this vibrant in real life but the camera really brings them out.
Paint, Boxes, Many Upgrades
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
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
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
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.
The rest of the Vardo build can still be found here (https://paleotool.wordpress.com/plans-projects-and-patterns/the-vardo/).
Collapse-a-Vardo
A new design for the vardo world with the folding bow-top. It has a great design as it will be light-weight yet roomy.
Excellent details so far. I can’t wait to see it in person when we can “circle the wagons”. Click the photo or the link below to see more.
Winter Count 2011
A few photos of the vardo in the desert at this year’s Winter Count. Along side the usual survival skills, I also taught another simple shoe class.
Click the photo to see more uploaded images of the little vardo in action.
This ghillie shoe class was busy again and I think we had about 16 participants. It’s always more work for the students than I think it will be as many have not had much experience working and cutting leather. I think they all came out great though.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 