Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life
Just returned from a 10 state 3400 mile shakedown run with the little Snail. Fortunately, about 2/3rds of the trip was work-related so not all of the expense was mine. Lots of ideas for finishing out the wagon over the winter.
Click the photo for the Vardo page.
I put up a few pictures of the nearly finished vardo. Of course, there are many little things I still plan to do and add, the basic wagon is livable now. I hope to eventually find a smaller stove to fit as this one could easily get too hot for the space it’s in.
Also, I published my first Instructable and received some excellent feedback. I tried to put the Vardo build in a sensible order and post it where it can be easily found for a long time. Here’s the link to the “How to Build the Gyspy Wagon”. If you have an Instructable account, you can vote for the best woodworking project. I would appreciate a good vote as I could use the tools being given away.
A view inside the vardo. Put together from three shots. It is so small, its hard to get a perspective through the lens. Enjoy. Also, more photos can found on the Vardo Page including a stove fitting and other fun stuff.
Another modern trailer vardo underway at “Vardo-a-go-go“. It looks to be built to slide into a cargo flatbed and will apparently be used as a recreation vehicle. The design is a modified “American Vardo” from Timothy Lemke. I think the greatest benefit of this plan is its extreme light-weightness and relatively simple construction. Good luck Libby and show us more photos!
Another take on the modern Gypsy Wagon. I suspect it is very heavy but looks to be very large and accommodating as well. Lots of decorative details.
http://www.wanderingbookartists.blogspot.com/
They are also fine craftsmen and artists. Check out their site.
I’ve added a couple more photos of the vardo as it came together for our summer vacation to the sea.
Still many things to do but it was also a great learning opportunity to understand the final arrangements of the interior space and how it is used.
N55 is a group of artists and designers who have some interesting ideas. I have been interested in the Walkinghouse since I first saw it. Here is a link to its “manual” and here is a video of it walking in Copenhagen. I selfishly wish they were doing this somewhere closer to me. While on this website, its worth checking out some of their other ideas. They are broken up into “manuals” and they also have a book you can download.
I like much of their design and hope to continue to see more as they progress.
My only real problem with this design is the lack of an easy-entry door. I couldn’t imagine climbing in while holding anything (like a sack of groceries). I do find the combination of solar-electric, hydraulic drive, and wood heat to be intriguing.
This was our trial run of the nearly finished vardo. I had to stop tinkering long enough to pack it up and get ready to head out.
Packed for camping and ready to leave.
I should find a way to better secure the steps as the steep mountain grades caused some movement.
Taller tires have now made the wagon sit a little tilted. I shall need to fix this with a drop down hitch.
First RV style campground… ever. I was actually very impressed with the facility.
The little vardo drew quite a bit of attention here amidst the $100,000+ RVs.
Third try is the best. After trying two other solutions for the table front, this is what I decided upon. Oak with a simple brass sash pull. Not very exciting I know, but still an important detail.
The two visible screw heads will be plugged to hide them better. I just haven’t made it that far yet.
There are more small fixes and additions that have been made, just waiting to be posted here.
I finally put the final layer of roof on the vardo. I suspect this will really help keep it cool in the sun.
I still have quite a ways to go with paint and other exterior trim but my next focus is to finish installing the stove. The plan is made, most of it has been “dry fitted”, now it just needs some cutting to plumb the chimney pipe.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 