Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life
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.
A photo of the new “porch”. I didn’t really need more sticking out in the back but it will serve as a bumper and handy surface I’m sure.
And a drying rack over the stove area. The hooks will be useful for lanterns, tools, cookware, and wet socks.
With such limited space (about 50 sq. ft.) pegs, hooks, and little storage bins tucked away in all the furniture make all the difference. Click either photo to get to the rest of the vardo photos.
I finally found the shaving mirror that was perfect for the wagon. I have seen them in photos of other western wagons. Local hardware and bath stores only had very cheesy, lightweight mirrors on folding arms. After some internet searching, I found this one that had good reviews on Amazon. It is sturdy and appears to be well-built.
Below is the coffee grinder that was the fist housewarming gift for the wagon. Thanks Mick. It works well.
Finally, the step porch I have been debating over for a long time. We’ll see if it works out.
A friend spotted this nice little sheep wagon in Payson, Arizona recently. It’s for sale for $6000 and appears to be in good shape. Canvas cover looks fairly new. It would be a decent cowboy camp if you had horses or burros.
Running gear looks decent from the photo.
Side boxes and steel wheels.
Large rear window and kitchen box under the bed.
Rustic, but with a lot of great potential.
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.
New chimney, storage boxes, pan box, tires, jack and on the road.
Rides like a charm. Even fully loaded. More tomorrow. The rest of the VARDO BUILD is still here.
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.
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.
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.
Bottom bunk and storage assembled. A little messy inside (the coffee cans contain screws and hardware).
The low platform on the right will be the base for the stove and the high shelf is new as well.
The vardo project can be found by clicking the photo or here.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 