Toddy's Crafter Build

[ToddiesT6]

The joys of funemployment means I've more time to work on the crafter, so today I installed the Wheeliams spare wheel carrier.

1) Prep metal parts & paint.
2) Remove inner panels to access back of doors.
3) Switch magnetic stops from NS to OS & refit.
4) Support rear door
5) Remove upper bolts with breaker bar, hang upper beam & bolt back up, but don’t forget the rubber section that’s mean to stop damage.
6) Repeat for lower beam.
7) Fit middle beam (finger tight) & mark up hole.
8) Remove middle beam.
9) place pot inside door to catch swarf.
10) Pilot drill at 2mm, them hole saw to 25mm BUT only through the outer skin!
11) Open through hole to 8.5mm & deburr all.
12) Rust treat bare metal.
13) Sika EBT+ hole & insert nylon washer.
14) Sika mounting foot on mid beam.
15) Refit mid beam & the 8 bolts - don’t forget the mid beam is biased to the NS.
16) Place mounting plate & 6 bolts.
17) Copper slip 5x whee nut holes & hang wheel!

Like most people I agree this should really have a male bolt sticking out so you have something to locate the wheel on when mounting. But if you balance it on your knee & rest on the bumper, it’s not to bad.

 

[ToddiesT6]

Another day, more job applications in the bank. Then on to building my carbon fibre cladding for the kitchen.

Having most of the composite bits (or alternatives) needed to hand, makes vacuum consolidation of the surface layer to the panel so much easier.

A quick polish up & you can start to image the finished product - albeit a way off yet.

 

[ToddiesT6]

So today’s seen a bit more of the kitchen unit fitted, but I can’t progress much further until the fridge is delivered! The drawers will be mounted in the coming days & then I’ll cut the final face sheet to fit.

Sink fits in ok, a bit of nibbling for the induction hob & I’ve the work top to make also (end grain balsa wrapped in GRP as it looks like butcher block but weighs only 2kg for the entire 1100x600x45 slab)

 

[ToddiesT6]

With the kitchen unit progressed, I’ve also been able to temporary mount the control panels in positing & start getting the systems working.

Apart from 1 leak where the John Guest speedfit pipe goes to the Truma frost valve (alignment isn’t great, the run is short & 12mm isn’t that forgiving) I’ve hand no leaks - so I’ll swap to flexi & try again. Just need to do a bit of instruction reading tonight, then tomorrow it’s time to power up the Truma.

Oh and the solar panels arrived - so need to MacGyver a bracket & then it’s go time.

 

[ToddiesT6]

And that ladies & gentlemen is a successful start up! Heating & water!

 

[ToddiesT6]

First wild camp out tonight to check everything is ok for the upcoming autumn camp out.

 

[ToddiesT6]

Today I’m identifying as a seamstress in order to hop on the old sewing machine! Now I’m not particularly great at this task, but £250 savings for bench cushions helped inspire me to have a go.

So far, I’m happy with the look - just need to buy some more thread to finish them off

 

[JumpShip]

I'm not sure the dog looks very impressed maybe if you make them a matching bed .

 

[ToddiesT6]

I'm not sure the dog looks very impressed maybe if you make them a matching bed .

Didn’t like the adhesive smell & fact I was busy & not smoothing him!

 

[ToddiesT6]

Bit of work on the kitchen today with the 85l Apicool fridge finally arriving & now fitted.

I alsp cut the panel hole for the tambour door & under sink storage, leaving just enough time pocket out the worktops & trial fit the sink/induction hob.

It’s all getting 5 coat waxed finish, so be good & waterproof once I purchased some more beeswax.