'65 GT 20' my winter project

[REDSLED88]

Originally Posted by Panama Red

Steve, I was discussing this with a friend on here the other day, concerned over what someone might say about their belly pan repair... My solution was to invite the first person to look at it, and when they got down on all fours to look, kick them as hard as you can, right in their junk. One or two of those, and NOBODY wants to look at your belly pan any more.

-Red, problem solver...

Great Idea red.... I'll keep that one in my back pocket!

[HiHoAgRV]

If you don't want anyone to see a flawed bellypan, just tell them that you have a leaky black tank and it tends to dribble from the pans various perfect seams. They will take your word that it's perfect...

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

If you don't want anyone to see a flawed bellypan, just tell them that you have a leaky black tank and it tends to dribble from the pans various perfect seams. They will take your word that it's perfect...

Great idea... Much less violent than mine. I recommend keeping mine as a backup, just in case they insist...

Hope you get back on the project soon.

-Red, tee 'em up...

[tevake]

So Shelly. I mean Dena. :-). Seems you have had a little time away from your project, if not totally lost in the clouds Are your savings and spirits rising for the next round of belly pan challenges?
Once this is done and behind you, you will be stronger and even better equipped to carry on with the rest of your GT 20 restoration.

If your spirits need even more of a lift, perhaps you would consider joining me as navigator aboard my 345 Moho for a cruise in mid April from Az up to Colorado for the airstream motorhome gathering. I would enjoy the company, and there may be a vintage trailer group joining us there in Colo. Springs. Could be some inspiration there.
And most likely lots of blue skies to further lift the spirits

PM. Me if you would like to discuss details.

At any rate I and others here are standing by for updates when your winter project is back under way. And looking forward to seeing you getting the shell back on your refreshed chassis.

Cheers Richard

[thumbelinadj]

Well I have been to NYC twice, DC twice and Vegas once in my first four weeks of my new job at Equinix.

Today I was able to find time to pick up the banana wraps from Dreamers Rods and Pickups . If you remember they were a mess. Big dents as you see in the before.

Tomorrow my friend Larry that lives far away is going to help me finish the belly pan. Hope we flip the chassis!

Missing you all and the work on the airstream. Dena

[dbj216]

Glad to hear from you. Our "day jobs" sure get in the way of our Airstream projects! Traveling is like working 24 hour days. But I plan on leaving my winter gig soon and I can get the 86 ready for a spring time Airstream adventure to the southeast. Your time will come.

I hope you can get those pretty banana wraps mounted and the belly pan nailed down this weekend. A pretty full plate if you ask me. I'll be down in my rented garage this weekend pushing my polisher around. I have about 120 hours in it and still counting. Mindless, boring work. No wonder it is expensive to subcontract.

Have fun...

David

[thumbelinadj]

After Undoing some work, we dry fit the banana wraps. I learned the method of the buck rivet to attach the banana wraps. This is dry fit. What a day! I miss the shop oh so much.

[dbj216]

I have never hammered a rivet against a bucking bar. I've seen it done at Jackson Center and understand the concept. I've seen old movies where construction workers are riveting together some big bridge girders and using air or steam powered hammers to bang hot steel rivets tight. But I've never done it. One of these days! Solid bucked rivets are the strongest, and the cheapest rivet. Olympic "tri-fold" rivets are on the opposite side as weaker and expensive.

It is such fun and satisfying work to build something with your own two hands. A vintage Airstream rebuild is a classic example of doing it all. Planning, material selection, cut and fit and finish assembly. Mechanical, plumbing, electrical, carpentry. There are major highs and lows of such a large project. I have a good friend who farms, built his own house and machine shed, restores old sports cars, and is a licensed mechanical engineer. We have a saying in Iowa: "Don't judge a person by what they have, judge them by what they don't need." It is very satisfying doing it yourself!

You are close to flipping your frame sunny side up. Maybe in a weekend or two.

David

[Aerowood]

Originally Posted by dbj216

I have never hammered a rivet against a bucking bar. I've seen it done at Jackson Center and understand the concept. I've seen old movies where construction workers are riveting together some big bridge girders and using air or steam powered hammers to bang hot steel rivets tight. But I've never done it. One of these days! Solid bucked rivets are the strongest, and the cheapest rivet. Olympic "tri-fold" rivets are on the opposite side as weaker and expensive.



It is such fun and satisfying work to build something with your own two hands. A vintage Airstream rebuild is a classic example of doing it all. Planning, material selection, cut and fit and finish assembly. Mechanical, plumbing, electrical, carpentry. There are major highs and lows of such a large project. I have a good friend who farms, built his own house and machine shed, restores old sports cars, and is a licensed mechanical engineer. We have a saying in Iowa: "Don't judge a person by what they have, judge them by what they don't need." It is very satisfying doing it yourself!



You are close to flipping your frame sunny side up. Maybe in a weekend or two.



David

Why don't you just swing by my place and I'll show you how to buck rivets. Colorado isn't that far away

[thumbelinadj]

I'll be right over on my gulfstream! Actually I will send it you, pick you up and chain you to the carlift until you finish all the work I need done

[dbj216]

Aerowood on the Airstream chain gang! Thumbelina would put a bowl of swill and water out for you now and then, as well as a box of solid rivets.

David

[Aerowood]

So sorry, I don't do house calls Dena

[gdod25]

Thumbelinadj pick me up on your way to Aerowoods.

[thumbelinadj]

Will do!

[thumbelinadj]

Good Morning! Video time lapse of the work I have been doing here. My friend took the SD card and put this together last night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsvI...ature=youtu.be

[dbj216]

Holy cow thumbelina! Great video. You will give folks the impression there is nothing to this Airstream renovation thing.

So when do you plan to marry the shell to the new frame?

David

[thumbelinadj]

Next weekend! I'm off to SanFran for work this week.

[thumbelinadj]

We completed the belly pan and chassis work with the exception of a few minor items I can manage from under. We flip the trailer today and position under the Shell. Some work to do topside over the next few weeks.

The angel shop owner is back from winter in Arizona so it is time to get it rolling out to her next place. Not found yet. My driveway works too. Sad to leave the awesome five month home we have. But very grateful.

[dbj216]

I gotta move out of my rented garage in a month. There is nothing better than a big shop. Maybe you will find something else. But angel's shop was sure nice!

Well, your frame went from over easy to sunny side up. Good. Won't be long before the shell is attached. Did one of your helpers rivet the windows back in? I'm polishing with difficulty now, but I've got to get my Trade Wind weather tight. That's my next project.

David

[thumbelinadj]

Holy smokes. What a day. Moving all the parts! Go to my facebook for more details. It's Glamper Girl.

My longtime friends were beyond shocked as only one has ever been in the shop. The had no idea how crazy and hard the work was. I feel better. Never do your own belly pan when you are an amateur. It stole my soul. I hate the way it looks but it will be fine. The shell has a frame on the bottom ribs and I placed a two by four on the opposite side of door to keep shell level. Moving on. Please send me all your advice on attaching the shell. Love to you all Happy Sunday.