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Pillow · 09-09-2012, 08:46 PM

Dent!

Man that is ugly! Let try and do something about it.

First remove the panel covering the dent. These tools are excellent for panel removal and should be available to you at most any good specialty lumber yard or Home Depot.

Panels are held on with a combination of tacks (what I consider pins or pinning) and a few small screws. Be slow and careful and you will have no problems removing the panels.

Enter our mystery guest! The tapered metal roller wheel, borrowed from my engine stand. You can find stand alone wheels at any hardware store - be sure it is tapered/rounded and not flat.

By using your hands to push out and the roller you will end up with this...

The old black glue will stick to the wheel, so keep the wheel lubricated with WD-40 or some other oil to prevent gumming. The glue was more of a problem than I first realized, the outer AL is now "bumpy" from the glue lumps being pressed on the inside. Warning: in the future I will remove the glue before using the roller. This panel was fairly beaten so not a major loss, it is better but not "nice" the way I like things. Eventually this panel will be replaced. Again it had a huge dent, so I figured it would be wrinkled somehow no matter what. No loss, but not a great win either.

Pillow · 09-09-2012, 08:54 PM

A couple as she sits pics!

The large order from Dyers should be in this week! I should be able to finish most of the wiring and get on the plumbing.

Vintage Trailer Supply is back ordered on the reproduction H2O-2 door handles, so they will have to wait a few more weeks.

Although I think I am making good progress... There is still A LOT to get done! Whew!

rebelstand · 09-10-2012, 06:54 AM

You progress is huge!

Pillow · 09-11-2012, 06:48 AM

Thanks again McCrosti and Nicki!

Last night some of the order from Dyers arrived, so I could work on a few items.

No pictures, but the propane tanks are in! Trailer wiring harness is in! (but not tested)

... I can't find a good spot to mount the breakaway switch/harness/battery thing. So that is on hold at the moment.

I still need the plumbing goodies to make more big leaps forward... Friday.

As always, more to come!

rebelstand · 09-12-2012, 10:54 AM

your progress is in leaps and bounds!

Pillow · 09-20-2012, 08:09 AM

Updates:

The AL vents arrived. So I can start work on the roof. Check out this thread for the super cool AL vents: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f455...cap-60573.html

Propane tanks installed! The dirty tanks are empty and have been replaced by clean white tanks as trade in. What is funny in our area is that it is cheaper to use the "trade-in" program than refilling the tanks! Plus you get a shinny freshly painted tank to boot.

The under trailer view of the gas line:

Also the 12v wiring junction box has been installed with a new 7 pin umbilical cord.

Be very careful in your connections as most of the Chinese plastic parts are mislabeled on the pinout! Grrr.

The support crew! They will come out and read stories to me while I work. Some kids books are better than others. And I could probably recite a few Dr Suess stories.

Pillow · 09-20-2012, 08:27 AM

Time for brakes! I should say restoration of the wiring and moving parts. The wiring was plain old wrecked! All new wiring has been installed. The actual brakes themselves are fine, not bad for a 1948 item! These Warner brakes were made to last.

You will see one "unobtainium" part in these systems though. In theory they should be fine, but one of mine had been broken. The part is a brass threaded rod that conducts the electricity to the brakes. There is a formed in "nut" to keep everything in place and tight. I had to fabricate a new rod from stainless steel to match, which thankfully our local True Value had all the parts needed and great customer service.

Currently the right side is done and the pictures below are from the restoration.

A car battery is an excellent 12v tool to test the brakes

IMO a bottle jack is a great way to lift these monsters slowly and safely.

Finished:

Although not very evident, the grease fittings have been cleaned and re-lubed for smooth miles down the road.

Pillow · 09-20-2012, 09:52 AM

Vintage Warner Brake manual:

http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/cC9bUNF...r%20brakes.pdf

Pillow · 09-20-2012, 01:33 PM

All the information you ever wanted to know on Shellac!

The World's Finest Shellac Flake Delivered to Your Door

In the next few weeks I will need to deal with finding a Shellac color that matches the current patina.

Maybe I will just send them an interior birch piece as an example to figure out what color matches best...

Why Shellac you ask? Because that is what is original and hasn't done that badly over the years. Newer finishes like Poly don't hold up.

Edit: My local "city" paint store does not carry oil based anything due to changes in VOC regulations. But, my local "country" paint store carries pre-mixed Clear and Amber Shellac, no flakes.

rebelstand · 09-26-2012, 07:24 PM

keep on going!

Pillow · 09-27-2012, 09:58 AM

Thanks Nicki... I'm at the point where I am starting to freak out a bit on the time crunch

I just returned from Dallas last night, so you all should have some new pics soon.

Last night I rebuilt the shower faucet/valve, but figured it wasn't exciting enough to take pictures of. If you have rebuilt any faucet at all, you know how simple it is especially for older ones with basically just one gasket to replace.

Knock on wood, but I think the plumbing should be finished this weekend. It has been a real time killer planning the drain system and obtaining the right parts that work with the "old holes".

I made my final purchases this week from Vintage Campers and Vintage Trailer Supply. Soon we should see repo Bargmann H2O handles and some unobtainium Warner brake parts in the mail.

This morning I picked up the lone worn out brake shoe from the reliners... $139 later for ONE shoe getting relined! But again unobtainium otherwise. Granted labor is the major cost on these things.

... I feel broke at the moment. All the parts this week are close to a grand! But that should be the last round of large purchases. Stay tuned for the install pics!

rebelstand · 10-03-2012, 09:49 AM

waiting on those pics

Pillow · 10-04-2012, 08:51 AM

LOL I am a little behind on the plumbing... It has been a nightmare. Plus a few days of rain delays have not helped matters either.

Friday a "compact" PEX crimp tool should arrive to finish the PEX connections where the normal Zurn crimps do not fit. The drain lines are in and I just need to run the "under belly" discharge PVC/ABS pipes. Basically it will all come together at once

Other than that... I need to make incredible progress in the next few weeks! Ahhhhh!!!!

Items left: Electrical, Flooring, replacement panels and trim. All time killers.

BUT! As it sits, the Mansion is still campable. Everything added is just luxuries at this point... Minimalist expectations can be met. lol

rebelstand · 10-04-2012, 10:15 AM

plumbing is always a nightmare.... ask shawn about the kitchen sink in Minerva...

Pillow · 10-11-2012, 07:42 AM

More on the brakes. Everything is installed and works

I had the old shoe relined... $138 later for one shoe! But what are you going to do on this unobtainium stuff! Also the center magnetic ring was sourced from Vintage Campers.

And that is enough on the brakes! LOL time killers, but nothing too complicated.

Pillow · 10-11-2012, 07:49 AM

Toilet time!

4" PVC pipe is a good template for a hole.

Flange installed

Installed! Two bolts and you are done. This is the ever popular Dometic toilet.

Connection was from 1/2 PEX to a 1/4 turn cut off valve to a standard toilet 3/8 to 1/2 SS connector hose. Not really pictured.

Pillow · 10-11-2012, 07:59 AM

General plumbing installation with PEX.

The basic fittings needed are here. I only added to this 2 90 degree fittings IIRC. So the basics are easy.

4 of these.

Hose of course. I like mine color coded.

Off ebay I got this tight quarters PEX crimp that does 3/4 and 1/2 fittings. Very well made!!! Made in USA by a small shop craftsman, highly recommended!

The install shots!

The rebuilt shower valve.

The water heater overflow valve drains to the ground.

Under sink.

Time killer!!! But it is done right.

Pillow · 10-11-2012, 08:07 AM

A few sewer drain shots.

Note no black water tank. No 3" P-trap (no room, it would drag). The 2" shower drain should seal to prevent sewer stench... Same with the toilet which is self sealing.

Primer was used for all PVC connections. NO PRIMER can be used on the ABS parts. Glue was PVC Medium Duty and then the red bottle of "all purpose" for the PVC to ABS joins.

Not pictured. The pipe was hung with metal strap to secure it to the undercaraige.

Pillow · 10-11-2012, 08:14 AM

Floor time fun.

The old floor is out! The floor has been completely re-decked with 3/8 ply... I should have used 1/2 in hindsight. The new flooring will be CVT tile and will be pictured installed this weekend.

Groovy Pink!

Tool bucket! The two tools I mainly used are shown on top.

Pillow · 10-11-2012, 08:18 AM

Note: My floor is pitiful. Worse than I ever thought at first... I just need it to hold up about 8 years, then I can take the time to do a body off complete redecking... And probably a completely remodeled interior at the same time.