New Member... homemade "airstream"

[wildhorses]

Nice work! You've got me motivated to build one!

[Rgentum]

Wow, awesome, impressive --- squared!!!

I feel comfortable working in wood or steel but am envious of your remarkable sheetmetal work. Your wheelcovers, for example, are simply fabulous.

[Picinisco]

Phenomenal. Why so short?

[Rgentum]

As for treating your marine ply, I've been involved with wood boats since the age of 10. The best wood preservative I've found so far is Cuprinol, if you can still find it in the US. Due to environmental rules enacted in years past, you may have to order it from Europe (if it can be imported). Alternatively, ask some of the marine lumber dealers. In the Seattle area, that's Crosscut Hardwoods & Edensaw Woods:
http://www.crosscuthardwoods.com/
http://www.edensaw.com/
There should be comparable dealers in your New England locale.

Again, tears come to my eyes looking at your photos. You've done really remarkable sheetmetal work, of which you should feel quite justifiably proud.

[mimiandrews]

Awesome metal work!

[ellenbelle]

That's really impressive! Careful... Airstream might want to hire you!

[NorCal Matt]

That's one hell of a first post! Welcome, can't wait to see what you do with the inside.

[Lily&Me]

Wow!!!

You are one talented young man.


Maggie

[stutsmanj]

Even with resources, I envy your skill!

[franklyfrank]

Originally Posted by toreadorxlt

dont know how purist this place is, but i figured id share my project... I just bought a bunch of aluminum and steel and was heavily inspired by the 1958 'der Kleiner Prinz" and decided to give it a go. Joining to ask questions and get inspired and borrow ideas from people . I can help with most metal shaping questions that many have.

big compass

lots of bending
forming panels... each slice of the end took me 3 hours on an english wheel and pullmax.

by far the hardest part to build...
Frame

wooden buck to form wheel wells
all one piece of .050 3003-h14

Marine grade exterior ply as the floor... I need to treat the bottom... any suggestions?

Vintage plymouth bumper, hehr windows... etc... I need to form window visors and such next..



Does anybody have suggestions as to what to use for the large inner structure for sealing? Im talking about covering the aluminum skeleton and rivets? Airstream seemed to use a Tar like substance.. and aside from using 20 tubes of sikaflex I can't fathom using tar...

Great job ! I wouldn't have the patience to see it trough .

[RamRider]

Wow!

[Airlovr]

BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
"the minibar"

[kdickinson]

Very nice!

[USAtraveler]

Very nice work, Tor. You are truly insane. Hard to beat Silkaflex. I assume you can buy it at a discount from the local building supplier; no need to track down and pay a premium to FedEx delivery of non-stock stuff.

[fairtheewell]

That is art. Thank you for sharing.

[3wd67rg]

My oldest son Christopher would LOVE this project! He loves working with metals.

[martin300662]

Great concept, beautifully executed!

[openroad118]

AWESOME! Would love to be your neighbor. I was a tin bender in the Marine Corps but we didn't get to build our own airplanes.

[streaminwild]

Incredible first post. You are a aluminum artist. Airstream can learn a thing or two from you toreadorxlt. Marine plywood is ONE. Shepard...the name has a nice ring to it.

[Hittenstiehl]

Ditto!!!

Even if this forum was full of purists, which it's not, your work would still be impressive.

There is a great appreciation here for creativity, skills, building, tools and shops.

Those wheels well covers are works of art.