Dale and Terry get a '66 Tradewind

[dbj216]

Misery loves company. Nice to hear I'm not the only one who has had difficulty with attaching plastic laminate. I did some homework (knowledge is power) and learned I must to the edges of the counter top first. I learned they sell a "slitter" tool designed specifically for cutting narrow strips for edges. I also learned I can use my "Rotozip" bits, which I call milling bits as they cut on their diameters, and cut narrow pieces that way. I've used the wooden dowel method to keep the laminate out of the glue until I have it positioned. Then I pull the dowels out starting in the center. I learned that using a board and a towel to press the laminate into the glue is better than a J rubber roller that I was using.

I have 4 pieces I must laminate here this next week. I'll probable learn some new cuss word sequences doing it. I might even try flinging a failed piece into the far corner of the shop. Good idea.

David

[Camper Crazy]

Hard to believe your lack of experience, that turned out fabulous!
CC

[Ultraclassic]

Originally Posted by Bubba L

Good idea Wayne. I need to get me some slats. I have a whole stack of the wood yardsticks they tend to give away periodically at the box stores that I use. I like the slat idea better. Thanks

Also wood dowel rods work good too.

[Slats]

Originally Posted by TouringDan

Slats

I was zoning in on your beautiful Formica work and see that you installed an Isotherm fridge. That is on my wish list. Is it a compressor fridge? What is the model number?

I too really like the white Formica with the walnut.

Dan

Hi Dan -


It is an Isotherm Cruise 130 Clean Touch Stainless Steel model. It is quite, cools really well and makes nice ice cubes in fairly short order. It also looks cool and compliments the Furrion gas range across the way. I built a platform for it so that it would be more easily accessed. The storage area created under the platform is not the best, but who cares? (At least who cares until who does, as in when we actually get on the road and miss a more efficient storage area.)

[Slats]

Here's the latest installment in the Formica follies.

[dbj216]

Thanks for the photos of the formica follies. It is a great looking galley countertop in your Trade Wind. Any troubles applying the plastic to the plywood? I bet you used Slats to to the job. Wait, that's you.

We've got this job coming up real soon.

David

[Dwwalker18]

That looks awesome!

[Slats]

Thanks, Dan. Of course, you can’t see the shims.

And David, as you might expect, I stayed away from using slats, employing 1/2” wooden dowels, instead. They worked great.

[rmkrum]

One really great tool for applying laminate is to use several old mini blind or Venetian blind slats to support the laminate whilst you align it.

[Atomic_13]

Dale - the cabinetry and countertops are looking great! Once things settle down with the pandemic us KC area airstream restorers should meet up again. I’d enjoy seeing everyone’s progress in person.

[BURNZEE]

I'd also like to meet again. I'm getting close to having my Safari road worthy. Maybe September?

[Atomic_13]

Bryan, good to hear from you. Can’t recall, what year is your Safari? Looking forward to seeing it.

[BURNZEE]

It's a 66.

[Atomic_13]

Sharp looking trailer, Bryan

[TouringDan]

Very nice Safari. Love seeing just the vents on top without an A/C ruining the lines. Of course I am biased.

Dan

[Slats]

Brian and Bryan -

Let’s indeed get together this fall, hopefully with no second wave messing up our plans. The Roasterie parking lot gives us plenty of room for social distance and coffee sipping. The same goes for Danny’s new man cave - make that cavern - adjoining the parking lot, where he now parks his company Airstream and Priscilla, his diesel-pusher Airstream.

[BURNZEE]

I also prefer the no AC look, but I'm getting ready to put one up there. . At least till I can wheel to places with milder temps.

[TouringDan]

Originally Posted by BURNZEE

I also prefer the no AC look, but I'm getting ready to put one up there. . At least till I can wheel to places with milder temps.

My 5k AC rides in the bottom of a closet until I need it. It takes about 10 minutes to install. We typically camp in the mountains or northern Michigan so we usually don’t need AC.

I have a thread in the AC section from about 5 years ago.

Dan

[Joyflea]

Looking nice , good work .

[Slats]

Been laying low, sort of. We sold our home of 31 years, got rid of that many years worth of accumulated stuff in our attic, basement and garage, bought a condo and moved. The toll it took on my head was a little surprising. Glad we didn't wait any longer to pull the whole thing off. I can't imagine doing it ten years down the road. But I've come back up for air and am getting back into plunking away on the trailer. Finally got that chimney bell mounted as level as could reasonably be expected. Replaced the valves in the propane tanks today and started prepping the tanks for painting. Also ordered a 42 gal. fresh water tank. Good to be back.