1984 Airstream 345 owner (Newbie) need advice!

[SteSpot]

[QUOTE=Keyair;1363942]What is more frustrating is other peoples lack of progress....

You aren't talking about my lack of progress are you? p

[Keyair]

LOL, no.... but are you feeling guilty too?

[SteSpot]

Originally Posted by Keyair

LOL, no.... but are you feeling guilty too?

Yep! How is your eye? p

[Keyair]

LOL,
Eye is ongoing. The second round of injections might work the Doc hopes, but if not its surgery in November to seal the leaking vessel.
Seems that my eye and the Airstream have more in common than I first thought... both leak where they shouldn't!

I was over at the MH today with the GF, we locked it all down in anticipation of the rain forecast this week.

We also put the new interior AC covers we got from Dean(Dadstoy), and Derek(CrazyVW)!

Thanks Guys!

[dadstoy]

Originally Posted by Keyair

LOL,
Eye is ongoing. The second round of injections might work the Doc hopes, but if not its surgery in November to seal the leaking vessel.
Seems that my eye and the Airstream have more in common than I first thought... both leak where they shouldn't!

I was over at the MH today with the GF, we locked it all down in anticipation of the rain forecast this week.

We also put the new interior AC covers we got from Dean(Dadstoy), and Derek(CrazyVW)!

Thanks Guys!

You're welcome Steve! Oh, and not feeling guilty myself as I sit here in the MH tonight at the ranch. All is done! Well, that's a bit of a white lie since owning an Airstream is a never ending task! I love this time of year here, 80 degree weather. I'm still cleaning up from another successful Burning Man. Wishing that Alex and I could make our annual trip to Yosemite next month, but politics seems to have gotten in the way this year!

[Keyair]

Nice!
We I hope you have time for another report on BM... I enjoyed the last one!

I must be weird... I kinda look forward to rain... we have not had any since May I think.. I go to the Airstream and sit inside listen and looking for leaks... I did a bunch of sealing in the last year and I want to know if I was successful!

[Isuzusweet]

The only thing better than knowing your sealing attempts were successful is knowing that should another leak appear, it doesn't matter, as the flooring material you used is impervious to water.

Cheers
Tony

[Keyair]

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

The only thing better than knowing your sealing attempts were successful is knowing that should another leak appear, it doesn't matter, as the flooring material you used is impervious to water.

Cheers
Tony

Refresh me on what you used?

A quick update...
Had to make some space in my garage and clear out some stuff that might get hurt by Welding or grinding sparks...
Just because the Airstream is on a slower track for a bit, doesn't mean there is nothing going on!
The Range Rover seats fell into that category, so I loaded them up and took them back for a quick test fit and storage...

Made a template of the seat pedestal, and figured out the best way to mount the new seat...
Now I can cut the steel and fab up the interface bracket.

Some teaser pics...





The seat is sitting too low, and I will need to lift it about 4", but the size looks good, and my goodness they will be more comfortable than what was there. A recolor to a tan or mocha is in the works too.

[DaveFL]

Originally Posted by Keyair

The seat is sitting too low, and I will need to lift it about 4", but the size looks good, and my goodness they will be more comfortable than what was there. A recolor to a tan or mocha is in the works too.

--------------------------------------------------
Original chassis gets delivered with a box with parts needed for completion maybe you can use space for parts too.

Happy to see your posts that solutions for your eye are available, years ago experienced temporary blinding due to dust with insecticide and sun exposure, gave me a better insight to sight loss, now I feel worse after doing something that I didn't take enough precautions to protect the eyes.
Take care,
Dave

[Keyair]

Thanks for the well wishes etc.

Well, things are just not getting better for now.
Eye pressure was too high, so drops to control that, and awaiting surgery plan. With the holidays so close, it was just not possible to get the timing together, so we are looking at the next month.

Its sooo frustrating... some days are better than others with the vision. Even computer use is limited.... today is better so...

Update time!


Not much direct AS progress, but some updates on stuff I have been up to with help...

My Alfa needs new carpets, interior and details...
My mother was over from England and helped me with the selection, testing and purchase of an Industrial Sewing machine. She is an Seamstress and artisan for 60years plus... It where I get my genes from! Always wanted one and admired what trimmers do.
The longer term plan will be to retrim the AS to my personal tastes, so its connected!
Anyway, the new tool is a Cutsew CS-206, which is a rebadged Consew 206rb1. Its an industrial strength compound feed walking foot machine, that is well respected, and capable of sewing leather up to 3/8th thick if needed.
It was in great shape and already has an new 1/2hp servo motor.




Its a beast, so we changed the pulley down to a smaller one for less speed and more torque and control...


My mother began laying down some nice test stitches...
Vinyl...


Really thick leather...


Then she showed me how to make a parking brake gaiter...
After stitching the 2 leather halves together face to face...


Then opened out and French stitched with contrasting thread that matches the upholstery in the alfa....


She even showed me the basics of fancy stitching...


Then showed me how to bind carpet edges....

[Keyair]

Also, some months ago, my frustration with my small HF media blast cabinet spilled over, as its too small to do things I need.
I began watching CL...

A good sized Dee-Blast Model 38 came up....
About 1/2 tank of gas, and some cash bargaining secured it...
Its was Ugly, not feeding media into the gun... gloves were toast, window was out, and one extraction motor was not working..





Note the last picture... yes that is glass bead media stacked to within 2" of the grate in the hopper!
Maybe 150lb of the stuff... impacted like rock!.... maybe because the PO had no moisture trap on his compressor!
Took us an hour to get it out and lighten it enough to lift into the truck!

Anyway... the media is worth more than I paid for the unit!

So, by trading with a buddy of mine who needed some media blasting....
The Dee-Blast got a makeover...
Some TLC, paint, a motor strip and clean, a wheeled base was added.

Now...

[Keyair]

Also another cheap CL find ..
It was on my list as a MH makeover necessity

A 30" HF 3 in 1 metal machine...
Sheet metal brake, shear and slip roll.



Again it got some TLC, and paint...


Done.


It will need some more fine tuning when my eyes are better, but some test pieces confirmed its abilities...



Test pieces done...Left to right...
20g steel Sheared, then folded with the brake.
Piece of straight 1/4 rod, rolled into a circle.
20g aluminum sheet, sheared then rolled into a tube.


Like I said, not much progress on the AS, but a little trading and simple tasks has added functionality to the workshop for the future!

[wxbuoy]

Sweet!! Have thiught anout getting a riller and brake. You find all the cool stuff!!

Nice sewing machine as well. I need to invest in one as well to do the interior.

[Keyair]

Originally Posted by wxbuoy

Sweet!! Have thiught anout getting a riller and brake. You find all the cool stuff!!

Nice sewing machine as well. I need to invest in one as well to do the interior.

Smell check Dave? LOL!

[wxbuoy]

Phone too small, fingers too fat, eyes to poor, oh well!

Besides, what i lack in typing ability I also lack in mechanical comprehension

[Keyair]

Originally Posted by wxbuoy

Phone too small, fingers too fat, eyes to poor, oh well!

Besides, what i lack in typing ability I also lack in mechanical comprehension

LOL... I hear ya!

[Keyair]

A while back, I picked up a HF 4 x 6 vertical/horizontal bandsaw in need of some TLC...
This is how it was...


We fixed its issues(mostly), made some mods(more to come), added a wheeled base, and a fresh coat of paint. Missed some paint in some areas... a function of not seeing well!

Anyway, now I will be able to cut stuff better than before...

[Isuzusweet]

Is it just me or did others have to look at the top banner to see if they were still on the "Airstream" forum and not on "Tools are Us". 8 posts….24 images and the letters AS used once.

I'm glad to hear the eye is doing better mate as you'd want to be a might bit careful with your mitts around some of that hardware.

Keep up the good work on the AIRSTREAM CLASSIC MH.
Cheers
Tony

PS Hope your Mum has a safe holiday and safer trip back across the pond………long bloody flight to be holed up in a tin can if you ask me. If I was your Mum I'd be asking to meet you halfway………say DC.

Which reminds me of the old WWII tale of a family in the UK, who decided to send the chiclets to family in Toronto Canada to escape the blitz. They telegramed the folks in TO the peticulars on when the kids would arrive in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada and could the family in Toronto be on hand to pick them up?………………………The telegram sent back from Toronto was short and to the point. "You pick them up, as you are closer" It's very difficult for people from the UK to fathom how big North America really is.

[Keyair]

I know, I know...
But the reality is that's it is all moving forward.... just in a zigzag pattern!

The headlamp castings need refinishing... hence the Blast cabinet!
The Blast cabinet is refinished... behold the Headlamp casting!
Free of paint and junk on all sides because there is space to turn it!



So it is ready to Powdercoat almost..

So we did a test yesterday on a Big block valve cover casting that I wanted to practice on...
Aluminum castings need to be heated to about 450deg F to "Outgas" ...
It was a fail...

All I have is an Eastwood Infra Red curing lamp for larger parts.
Seen here doing some Alfa stuff...


I left it on the valve cover for 20 mins.. up close.
Never reached more than 300deg... I think the mass of the aluminum casting was wicking heat away too fast.
Powder needs closer to 400deg to cure and also it is suggested to run up to 450 to prep the casting and cleanse the pores of junk...

The Headlamp casting are much bigger... so its not gonna work..

I did some research.
Many home powdercoaters use retired home ovens... or many of their parts have been used inside a new home made cabinet...
CL was consulted and a suitable oven was found...
The price was right.... FREE!

Behold... a working Frigidaire Double Electric Oven... both ovens have convection, and broiling elements!


Seems we have some work to do before the castings can be powdercoated...

All Airstream related... you will see!

[streamquest]

Steve,

That oven looks good enough to be in most peoples homes! I was going to suggest looking for a used restaurant sized pizza oven that would give you a lot of depth and door width.

Amazing work on the tool refurbishing!

Good to see you back at it.

Charly