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NorCal Bambi · 05-17-2006, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by malconium

Don,

The rivit nuts look like a great idea! I can envision some places where I could use them when I get a little furnther along in my remodel.

For fiberglass holes maybe you could use a plastic expansion type of nut with a little epoxy applied around the outside when you insert it. Tighten up the screw so the nut spreads out behind the fiberglass and holds tightly in place while the epoxy sets up.

Malcolm

Sounds like a good idea. I'll try and let you know how it works.
Don

NorCal Bambi · 05-17-2006, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65GT

Don,

My awning anchor points nearly all pulled away on me at the end of last year. I used rivet nuts to remount the awning successfully even though the pull throughs left the holes in the skin looking more like shattered glass. I don't have time to post it now, but I probably have ~10 photos that I'll need to get ready. I think it was a pretty slick repair although I wasn't meticulous about it.

I'll post that stuff tonight, but if you want to do fiberglass I'd just suggest that you first glue a large diameter aluminum washer directly behind your mount hole on the fiberglass and maybe a small one on the front that matches your rivet nut diameter. That way your expansion won't get much larger than that backside washer and the crush action should just pull your backside washer tight against the front. Just a thought -- your mileage my vary...

__

Your solution would be the best. I wish I would have thought of it when I had the shell out of the trailer. This would be a great suggestion to pass on to those starting a restoration. If you don't mind I'll pass your idea along when I see someone starting a restoration.
Thanks Don

crazylev · 05-17-2006, 08:41 AM

Don.

Seeing that first shot of the end panel up shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel er....Airstream. And the woodwork in progress!!!

Paint job looks great, as does the plumbing.

Really cool.

Jonathan

NorCal Bambi · 05-17-2006, 01:14 PM

These first pictures are of the couch before restoration.

NorCal Bambi · 05-17-2006, 02:06 PM

Here are the dimensions of the plywood base to the couch. The plywood is 73'x29 5/16"x1/4". The leading trim edge is 73"x 3 1/2"x3/4". The plywood fits in a Dado groove that is 1" from the top of the leading edge trim. The depth of the Dado is 7/16" See photos. Two photos show how sliders are attached to the plywood base.
Don

NorCal Bambi · 05-17-2006, 02:13 PM

The plywood base of the street side bed slides out on wooden sliders. Picture #1 shows the slider parts with one of the sliders in a slightly out position. The center piece in the slider is a stop device, so the bed can only come out so far. The sliders are only attached to the back frame and the plywood base. This is so the plywood base can be slightly lifted when the bed is slid out or pushed back in. If you have any other questions let me know.
Don

RichardT · 05-17-2006, 08:53 PM

Wow thank you for the detailed info!

NorCal Bambi · 05-18-2006, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65GT

Don, I started a new thread on the repair I did here:

http://www.airforums.com/forum...irs-22835.html

__

Great new thread. I'm sure many will use your information in the future. I will try this tomarrow.
Don

GlenCoombe · 05-20-2006, 06:53 AM

Saturday 9:30a.m. DIY network Vintage Airstream Cork Flooring episode.

NorCal Bambi · 05-22-2006, 10:08 PM

Well, it's starting to look like a Bambi again. I've been refinishing the original interior walls and furniture. Two of the original wall panels were in good enough condition that they could be refinished. The rest were replaced with new plywood. Water had attacked the original panels and the plywood had separated up the wall as much as a foot. The rest of the solid oak wood used in the cabinets and beds was still in good condition. After the iron stains from the water was removed they were re-stained and finished with varathane. All walls needed a process of refitting. Today I spent considerable finishing the hook up of the electrical. And much to my pleasure, it all works. We have keep close to the original color scheme. We have made several subtle changes. I think it looks better. I've included a few pictures so you might see how its coming.
Don

CaddyGrn · 05-23-2006, 05:27 PM

Don, This is sure looking good to me!

Camping, camping, camping....

A-Merry-Can · 05-24-2006, 08:26 PM

awesome work, man! gives motivation to the temporarily sidlined restoreres such as myself! ha!

you wanna watch a newborn for a week or so so's i can get back to work?

jp

NorCal Bambi · 05-24-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A-Merry-Can

awesome work, man! gives motivation to the temporarily sidlined restoreres such as myself! ha!

you wanna watch a newborn for a week or so so's i can get back to work?

jp

Thanks. One of my newborns is pushing 25 and the other is pushing 40. A newborn grandchild would be cool. My distractions are aches, pains, loss of memory. and general distractions. Somehow a newborn doesn't sound bad.

See how much we forget as time passes.
Don

NorCal Bambi · 05-24-2006, 09:02 PM

Did I speak to soon the other day? I ran a second check yesterday and found a problem. Everything worked when hooked up to shore power. However when I disconnected the 110 the converter "chirped" three times and nothing happened. No 12 Volt stuff. Today I got out the ohm meter and started checking. I found that the battery was no longer connected to the converter. Something had come undone inside the shells. So I ran a new battery wire. Everything works fine now. The pictures of the day includes: 1. The converter in the closet area. 2. The pull out double bed with the slide out top installed. 3. Current work on the shower/toilet stall.
Don

NorCal Bambi · 05-24-2006, 09:05 PM

When working on my Bambi one of the thing I found was a 1963 Penny. The cool thing I found today was under the upholstery on the front edge of the double bed. It was the word "Bambi" as a part identification written by one of the original factory workers of the time. Picture attached
Don

NorCal Bambi · 05-25-2006, 12:56 PM

Well I just bought my second trailer a 55 Flying Cloud. I plan on restoring this trailer also. From what I've picked up on some of the threads, the 50's trailers are built different than the 63. Open to input form one and all. I'll include some pictures once I get it home.
Don

uwe · 05-25-2006, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Bambi

Well I just bought my second trailer a 55 Flying Cloud. I plan on restoring this trailer also. From what I've picked up on some of the threads, the 50's trailers are built different than the 63. Open to input form one and all. I'll include some pictures once I get it home.
Don

Don,

right on! The Flying Clouds are beautiful trailers. My friend has a 57 that's just fantastic. Another friend has a 55 that's going to be rehabbed soon, and yet another friend just bought a 55 Safari, which is somewhat similar to the Flying Cloud, at least in size.
The biggest differences I see is in the frame sizing, and tongue dimensions. The 55 Safari I saw a few days ago had a very short and very narrow tongue, making use of WD equipment questionable.
However, with your set of skills and dedication, none of that will be a problem....

wkerfoot · 05-25-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Bambi

Well I just bought my second trailer a 55 Flying Cloud. I plan on restoring this trailer also. From what I've picked up on some of the threads, the 50's trailers are built different than the 63. Open to input form one and all. I'll include some pictures once I get it home.
Don

Don,

Yes, on my 1954 Liner the tongue was quite a bit shorter than my 1979 Safari and the weight distributing brackets were up against the body. I extended the tongue and replaced the 2" coupler with a 2 5/16" coupler. This also required that the frame needed to be bent to meet the angle on the new coupler. You can see a picture of the new coupler at: http://www.airforums.com/forum...07-post33.html

Bill

CaddyGrn · 05-25-2006, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Bambi

Well I just bought my second trailer a 55 Flying Cloud. I plan on restoring this trailer also. From what I've picked up on some of the threads, the 50's trailers are built different than the 63. Open to input form one and all. I'll include some pictures once I get it home.
Don

Does anyone out there have any "Alumacillin"??? My husband obviously has aluminitis and needs a cure, fast!

One might think from the usage of colorful metaphors one hears from time to time from the shop... that he might have his fill of aluminum.

Not happening...he seems to become reinfected each day!

RichardT · 05-25-2006, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Bambi

Well I just bought my second trailer a 55 Flying Cloud. I plan on restoring this trailer also. From what I've picked up on some of the threads, the 50's trailers are built different than the 63. Open to input form one and all. I'll include some pictures once I get it home.
Don

Now we both have a 63 Bambi and a 55 FC! Is yours a CA model too? What is the Vin?
Very Very Cool.