Perfect Desk

[Zeppelinium]

When I converted my twin bed 27' Overlander to a double bed, I wanted an office workspace on the street side. The problem was making a desk that didn't require a chair, but at the same time didn't obstruct the passageway. I finally hit on a simple translating top, using three full-extension drawer slides. It isn't perfectly solid when it's fully out, but it's way good enough to hold a laptop and type on it.

[Boondocker]

The wood in this coach looks as nice as that in your caravel....How about I park my Trade Wind by your shop for a while... I wont charge all that much to let you do some wood work in it . Serriously, looks like another first class job.

[Zeppelinium]

Thanks, Rodney. As you can see, part of it is not finished yet. Need to take it out and apply Varithane, 3 coats, hard to do in the winter.

Next act is replacing the couch. I sure envy those folks who have done cork floors. I had to rebuild this one while I was living in it.

Funny story how I got started. Was in the Vegas airport heading home for the weekend (Overlander parked in McCarran parking lot), but Colorado airports closed due to snow. I ran over to Home Depot, bought a ton of birch plywood and solid maple and took off for Edwards AFB and their great wood shop. That night I cut the tub in half and three days later I had converted from twin beds to the double. The office (street side) took a few more months, but that first three-day job was perfect--perfect terror, perfect exhaustion, and perfect outcome. Usually I measure once, cut once, get another piece, cut again. That weekend everything worked.

Come by any time. I get the new Delta 8" jointer tomorrow and the shop is complete (Delta 10" table saw, two band saws, three sanding machine [horizontal, bench, and 24" drum], radial arm, translating 12" mitre saw, router table, shop air, and central vacuum). Hand tools too many to mention--did someone say something about Airstreams = $$ ? Good thing I also build all the cabinets for the house or you-know-who wouldn't be so happy "keeping" me. But no place to paint, so it's either cover up the table saw or go outside.

[overlander63]

Nice job. It looks like if the desk starts to sag or wobble too much, you could just attach a folding leg to it, and solve the issue if it ever becomes one.
BTW, I could use a new bulkhead wall in our Overlander, let me know when you will be in town...

[SmokelessJoe]

The concept for the aisle-way desk is very clever

Lee Valley has more robust sliders. They would probably eliminate the “wobble”.

Mind if I copy your excellent idea?

Nice work.


Sergei

[early]

Good Job!
Dawn

Nice work, and a great idea. This is one thing that Airstreams lack; a dedicated workspace. I think I remember seeing where some one had built a new dinette top hinged in the middle that lifted up and stored a laptop computer and I think a printer in a compartment below.

[AirstreamGypsy]

Nice Dell product placement there "Led"

But really I think the work space is absolutely great!

[tphan]

zep- clever use of space for your purposes, and nice looking work! I think it's interesting how the old configurations can be re-done, and the many different good ideas that people like yourself come up with. How is it you get to have 3 coaches to play with? You could almost hold your own rally... Anyway, looking real nice- tim

[ChopperPilot]

incredible work - very, very impressive.

[connorsa]

I just found your pictures and think your desk is brillant. I've thought of taking the mattress off one of the twins and converting that to a desk area, but it's a bit far for sitting on the bed. The sliders are perfect, if just for the keyboard or laptop. Is it still a good solution for you?

[Zeppelinium]

Funny you should ask. I put the same kind of desk in my Sovereign http://www.airforums.com/forums/show...1&postcount=40
It turns out that the Sovereign desk works fine, but getting all four slides perfectly aligned is problematic. It's a bit stiff. The Overlander, on the other hand, slides very easily--I'm reinstalling all the Overlander cabinetry this coming week after it was removed for varnishing [I should add, three years ago, sheesh].

Yes, the desk design works perfectly. I think maybe using just two slides at the edges in their intended vertical orientation would be easier to construct, and stronger. But it costs you about an extra inch of desk thickness.

Zep

[mello mike]

Beautiful work, Zep! What is the thickness of your interior bulkheads? Is it the same as the original panels? What did you use for those?

[Zeppelinium]

bulkheads are 1/2" birch with 3/4" maple edges. I used the orginal retention moldings along the wall, and cut a kerf in the back edge of the panels to take the 1/4" slit. That works OK, but now that I have a shrinker, I'm using 3/4" "L" extrusion and forming it to fit the wall curve.

Zep

[SmokelessJoe]

This thread reminds me that I forgot to post pictures of the pull-out desk in my Argosy.



The idea came from Zep but I modified IKEA cabinets for my version. The printer will ride in the pull out drawer below the tabletop.



Sergei

[Zeppelinium]

Sergei,

I really like your lighting. Did you lay your drawer rails over flat like I did or did you use them vertical?

And thanks for the shout out.

Zep

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

bulkheads are 1/2" birch with 3/4" maple edges. I used the orginal retention moldings along the wall, and cut a kerf in the back edge of the panels to take the 1/4" slit. That works OK, but now that I have a shrinker, I'm using 3/4" "L" extrusion and forming it to fit the wall curve.

Zep

A "shrinker?" What is that?

[Der Sand]

I have been reading your posts here and didn't realize we were neighbors. We are in Monument off County Line. How about that fire work display last night and the Star being lite up?

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by mello mike

A "shrinker?" What is that?

Shrinker's and Stretchers are tools used to do just that with aluminum. They are used to put the curves in the "L" extrusion material so that it matches the curved walls.
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

We had all of these very neat tools and more at the restoration rally earlier this year in Albuquerque. We will be doing it again next year as well.

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by azflycaster

Shrinker's and Stretchers are tools used to do just that with aluminum. They are used to put the curves in the "L" extrusion material so that it matches the curved walls.
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

We had all of these very neat tools and more at the restoration rally earlier this year in Albuquerque. We will be doing it again next year as well.

Wish I could have went. I'll be there next year, along with membership in the FCU.