'49 Trailwind resto

[66Overlander]

Originally Posted by Disco Stu

More little jobs, some beehive lights from VTS, the red ones modified for two filament stop / tail globes, and some little mounting plates made up on the bead roller. That covered up all of the old tail light and rivet holes!

Are the beehive lenses glass or plastic? If plastic, you may find the increased wattage of the major filament of the dual filament bulb will melt the lenses if on for a length of time (especially if both filaments are on at the same time), unless you use LED replacement bulbs that don't give off much waste heat.

[Disco Stu]

Thanks Joe, I had considered that but only because VTS mention the risk of this on their website. I have spare lenses and will keep an eye on it. I asked my local auto elec for LED bulbs when I bought the dual globe holder but he doesn't stock them...

[Disco Stu]

I finished the bed base this afternoon.
It'll have a piano hinge and gas struts to access storage space rather than a big drawer. Our upright cupboard will be wider than factory to fit a cassette toilet so there wouldn't be room for a very big drawer to slide out.

[coloradoup]

Nicely done Stu!

[57Vintage]

Nice work with the aluminum as always.

Do have one question: I assume the curved sides go against the interior walls on both sides and the hinge for the top goes on the short end. Won't the curved part of the top hit the walls before you get very far up? Trying to visualize and it seems there would be interference.

Maybe your walls/end cap are more vertical than mine. Mine have a slight inward angle 2-3 degrees.

[dbj216]

That is one stout bed frame. I was planning on using 4 orange crates.

The amount of work in that bed frame staggers my mind.

Excellent

David

[Disco Stu]

Thanks peeps!

57', I'll find out tomorrow. The late 40's models have vertical ends that have a bulge in them as they go around to the sides. So, I should have more clearance as it lifts up until about half way, then it'l be reduced from then on. If anything restricts the lifting of the bed it'll be the mattress. I'll find out tomorrow. I don't mind making a mistake, we can't plan everything from the beginning...

David, it's only 6 main folded channels. curving the sides in the shrinker was a little time consuming, and also adding those unnecessary little curved braces at the front.
I'll polish the face of it tomorrow and scotchbrite the top, hopefully it fits!

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by dbj216

That is one stout bed frame. I was planning on using 4 orange crates.

The amount of work in that bed frame staggers my mind.

Excellent

David

David, had to laugh: 4 orange crates!! Thanks, I really needed a good laugh!

Vivian

[dbj216]

Gee, you should have seen my first apartment in my college years. Orange crates and a pine board for the stereo, cinder blocks and pine board for my book shelf. And two old file cabinets and a piece of plywood for my study desk.

But DiscoStu builds a beautiful bed frame from aluminum. Way beyond me.

David

[Disco Stu]

I found some aluminium piano hinge, just waiting for shops to open again so I can buy some gas struts.
Anyhoo, it works well, we get about 45 degrees without mattress, a bit less with mattress.

[dbj216]

Hi: You get the Airstream Forums blue ribbon for the most elaborate all aluminum rear bed frame renovation in an old Airstream. It is beautiful. A shame it will be covered by the mattress and bed covers. Maybe you can just leave it open when you show the trailer. I would.

I can only imagine what the old one looked like.

David

[Hittenstiehl]

And the wheel well award.

[InsideOut]

WOW! You are really zipping through this project! It looks A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!!!
My only disappointment is that you are down-under and I'll never be able to check this beauty out in person!

Shari

[dbj216]

And another ribbon for switching sides from curb to street side for the entry door. You don't see that every day.

David

[Disco Stu]

Thanks guys!

I'm going to start on the kitchen unit soon, it'll be built around the 12 / 240 volt Engel fridge that we just bought. The fridge has a plain door that I intend to cover up with this old school door face if I can make it work. It's about 1/2" wider and 1" shorter than the new fridge door.

Also, this morning I started on the horseshoe couch base. Given how happy I am with the weight, strength and look of the bed base? Yep, same construction. It'll have a panel on the front left to house the electrickery, and battery somewhere on the front left. After the kitchen, fridge, battery and toilet are fitted I might check the weight on each wheel. Then I can choose my water tank position to even up the weight on each side but I think it might end up on the left side.

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

WOW! You are really zipping through this project! It looks A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!!!
My only disappointment is that you are down-under and I'll never be able to check this beauty out in person!

Shari

X2!!

Vivian

[dbj216]

Electrictricky? What's that? Maybe a spelling error?

The fridge you posted a photo of has seen better days. Kinda like me.

David

[Disco Stu]

Thanks Vivian!
David, by electrickery I mean my 12V gear ( battery, fuse block, merit plugs, volt meter ) I'm not sure where the 240V breakers will go yet....

I finished most of the couch base today, it's only 1mm material but should be pretty strong. Dents from heels of shoes might be a problem but 1.0mm is what I had in stock and the aluminium shop was closed yesterday.

[57Vintage]

Love the couch. Looks great and cleaner design than mine.



Are you still thinking about putting FW tank inside?

[Disco Stu]

Thanks again for the pics of yours, and for giving me the idea of the tank under the couch. Yes I'll have the FW tank up front as well as the battery etc.
I don't know how I'll attach the seat base to the aluminium sheet frame, or the seat back to the walls yet, maybe 4" velcro?