The Sickler Skoolie Build

Tag: Strapping

  • Weekend 10: Skylights and Ceiling

    This weekend I pushed myself, one of the issues I was having was the leaky Emergency Hatches. I had originally decided I wanted to install Marine Hatches, however they would have to be modified, or the structure would have to be modified to accommodate a pre manufactured Hatch. So I decided to build my own Skylights, I used a few pieces of lumber to build hatches and lids.

    • Two 1”x6” 8 foot boards
    • One 1”x2” 8 foot board (ripped in half)
    • Two 24” square pieces of Plexiglass
    • A few small packages of Screws
    • Tube of clear caulk
    • 4 Hinges
    • 2 sash locks
    • weather stripping
    • Spray Foam Insulation

    Hatch holes were about 2 feet square, however the bus frame was cut into a rounded corners, so I had to cut out into a square shape to accommodate the wooden frames.

    I cut the 1×6 into 2 24 inch pieces and 2 22 inch pieces to make a 2 square feet box. I then created the 1×1 frame in similar fashion.

    I gave these items a quick coat of stain to weather proof the wood. Once it cured I began installing the bottom frames.

    I used the old Hatch Lids while the roof was exposed since it was threatening rain all weekend

    I drilled pilot holes into the plexiglass and then attached 16 screws around the smaller frame to create a skylight top. I used clear caulk between the glass and the frame before screwing the glass to the frame.

    I installed Hinges and Sash locks to secure the top and bottom frames together. They dont open right now, but are serving well as skylights. I think if I install the hinges external it’ll open up just fine. I may grab a few more hinges and install them outside and remove the inside ones and reuse those hinges on small cabinets I plan on building for above the windows.

    Saturday evening it rained pretty hard for a bit of time. No leaks were detected in the hatches.

    Now that the hatches were done I was ready to get busy on my other milestone, the Ceiling.

    I bought 10 sheets of 1/4 inch thick Luan boards. I cut 5 inches off the 8 feet length and attempted to install the boards onto the Ceiling strapping. I quickly discovered that the lowest strapping was not at an angle the Luan could handle bending to. So after cracking my first piece of Luan, I decided to move the lowest strapping up about 8 inches, After this the Luan fit better..but still not great because by moving the strapping up the frame was hitting the edges of the Luan. I really had no solution for this, so I installed the Luan and there are sections where the edges are not straight do to the frame exposure, you can see it in the video below.

    After I installed the 9 ceiling sections I cut 8 4 inch boards out of the remaining Luan boards to create panel covers for the gaps between the Luan seams.

    There is still a gap between the walls and the ceilings that I am going to cover with trim wood that will also make a good material to tie in top side cabints.

  • Starting the ceiling

    I ran strapping down the length of the bus at 5 points along the rounded bus framed ceiling. I used the 3/4 inch thick plywood cut into 2 inch wide boards (8 feet length)

    I picked up insulation after work today and I’ll be putting that up as I run the ceiling material. I am using 1/4 inch Luan. It’s thin enough I may be able to bend it and mount it to the strapping to create the arch that I will tie the walls into. The structure doesn’t go to the ceiling, im going to seal off these studs with 3/4 plywood walls, and doors for the closet and upper cabinet, as well as the bathroom, I may build a pocket door for the bathroom.

  • Weekend 7 Summary

    It was a helluva weekend. I got the bus stuck trying to move it to put weather stripping on the windows. I completed the couches, strapped the back wall, added some shelves and a small bit of wall on one side of the bus. I insulated the entire bus up to the mid windows. I also measured spaces where cabinets will be placed and looked into cabinets at Lowe’s.

  • More Floor Plans and Hinges on the couch

    I had an early lab session on Monday, so I was done working by 3:00. Perfect time slot to get a little bus work in! I went to the home store and bought a few hinges and cut the top of the couch to allow the top to open to access the storage area.

    I decided to move all my tools to the back so I could visualize the empty space I have left to consider floor plans. I ended up taping down some ideas.

  • Weekend 6 Summary

    It is Easter weekend, I was able to finished insulating the sides of the bus with rigid foam board and fiberglass insulation. I also wrapped up the strapping around all the windows and doors with the 3/4 inch plywood. Ive been using with the Maple finish. I need a ton of plywood to complete the walls, but first I need to get some wire and ensure all my outlets can reach the breaker box.

    I started to frame out the master bedrooms bed. It’s 30 inches off the ground, this will accommodate a nice sized fresh water tanks, water pump, and my solar/shore power solutions. Im starting to get into the expensive stuff.

    Now that the front and rear furnishings are framed, I can see the space I have left in the middle of the bus for the kitchen and bathroom. I also removed some outlets and will be placing them higher up for the bedroom and the kitchen areas since the counter tops and wall extend up to the middle of the windows, it should be easy to find the right space for these outlets.

    If I do get the opportunity to take this beast out for a maiden voyage, I will likely just utilize a pressure cooker, airfryer, and microwave while I save up for real appliances. I may invest in an electric Cooler as well as a temporary solution. But that is a long ways off right now, a lot of paperwork and hurdles to jump through first

  • Finished framing the windows and doors

    Today I went and got a sheet of Maple Plywood to rip a few boards I needed to finished framing the windows and doors.

    It was 81 today and my insulation is definitely working. I decided it was a good idea to remove the little pesky window stoppers that make it so the windows only go down a crack.

    I stocked up on lumber to frame out the master bedrooms bed, and also had enough maple plywood left over to cut the top piece for one of the couches. I ran wiring throughout the bus and definitely will need to invest in more wire to ensure that all outlets can reach the 1000 Amp Service box I will be utilizing. Plan is for that and a lot of other components to be in the back of the bus underneath the bed area.

    I am thinking about mounting the grey water tank underneath the bus and the fresh water tank underneath the bed. My electrical system including solar inverters and charging components will be installed under the bed as well.

  • Insulation completed

    I finished the insulation of the sides of the bus. I used fiberglass for the places that the rigid foam board would not go, The foam board cuts so easy and I was able to get those cuts mounted pretty quickly.

    My Son Aaron and I ripped a bunch of boards for use framing in all the windows and potentially the ceiling material. We shall see.

  • Wall Concept

    I installed a wall section to see what my concept for walls is going to look like

  • Framing couches

    I created couch frames and installed insulation in the walls up front where these pieces will go.

    I also had a sheet of plywood i wanted to fit into place behind the couches backrest. Im thinking about how high I want the walls to be, its just cut at the bottom to go over the wheel well and needs to be trimmed down to the height I want.

    contemplating walling up to the middle of the window panes since the bottoms dont open. I could trim the walls at the top and still get a lot of natural light and added privacy without doing window deletes.

  • Floor plans and outlets

    I did a little tinkering today with outlet placement and floor planning. Truth be told I did it in the wrong order, just don’t tell anyone ok?

    I decided where the two couches are going in the front section of the bus. These are going to be simple pieces of furniture. Im thinking of using 2×2 to frame the shape, and hardwood finished plywood as the outer shell. Both couches will also be chests for storage.

    I also installed outlets (twice) in both couch areas, I had to move them so they weren’t behind the couches backrest.

    I had some extra Rigid Foam board insulation and I decided to test it out as the insulator on the walls, starting with the front couches was a good place to test it because there will be no plumbing or wires behind the couches.