|
Post by JBJ on Jun 21, 2009 20:05:10 GMT 10
Hi Derk,
I have acquired a taste for Bourbon over the last 45 years of imbibing alcohol. BUT if I drink it during the day I get a tad confused at night time. So I discovered that light beer quenches my thirst most of the time, as I dont like to work when I'm thirsty.
So no, linseed oil is not quite my normal drink. I've been known to have several beers while I work on my vans. I have on odd occassions had a mouthful of other solutions that were near my beer by mistake, but I put that down to Bourbon deprivation.
I think Linseed Oil would be nearly as bad as a swig of Metho was once, while I was cleaning a set of whitewalls.
But I got rid of the whitewalls to eliminate that problem.
JBJ
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Jun 21, 2009 20:19:44 GMT 10
Drinking while working is not a road I will go down as I already know which one will win and there is nothing worse than an unfinished job. Derk.
|
|
|
Post by JBJ on Jun 21, 2009 20:55:10 GMT 10
Hi Derk,
To each his own. I dont expect anyone else to live my lifestyle.
But You made the comment about the beer, not me.
JBJ
|
|
|
Post by humpyboy on Jun 21, 2009 22:18:44 GMT 10
You enjoy your beer my friend, I just find it to hard to get going again once I stop for some refreshments thats why I have a stock of cordial in my fridge but it sits right next to the cans of coke that go it to colouring my Bundy ;D ;D ;D for later. Keep up the fantastic work I just love looking at the updates Lucille is looking a treat. Cheers Derk.
|
|
|
Post by JBJ on Jul 6, 2009 21:13:43 GMT 10
Hi All, Well its nearly finished. Its been a fun 18 months, & when I sit back & think about what has been achieved, with my self taught timber working skills, in a basic carport without even a level floor slab, I feel pretty good. Sure its far from perfect, but hey it was a home made van, built by a guy that (as far as I know) didnt have plans to follow, back in 1958-59, on a farm at Blayney, in midwest NSW. Some will say I butchered it by not keeping it as the original owner built it. My reply is that it was not a historically significant van, & had a lot of rough edges. I'd like to think my interpretation of how to improve it will be understood, even if not agreed with. Anyone has the right to modify anything they own, unless some law prevents that. Aint none I know of relating to my caravan. It wasnt too far from tip or speedway material when I bought it. I used slot headed screws throughout, & most of what I did is close to period correct. So as this thread comes to an end, consider this. Almost anyone can rebuild a van if they persevere with a plan of action. It takes continual application of large amounts of time, effort & money, but the cost can be kept within a budget most of the time. I've put about $12000 I think into this van, without considering my 18 months labour. I dont keep accurate costs, just a running total in my head. Now I'm going to use it. Some more pix, which will be followed in time by the flooring lino fitting, seat upholstery, & several small areas. The second hand frig I bought flattened the big battery I fitted overnight, so it may need to be replaced. OK pictures cover the fitted final painted doors & drawers, & the curtain hiding the microwave. it took a few goes to get a color we liked for the doors. This van was painted baby blue inside & out originally, so I think I 've improved the colour. The last shot is the start of a panel of felt pennants I'm setting up, hopefully to be able re create one of the early trip I went on with my parents when I was about 14 (1961) Luckily a good friend from this Forum Humpty gave me a start with a couple, & I've bought a couple on Ebay. I'm still looking for a few more, so if anyone has some from towns between Moss Vale & Brisbane, travelling up New England Highway & Moree, I'd be happy to pay a fair price( similar to what they cost me on Ebay) for some. Its all fun JBJ
|
|
|
Post by atouchofglass on Jul 7, 2009 5:56:44 GMT 10
Hey JBJ You have a great van to use It's as YOU want it and You've saved another vintage van Who could complain about that? Congratulations on another job well done eeeer VERY well done Now comes the time to enjoy the next stage..... using it Áll the best and looking forward to seeing some new scenery around the van as she is out and about regularly But don't forget the Sunliner Cheers Atog
|
|
|
Post by Surf Tragic on Jul 14, 2009 21:47:41 GMT 10
G'day JBJ
I'm glad you built your van how you did, it shows a lot of imagination & like otheres have said, it's how YOU wanted it. I would get drawn & quartered if I modified the Don, but it would be fun to do a ridiculous replica so you could Just recognise it as a Don. ;D ;D
Its all I can do to restrain myself from looking seriously for a tow car, am thinking Customline but love the Dodge of yours, the way it sits & the wheels make it a desireable car. Is it featured anywhere?, I have looked & only found a couple pics, no details.
You got results with your van quickly & done a great job, I'm just plodding along but enjoying it.
Cheers, Ron.
|
|
|
Post by tom on Jul 18, 2009 17:35:51 GMT 10
Hiyer BJ , looking for four Sunliner replacement wraparound windows.Could they be got in in Tamworth or Coffs Harbour dyer fink ? .............. tom
|
|
|
Post by Geoff & Jude on Jul 18, 2009 17:43:01 GMT 10
Hi Tom,
JBJ is currently away, not sure if it is this weekend or next he gets home, but I am sure he will get back to you then,
Jude & Geoff
|
|
|
Post by tom on Jul 19, 2009 19:34:39 GMT 10
Thanx for that Jude & Geoff, I,ll keep an eye open for his return. While wirebrushing the chassis of Sunliner today, decided to pull off the wheels and check condition of brake shoes. Imagine my suprise on removing brake drums, and discovering a total absence of brake shoes. Perhaps due to the lightweight nature of this van, the previous owner felt they werent required, and took em out. It may perhaps be legal and not necessary by law today, to have that nonworking brake system. Feedback required from anybody in the know please !! ............mucho gracias ....... tom
|
|
|
Post by humpty2 on Jul 20, 2009 19:55:29 GMT 10
Tom.....check your messages. Look at the top of the page. Regards....Humpty.
|
|
|
Post by JBJ on Aug 5, 2009 20:22:31 GMT 10
Hi All, Well last couple of weeks home havent seen a lot of achievement in completing Lucille, but last day or so has had good results. Firstly while out between Chinchilla & Dalby in Qld we went past a pretty sad old bondy on the side of the highway. Didnt bother stopping to look, as I would have expected the normal "I'm about to rebuild it, its not for sale" answers that happen. Well later that night David & Lyn rocked into the caravan park at Dalby, & gave me a pair of genuine old splash guards from that van. They even have a properly bead rolled edge. It appears the van has been gutted & is destined for the tip. The owners let them have whatever they wanted off it, so they thought of us & grabbed these. Big thanks Dave. So a lot of cleaning, a few screws, & Lucille has a pair of period perfect stone guards. Then got my friend Sid the upholsterer to do our front seats. He did a magic job as always. Had a look at Wintersun's red 62 Cad convertible while fitting the seats. Pretty cool. Then today Lee turned up & fitted my vinyl .This guy is brilliant. 4 hours, three sheets of masonite, some glue, & about 1/3 of the vinyl runner I bought from EBay in Brisbane, & we have a fantastic floor. Totally unique, & really suits Lucille. Now I've gotta rework bottom of door, get door hinges cad plated, & minor tidy up of paint & shes near finished Its all good JBJ
|
|
|
Post by Surf Tragic on Aug 5, 2009 22:23:18 GMT 10
Good to see you & Lucille back JBJ! Those guards are a great addition to Lucille, functional & also well made, a lucky break there. The lino is as you say, unique, & adds enormously to the finish & the look of the whole decor, what a find You have some special 'tradies' someone really knows their job, I have never seen anything like that before...................... also the upholstery, they complement each other & it all looks classy. ::)Hope you can keep featuring Lucille continually in the future even after she is completed, don't let her get lost in the background. :)What a Fantastic project you have done, and done well ! ;D Surf Tragic
|
|
|
Post by humpty2 on Aug 6, 2009 20:16:16 GMT 10
Love the job on the floor, I have lodged it in my memory bank. Looking really great!! Regards Humpty.
|
|
|
Post by Don Ricardo on Aug 6, 2009 21:59:55 GMT 10
Hi JBJ, That floor look's fantastic and fits in so well with the rest of the van. The border is just so beautifully done. Great work - again! Don Ricardo
|
|
|
Post by don257 on Aug 7, 2009 9:52:48 GMT 10
A lot of work gone into that project looks fantastic Doug & Vicki
|
|
|
Post by Jennison on Aug 7, 2009 14:53:16 GMT 10
Love that Lino!
|
|
|
Post by sweetie on Aug 7, 2009 16:17:46 GMT 10
Your van is a work of art and that lino - talk about 'wow' factor!
I hope people are inspired to save and maybe pass on lino they come across from the 40s, 50s and 60s. Old lino lasts a long time (miles longer than vinyl) and we need pretty small amounts for vans so even if it's old kitchen lino worn in the traffic areas, there may be enough left for a van.
As more old houses get updated and the old flooring gets chucked, it's getting harder to find the good stuff, so please don't pass it by, someone could be turning into something spectacular like Lucille! Lino like this with a border to play with are very rare and look fantastic.
|
|
|
Post by JBJ on Aug 7, 2009 17:04:06 GMT 10
Hi All,
Thanks for the comments about the flooring.
When I saw the lino hall runner on E Bay, & checked the measurements ( 900 wide) I thought it might work. I only paid $80 something dollars, but travelled 6 hours total to get it.
Luckily there are good young tradesmen out there.( I'm not into polictical correctness bull) Lee did a great job, & only wanted $150 including materials to do the job on his day off. I gave him $250 & still think I got a good cheap job. Funnily, he isn't happy with the job. He expected better from himself. Perfectionists are like that unfortunately.
Now I'm going to buy some Johnson floor polish from IGA (the only stockist in Australia) & give it a real good rub & shine.
It goes to show that things can be made from unusual bits, with a touch of imagination & thought.
Its all fun
JBJ
|
|
|
Post by Daggsey on Aug 8, 2009 8:13:42 GMT 10
G'day JBJ (and Boots ) "Lucille" is certainly looking good now............the whole project, from the axle up is a credit to your ingenuity..........I've certainly picked up some tips from you for when the time comes to give "Morticia" the makeover and I'm sure others on this site have/will do the same Daggsey
|
|
|
Post by 1954homemade on Aug 8, 2009 10:31:30 GMT 10
Gee Dennis and Sue, You should be sooooooooo proud of yourselves - you have done a fantastic job on Lucille. She looks like a million dollars. Luv Di
|
|
|
Post by JBJ on Apr 18, 2010 18:35:16 GMT 10
Hi All,
Well in the first 12 months we've towed Lucille from Alstonville to Coolangatta, Tallabudgera, Coledale, Wadesville, our SW Qld retirees tour to Meandara & home, our christmas cruise to Bundaberg, out to Nindigully & home, & our just completed trip to Millmerran, out to Moree, & home.
Havent checked the Km but gotta be at least around 8000.
So decided she deserves a touch up in a few spots. Some of the joins in the body that I filled didnt like being filled. So I opened them up, and am repainting them as a movement joint. Several other joins need attention. Door hinges have been a continual source of concern. Now attached with screws & nuts rather than woodscrews.
We also had a bit of a problem with our 3 way fridge tripping the microswitch we fitted occassionly, on 240 volt. Our electrician now tells us older fridges can trip the microswitch occasionly, without anything being faulty. Took the fridge to a tester who charged $45 to tell me it was OK, & probably the microswitch was the problem.
So after a discussion with the sparky, he suggested we just install a 240 volt fridge & see how it runs off my inverter . I installed a 2400 watt inverter , to operate microwave off battery
So we picked up a bigger 80 litre bar fridge from Goodguys for $199. Got it to fit with a bit of cutting & thumping. It draws 80 amps from inverter.
So I'm running it on inverter on a fully charged battery to see how long it will operate till battery is flat.
Logic is that the 12 volt fridge was never real cold, & flattened battery in 2 days approx. The 240 volt fridge is much colder, & if I get 2 days from my battery I should be better off.
Totally an experiment.
I'll let you know how long I get from my battery running the fridge on 240 volt. From what I can gather, the inverters can be run continuously. I know someone will tell me if I'm wrong.
JBJ
|
|
|
Post by margra on Jan 2, 2012 10:03:33 GMT 10
Hi Dennis, first off- happy new year to you and your family. just reading about your van and am interested in what thickness ply that you got to do the work with as I am using 4mm and think that it is to thick. cannot get 2.4mm as in the early days. regards Graham
|
|
|
Post by JBJ on Feb 29, 2012 18:57:57 GMT 10
|
|