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Post by Franklin1 on May 7, 2016 22:26:28 GMT 10
G'day Kerosene Ken Koala (I think that's an in-joke from the SWR Nats)... You certainly are a man of many talents. If you're not firing up old lanterns and stoves, you're firing on all cylinders with this great van! Certainly coming up very, very nicely. Now, the comedown ... - Ditch the outside annexe light and find something more in keeping with the age of the van, ok? Even if you have to make something that's "fake vintage". (I've heard of other people on this forum doing that sort of thing. ) cheers, Al.
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Post by Koala on May 8, 2016 10:42:08 GMT 10
Now, the comedown ... - Ditch the outside annexe light and find something more in keeping with the age of the van, ok? Even if you have to make something that's "fake vintage". (I've heard of other people on this forum doing that sort of thing. ) cheers, Al. You are a hard man to please Al. At least the light as fitted was free and I was hoping that it would pass inspection. 'Fake Vintage' wash your mouth out Al Koala
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Post by Koala on May 8, 2016 12:43:53 GMT 10
Hey Al, You have had me all concerned and worried that my light did not meet your high standards, will this one suffice?? Note that it is not `Pretend Vintage' Koala
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Post by Franklin1 on May 8, 2016 13:16:59 GMT 10
Aaah, yes - I think that one would be much more suitable. Grandad would be proud of you.
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Post by leebee on May 8, 2016 16:34:34 GMT 10
A nice guy came to inspect our van at a car show last weekend and asked the usual questions and seemed very interested. Finally he asked me if I would be interested in his grand parents van which has been in storage in a shed on a property for very many years. He does not know the make of the van but describes the van as a time capsule with many period items inside........just as when it was last used years ago. Canvas over ply roof. Decisions, decisions!!!!! Heading off tomorrow to inspect. Koala
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Post by Koala on Sept 21, 2016 8:29:16 GMT 10
It has come time to get stuck in and finish Grandads Van. All of the detailed repairs to the woodwork were completed last summer but winter hit before I could paint the interior. I thought it would be a simple job to slap on a bit of paint but some one once said that life was not meant to be easy and this proved the case here. Somebody had previously painted the ceiling with a brush and probably the paint was not thinned enough with the result that there were very deep brush strokes in the paint. Just to paint over what was there would not be acceptable so I have just spent two days using a random orbital sander and 40 grit discs patiently sanding away upside down. To make matters worse there was varnish under three layers of paint so it was quite a tedious job sanding the surface back to a nice finish eventually going over it all a second time using 80 grit discs. Now the ageing shoulders, wrists and elbows know that they have been working hard. Thought about using paint stripper but it would be too messy to use on the ceiling so discarded that idea. I had experienced problems in the past when trying to get paint to stick to varnish and this time I used a new Dulux surface preparation which has just become available at Bunnings. I must say that it works very well in this application with a lovely finish ready for the colour coat. I applied it with a 5mm short nap roller which you would normally use for doors and cabinetry and this worked well. The only down side is that it is $80 for four litres. Anyway, all is now well and I can now move forward with the colour coat if the weather is warm. Just need to paint and refit the doors, make a new draw bar,replace the axle and a multitude of little finishing off jobs and this project will be finished. I am still looking for a suitable axle if anyone has a spare one laying around. Koala
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Post by Koala on Oct 2, 2016 18:36:08 GMT 10
Another beautiful day in Canberra today so I was out early to clean out Grandads Van so that I could have a good go at sanding and filling in preparation for undercoat. I had a bit of a win earlier in the week when my next door neighbour came to check on progress just as I was about to hammer in some nails to fit the cover and corner strips. He took off back home and returned with a Paslode nail gun suggesting that it would be quicker and do a better job. What a great bit of kit and after a couple of hours banging away the job was done.........need to buy one of those suckers Anyway, here are a couple of progress shots, hopefully the weather gods will look over me tomorrow and the colour coat can go on. Can see the light at the end of the tunnel and a few more days will see the job done. Judy is having a go at covering the seat cushions and making the curtains which will be great to see finished and in the van. Koala
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Post by Koala on Oct 14, 2016 19:08:18 GMT 10
Progress on Grandads Van is going ahead in leaps and bounds. It is great to actually finish something and not have to pull it apart again. Although I still need to finish a bit of painting, it is substantially complete and I am very pleased with the final finish. Tonight I connected the 240 volt for the first time and tested it OK, still enough daylight to move on and connect the 12 volt interior lights and battery with charger, yep all good there also. It seems that Grandad is coming out of his slumber since 1962 when he was put into that shed at Tarago. As a reminder, this photo is how the front area of the van looked when I acquired it. It had a fixed double bed which I removed and converted to the more conventional drop down table arrangement. And this is how it looks now; Judy has been busy with the sewing machine to make the cushions. Time for a break now for a few days away in the Franklin meeting up with the other sick people at Shellharbour. Overall I am happy with the outcome, more work than I wanted to undertake but the van is now back to life again. I still need an axle if anyone within a couple of hours of Canberra has one laying around. Koala
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Post by strugglebrook on Oct 15, 2016 7:45:31 GMT 10
Looking very nice Mr Koala, you have done an admirable job under Mrs Koalas supervision. As you say, roll on Shellharbour.
JD.
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Post by Koala on Nov 19, 2016 18:24:42 GMT 10
It appears that the weather gods have been happy the last couple of weeks which has enabled me to keep powering along with Grandads Van. The interior is substantially complete and I have been given until 15 December to finish it off because that is when overseas visitor arrive and will be living in it. More progress photos. Next job to replace all the undercarriage and drawbar is scheduled for next weekend. I hope to take the van to a couple of shows and Vintage Caravans events but it will be for sale as soon as it can be towed. While I have enjoyed the restoration I simply don't have the room to keep it and hope that it can go to someone who will appreciate the van and my efforts. Koala
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Post by Koala on Nov 20, 2016 19:23:39 GMT 10
I'm trying to find 3 more of these for the hatch in Grandads Van so please let me know if you have any spare. Thanks Koala
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Post by Mustang on Nov 21, 2016 17:51:14 GMT 10
Love your colours!!!!! Hard to believe its that van you pulled out of the shed on page 1!!!
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Post by Franklin1 on Nov 21, 2016 20:26:08 GMT 10
G'day young Ken, beautiful job on the van there! Congratulations on a very fine effort. I don't have any of the items for the hatch that you are looking for, but they are known as "quadrant stays", and a google search for 'quadrant stays images' will show you they are readily available new. Usually from boating suppliers / ships chandlers / etc. cheers, Al.
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Post by Koala on Nov 22, 2016 19:36:02 GMT 10
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Post by Koala on Dec 8, 2016 15:22:17 GMT 10
When it seems like the end is near there always seems to be another `little' job to do so I am pleased to be able to finally announce that the interior of Grandads van is finished, done and dusted !!!!!!!!! It has been a long rocky road but when I stand back and take it all in I am pretty happy with the result, particularly when I look at the photos of its condition when we purchased it. I decided to put a Aldi 240volt fridge in it as they work well and it should keep cold enough for short trips, we have another fridge in the ute as well. The space for the fridge has been constructed to take a Dometic 3 way fridge if someone wants at a later date. This is the paint which I used on the kitchen doors, it goes on easily and is available in a few colours and gloss finishes. I really like the cherry red full gloss. The undercarriage did not happen last week but we will try again this weekend. Relatives arrive to sleep in it next week and I don't think they will be too happy perched up on car stands Hopefully some last pictures of the completed exterior to come soon. Koala
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Post by Mustang on Dec 8, 2016 17:09:38 GMT 10
I love that Rustoleum USA paint, when you pick up the can it weighs much heavier than all the other crap, goes much further & covers better. Really does bond to plastic, & can be cut & polished.
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Post by Koala on Dec 10, 2016 19:00:08 GMT 10
A major milestone was achieved today with Grandads Van now sitting on his own wheels and able to be towed for the first time since approx. 1962. Today with the help of a boilermaker neighbour I built a new steel sub chassis and new drawbar which is now bolted up under the original wooden chassis. There is no way this drawbar will bend as due to a supply mistake it is 5mm thick 100 X 50 steel. The steel supplier loaded the wrong product on the truck instead of the 3mm as requested and this was discovered too late today to do anything about it. I knocked up a Mk1 wheel spat before dinner and an not too sure whether I like the shape or the colour. Will have another go tomorrow. Time for a beer or three Koala
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Post by thegeneral on Dec 11, 2016 1:10:22 GMT 10
Nope look's crap Ken Spat's cover wheel's they don't sit above them. The van also look's a bit high. Graeme..
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Post by Koala on Dec 11, 2016 20:13:28 GMT 10
Yep you are correct Graeme. The van is sitting way too high. Need a axle drop of at least 2inches. Koala
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Post by Don Ricardo on Dec 11, 2016 20:38:10 GMT 10
Hi Koala,
My feeling is that spats that shape don't look right on the van. I think for the most part vans built at around the time of Grandad's van didn't have spats. From that perspective I reckon the round wheel arch on the van looks right for the period and suits the van - but that's just my view.
If you do want to have spats, could you make some that echo the shape of the roofline, perhaps?
Don Ricardo
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Post by greedy53 on Dec 12, 2016 16:41:26 GMT 10
my grandad had one of those he used to clean out horses hoves,it was also called a pig sticker for draining blood on pigs
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Post by Koala on Jan 11, 2017 10:43:38 GMT 10
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Post by Don Ricardo on Jan 11, 2017 11:42:26 GMT 10
G'day Koala, As one of the people who had the paste brush out, I reckon Grandads Van looks terrific as you've now got it set up. It looks fantastic. Don Ricardo
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Post by thegeneral on Jan 11, 2017 11:59:31 GMT 10
Hi Ken, Sorry to be hard on you before, now It look's great " WELL DONE " Graeme..
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Post by Koala on Jan 20, 2017 19:22:34 GMT 10
The rear end of Grandads Van is nicely rounded (as they should be ) and is now all refurbished. From This To This It was originally my intention to carry the side stripe across the back but I now feel that is doesn't need it............I am happy to know other peoples opinions. There is a car show in Canberra in March so that is my goal to finish it off!!!! Koala
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