Post by 66saint on Jun 10, 2005 1:21:14 GMT 10
Oooookaaay, so finally, here are some pix of my van. I am in the middle of some restoration and have a question to ask…
Of course I was assured that this unit had absolutely no rot whatsoever when I was buying it. I bought it sight unseen off a less than truthful old bloke. I couldn’t get interstate to see it but expected it to be a bit soft in places. As it turns out, the rot is confined to the rear end, caused by a leaking window and should be relatively easy to fix. It was this bloke's absolute assurance that the timber work was A1 only to get it and find bog, paper, foil and lots and lots of fresh paint! Hard to believe he hadn't noticed the rot considering he had owned it for 20 years!
The interior is heaps better than I expected, very original and complete, it really is pretty immaculate. This more than makes up for his bodgie bog work on the timber! I will post some pix of that later.
But for now, I have been researching suitable timber for the frame. Spotted Gum, Vic. Ash, and even Oregon has been suggested. The existing frame work is 20mm x 35mm and has a considerable bend as you can see in the pix. I would expect to steam bend the timber but I suppose cold bending and laminating is an option?
Interior lining is masonite on the rear. I expect Mr. Bodgie did this also.
So, any tips on which timber to use? Steam bend or laminate? Any idea as to whether it should have a third vertical bend at the rear?
1950 something?
? Highway Caravan made in Melbourne
The other side
I pulled the ply off the back to reveal the rotted framework.
A close up of the rotted timber
Should this have a third vertical bend between the two end frame pieces?
Of course I was assured that this unit had absolutely no rot whatsoever when I was buying it. I bought it sight unseen off a less than truthful old bloke. I couldn’t get interstate to see it but expected it to be a bit soft in places. As it turns out, the rot is confined to the rear end, caused by a leaking window and should be relatively easy to fix. It was this bloke's absolute assurance that the timber work was A1 only to get it and find bog, paper, foil and lots and lots of fresh paint! Hard to believe he hadn't noticed the rot considering he had owned it for 20 years!
The interior is heaps better than I expected, very original and complete, it really is pretty immaculate. This more than makes up for his bodgie bog work on the timber! I will post some pix of that later.
But for now, I have been researching suitable timber for the frame. Spotted Gum, Vic. Ash, and even Oregon has been suggested. The existing frame work is 20mm x 35mm and has a considerable bend as you can see in the pix. I would expect to steam bend the timber but I suppose cold bending and laminating is an option?
Interior lining is masonite on the rear. I expect Mr. Bodgie did this also.
So, any tips on which timber to use? Steam bend or laminate? Any idea as to whether it should have a third vertical bend at the rear?
1950 something?
? Highway Caravan made in MelbourneThe other side
I pulled the ply off the back to reveal the rotted framework.
A close up of the rotted timber
Should this have a third vertical bend between the two end frame pieces?
