Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2008 10:44:37 GMT 10
Hi Guys
Whilst at Golbourn swap meet on the weekend with "The splinter Hilton Teardrop" I got yarning with Barry Hartnell prop of "The Vintage Motorcycle Swap Shop" at Wanagratta VIC.
He was telling me he use to work with an old bloke who built plywood caravans.
Conversation got around to bending timber moulds etc.
Here is his account of how his old mate use to achieve those tight radius curves you find on vans.
We use to use a 20ft length of galv steel down pipe with one end capped off. We then filled the pipe with water and slid the lengths of timber inside the pipe. The pipe was placed over an open flame ( he didnt say what was used to provide the heat but i would imagine anything would do) The water was kept topped up while it was boiling for a period of at least 12 hours.
Once the timber was removed from the boiling water it was the consistency of soft rubber and could be near twisted into a knot over a very short distance of about 2 feet.
The timber was placed on a jigs of left and right side templates which was the shape of the van it was to go on. Allowed to cool and dry then tacked onto the van. this method was used up until the advent of the aluminium J mould.
He did not know what type of timber was used.
Also got talking to a bloke that had a vintage motorbike for sale a "Royal Enfield Flying Flea 98cc 2 stroke". His name is Bob Moss and he use to work at Propert. He was working for them when they finally closed down. We talked about what was laying around the factory . Old cart wheel timber rims and dray hubs .. brand new.
. Lots of oddments used for building the Properts and other forms of vehicles like delivery vans, hearses etc.
. He lives locally and i hope to catch up with him when i have a pen and paper in my hand instead of a stubby. should make for an interesting interview
.
I missed out on his bike. someone offered him $100 more than me.... ya get that.
Stay tuned to this station.
Reddo
Whilst at Golbourn swap meet on the weekend with "The splinter Hilton Teardrop" I got yarning with Barry Hartnell prop of "The Vintage Motorcycle Swap Shop" at Wanagratta VIC.
He was telling me he use to work with an old bloke who built plywood caravans.
Conversation got around to bending timber moulds etc.
Here is his account of how his old mate use to achieve those tight radius curves you find on vans.
We use to use a 20ft length of galv steel down pipe with one end capped off. We then filled the pipe with water and slid the lengths of timber inside the pipe. The pipe was placed over an open flame ( he didnt say what was used to provide the heat but i would imagine anything would do) The water was kept topped up while it was boiling for a period of at least 12 hours.
Once the timber was removed from the boiling water it was the consistency of soft rubber and could be near twisted into a knot over a very short distance of about 2 feet.
The timber was placed on a jigs of left and right side templates which was the shape of the van it was to go on. Allowed to cool and dry then tacked onto the van. this method was used up until the advent of the aluminium J mould.
He did not know what type of timber was used.
Also got talking to a bloke that had a vintage motorbike for sale a "Royal Enfield Flying Flea 98cc 2 stroke". His name is Bob Moss and he use to work at Propert. He was working for them when they finally closed down. We talked about what was laying around the factory . Old cart wheel timber rims and dray hubs .. brand new.
. Lots of oddments used for building the Properts and other forms of vehicles like delivery vans, hearses etc.. He lives locally and i hope to catch up with him when i have a pen and paper in my hand instead of a stubby. should make for an interesting interview
.I missed out on his bike. someone offered him $100 more than me.... ya get that.
Stay tuned to this station.
Reddo
