Since I've been pretty much stuck in one location since April, I've been working on a few projects to keep from going insane with boredom.
So far I've:
- Built an under bed shoe storage
- Installed vinyl plank tile "wood" throughout the RV
- Installed (and grouted for extra water protection) vinyl "travertine" tile the bathroom
- Finally built my version of Andy Baird's Pantry (still need to build a door though)
Next on the list is painting the walls of the rear bedroom/lounge area of my MB.
What projects are the rest of you up to?
Impressive ambition and skill sets; looks great! Good on ya! :)
Very nice work, Deb!
About that pantry door, here's a tip: finding good plywood that stays flat can be difficult. At the suggestion of a friend, I bought a sheet of 1/4" hardwood-veneer plywood, cut two identical pieces, and glued them back to back to make a 1/2" thick door for Skylark's pantry. That almost completely eliminated the warping problem.
Very nice work, Deb!
About that pantry door, here's a tip: finding good plywood that stays flat can be difficult. At the suggestion of a friend, I bought a sheet of 1/4" hardwood-veneer plywood, cut two identical pieces, and glued them back to back to make a 1/2" thick door for Skylark's pantry. That almost completely eliminated the warping problem.
Thanks for the compliment and the tip, Andy! I've been eyeing your pantry plan for a long time and was actually willing to pay someone to do it for me. It has been a fun project so far.
The box and shelves were the easy part, it's the door I'm still pondering. I'm leaning toward double doors (like the wardrobe closet) because I built a deep unit deeper with 1x6s instead of 1x4s. I'll just have to try your plywood trick and double it.
I travelled 4 hours yesterday with the pantry "as is" and it is holding up very well. Thanks again!
You are *handy* Deb!!!
Deb, just a thought: if the "keeper bars" visible in the photos prevent the contents of the pantry from shifting or falling out while traveling, and exposure to light doesn't harm any contents, going "doorless" is an option. Though it's not a big deal to open and close a cabinet door, access to contents would be more direct without it. I'm sure that some would feel that having a door would provide a more finished look (and prevent nosy people from gaping at what you might have in there! ;) ), but not having to bother with the additional expense and hassle of crafting a door may be appealing.
YMMV, as always.
Deb, just a thought: if the "keeper bars" visible in the photos prevent the contents of the pantry from shifting or falling out while traveling, and exposure to light doesn't harm any contents, going "doorless" is an option. Though it's not a big deal to open and close a cabinet door, access to contents would be more direct without it. I'm sure that some would feel that having a door would provide a more finished look (and prevent nosy people from gaping at what you might have in there! ;) ), but not having to bother with the additional expense and hassle of crafting a door may be appealing.
YMMV, as always.
Thanks for the suggestion Joan,
I have considered going doorless. The extension rods were to be a temporary fix because I needed to make a trip (to vote). Not having doors does make it easy to see and grab what I need right away.
I kind of want the doors because it would give me a place to hang some small pieces of artwork (within a recessed panel). Plus, I just bought a router and am itching to use it (any excuse to buy more tools :-) )
I can't get to the doors for another 2 weeks. I'll keep thinking about it. No real hurry.
You are *handy* Deb!!!
Former Habitat for Humanity volunteer. :-)
My concern with respect to going doorless would be the keeper bars. They appear to be spring-loaded friction-fit ones, and I'm not sure I'd trust them to hold heavy canned goods in place during a hard turn, or on a bumpy road. With so many items in glass jars, anything that falls off a shelf is likely to make a nasty broken-glass-and-liquid mess on the floor. I've had that happen when (other) cupboard doors popped open while underway, and it was not fun cleaning up. Just a thought.
"Former Habitat for Humanity volunteer."
Good for you... and you obviously picked up quite a few useful skills along the way. Have fun with that new router! :-)
My concern with respect to going doorless would be the keeper bars. They appear to be spring-loaded friction-fit ones, and I'm not sure I'd trust them to hold heavy canned goods in place during a hard turn, or on a bumpy road. With so many items in glass jars, anything that falls off a shelf is likely to make a nasty broken-glass-and-liquid mess on the floor. I've had that happen when (other) cupboard doors popped open while underway, and it was not fun cleaning up. Just a thought.
Not pictured in the original but I also have some temporary stretch netting attached to a couple of the tension rods to catch the few glass bottles I have. Most of the contents are in plastic with the heaviest items on the bottom and graduating up to the lightest items on the upper shelves. The netting probably won't prevent a fall but will hopefully make the fall more gentle.
OK, good point on the "keeper bars". If they are the spring-loaded, friction-fit as Andy said, no, I would not trust those to hold contents in place. I had a couple of those for the refrigerator shelves and dumped them; wimpy, useless items.
And, of course, a new tool must be enjoyed! ;)
The whole projects look great!! So productive. We have been doing stuff around our house and love your get-it -done attitude. Just a note, I see Los Padres National Forest has opened up except one area. Didn't see the exclusion. Just had email about it.
Robin
I finally finished my "Andy Baird" pantry cabinet. It's not perfect but I'm not a carpenter and it works for me.
It's a 3-panel door so I can hang some artwork. I used 3 hidden soft self-closing hinges. I also used 3 door magnets (top, middle, and bottom).
I haven't driven since I completed it (yesterday afternoon), so I may have to make modifications as I go.
I also used scrap wood to build a spot for my Travel Berkey in the wardrobe closet. This has been tested with a rough drive and works well.
The pantry looks very functional; well-designed and built. Swell job!
Way impressive! Very nice.
I think I'd limit the contents to unbreakables for the first 1,000 mile test drive ;)
Joel
I think I'd limit the contents to unbreakables for the first 1,000 mile test drive ;)
Joel
I drove about 500 miles "before" I put the door on the pantry, so I think I'm good. :-)
Deb,
Great Job! You have used your time in a creative and productive way. I hope you will show off your work at the next Morro Bay get together, assuming the virus is under control.
Harold
Thanks, Harold!
I won't be at Morro Bay next year but hope to catch up with everyone at the Balloon Fiesta. :-)
Deb, I will look forward to seeing you next time, wherever!
Harold
Next on the list was servicing my tow bar.
I stripped off as much of the flaking paint and sanded the rusting areas. Finally, I taped off the branding and safety instruction stickers and used metallic silver-ish and gloss black Rustoleum to spray on a new finish.
Before I painted the arms, I pushed back the rubber boots re-greased them so that they would move more smoothly (no pics as my gloved hands were covered in red grease)
I also replaced the safety cables. I painted the ends of one cable red so I don't have to keep figuring out where each one goes when crossing them to connect to my Jeep.
Deb
I am in total awe of your talent and capabilities. If it weren't for the age difference we would make a great team! :D ;)
Deb
I am in total awe of your talent and capabilities. If it weren't for the age difference we would make a great team! :D ;)
Aww, thanks!
Just name the project and I'm there!
HI- My wife wants that pantry. Could you send me the specs for it. I'm not very handy but I like to make my wife happy,
Thank you
HI- My wife wants that pantry. Could you send me the specs for it. I'm not very handy but I like to make my wife happy,
Thank you
It's actually Andy Baird's pantry with a few modifications.
Pantry closet (https://www.andybaird.com/travels/gertie/pantry.htm)
HI- My wife wants that pantry. Could you send me the specs for it. I'm not very handy but I like to make my wife happy,
The add-on pantry comes in different configurations, some use Factory doors, others use plywood. The number of shelves can be changed. The wood can be matched to the cherry or maple interior wood or simple plywood can be used.
If your rig is new enough, for a custom, Factory look, buy the doors from LD. The Mid-baths stock pantry doors are what I have used, once installed, they look like they came from the Mothership.
Below are links to a couple of them I have built, including rough dimensions from a pantry built many years ago by a friend.
Modify it to your own taste.
Mid-bath pantry-Maple | Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157666569259434/with/47726581091/)
Mid-bath pantry- Cherry | Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/albums/72157668756678411)
Larry
Thank you Larry - My LD is 1993 Mid Bath. Thanks again for the quick reply.
Looking at the pantry photos and drawing, I could not tell how it is attached to the existing wall. Is there anyone going to the Morro Bay GTG that has this mod and would be willing to show it off?
Deb's pantry is attached with angle brackets; they're visible in her photos if you look closely. The pantry I built in Gertie, as shown in the plans that Deb linked to, was attached with 48" long pieces of 3/4" aluminum angle.
But when it came time to add a similar pantry to Skylark, I decided the long pieces of angle were overkill, so I used two angle brackets on each side, as shown in the attached photo. The pantry rests on the floor, so the brackets just keep it from tilting away from the wall--they don't have to support it. In eleven years of full-time travel over some pretty rough roads, it never showed a sign of moving.
In case it wasn't obvious, these pantry cupboards are backless; they're just open 3-1/2" deep frames holding shelves. The wall itself forms the back of the cupboard.
Looking at the pantry photos and drawing, I could not tell how it is attached to the existing wall. Is there anyone going to the Morro Bay GTG that has this mod and would be willing to show it off?
What Andy said. :-)
In one of the photos of the pantry, you'll see some green tape attached horizontally. Those pieces of tape mark where I found wood running crosswise (in at least 3 places). That's where I attached my angle brackets (not studs). I also screwed the bottom of the pantry into the floor with 3 2-inch Robert's head screws (counter-sunk). It is rock solid since the side pieces rest on the floor piece (opposite of Andy's original design) and are attached with pocket hole screws.
The shelf pins have a hole for a screw, so the shelves are screwed to the shelf pins. If I decide to change the spacing, I unscrew the shelf, move it then re-screw it.
I'm baaaack!
I'm mostly stationary until my Yellowstone trip in late summer. So, what's a girl to do? More pandemic projects of course!
This time I replaced the nearly 20-year-old and very uncomfortable cushions in my dinette. I can sew a straightish line but I am not a seamstress. I spent hours watching YouTube videos (some videos multiple times) in order to make the type of cushions I envisioned in my head.
I ordered the foam from Amazon (5-inch thickness for the seats and 4-inch for the backs. I purchased the fabric at Joann's.
Mistakes were made but overall, I'm happy with the results.
Next on the agenda is to remove all the accordion blinds and replace them with curtains.
"I am not a seamstress."
---
Uh, if you managed to cord the seams on the cushions without stitching your fingers together and/or pitching the whole outfit through the wall, you are a "seamstress". ;)
Deb,
From my eye, that looks like a fabulous job. I can't see any mistakes, so don't point them out.
Linda
"I can't see any mistakes,..."
Wow, neat work! It's been a while since I've seen the like.
Had a Cousin who did auto upholstery work, beautiful stuff, mostly Naugahyde. This is close! ;)
The seam ripper was used liberally!
Most is the issues we're with the closure. I opted for Velcro over a zipper. The needle did not like that choice. It looks like a 5-yr old sewed the Velcro. Luckily the closures are hidden from casual view. 😉
Your job looks like it was professionally done by an upholster! It looks fantastic. Thank you for sharing.
Excellent job, Deb! Corded seams are tough to get right. Your cushions look perfect!
Looove that fabric. It looks great!
I'm still at it. As soon as "Ice Station Zebra" (aka the last Texas freeze) was over, I got back to work.
I finally removed the interior cover from my AC to clean it (very filthy). Also, the black louvers had fallen inside the cover and the only way to fix them was to remove the cover. While the cover was off, I opted to re-paint it since I didn't like the yellowing that I had a hard time cleaning.
The only area not painted was the part with the dial markings since I really had no way to re-make those.
The next project was to replace all the pull-down accordion blinds (aka dust catchers) with curtains.
I removed the valances and used a flexible curtain rod, cut them to size, and attached them under the cabinets where the blinds had been.
The curtains on the back window have sew-in magnets in the hem placed every 3 inches. Since the window frames are not magnetic (aluminum?), I used a long roll of 1/4 inch 3M tape, to tape black magnets along the bottom to the frame. The magnets make it very easy and quick to attach the hem to the frame and keep them from brushing my face when sleeping. :-)
Good use of magnets, Deb!