My ambitious Boler restoration - '79 Model

[slavandheather]

Luis, great to see you active again!
Slav

[Luis]

We'll folks, it's me again!

I had finally booked a local trailer shop for work to install all windows, fan, seals etc. So that we could take the Boler outside and continue the build.

This contractor was also supposed to install insulation and headliner.

Long story short, the shop quoted low, so I guess they were In a Struggle to make money, and I instead of discussing it, they had excuse after excuse for not progressing work.

IMO the owner is really disorganized and it's a shame to see otherwise skillful and well intentioned folks run their Bussiness to the ground. At the end I decided to get council with the police and Best Bussiness Bureau, a Canadian institution for customer protection/ vendor satisfaction ranking, and it turned out this shop had over 13 complains in the last year and a lowest ranking of F.

So much for me waiting for two years to book the job,and not doing my homework.

When I finally decided to cut my losses (over two months, next to cero progress!), and threatened with calling the cops for what I felt was a scam, the owner pushed my trailer and all parts outside and asked me to remove the trailer from his yard! Same day.

The trailer was not vandalized not was there any stolen parts, luckily. It was exposed to a thunderstorm water downpour and it was a crazy workday afternoon to haul it back.

Good riddance!

Work is now under my control and some work has already starter to happen.

[Luis]

Hehr sliding window for the door.

Thinking of using expansive foam inside the door panels for insulation.
Any experience out there?

Would it make the door too heavy? Thoughts...

[Luis]

The right pic now!

[Luis]

Prepping for a max fan install.

[Luis]

I decided to glue some kind of anchor frame at the top, acting as railings these supports will allow me to support various components of the cabinetry to the shell.

The trick is to trace 8' long plywood pieces to the inside of the ceiling...

The answer a custom made rig, fixed to the fan opening, and fro which I can keep the horizontal and parallel references.

It sounds complicated, but I stocked built the frame in half an afternoon and am now waiting for 3M adhesives to attached the fixtures.

[Ian G.]

Luis, sorry to hear about your experience with the shop.
Please identify the name of the shop so no one else experiences what you did.
You cannot get into trouble for mentioning facts.

[Luis]

Elements of rig used for fixing top railings ....and end result

[Rick Mooyman]

Hi Luis, sorry to hear about your trouble with the shop. Yes Like Ian mentioned do tell us all who that shop is so others can avoid the troubles you had.

By the looks of your pics your skill level looks like you should be able to do it all yourself. GREAT work by the way. I am following your progress as I love to see these trailers saved. I went through a complete restore on my 1971 Boler and still working on it.

Rick

[Luis]

...Tried the large side windows in with the insulation and carpeting (imagined) for fit and they look great.

the new HERH windows have a bottom opening which allow for air circulation even in rainy conditions.

Need to buy the seal to install the plexi glass front and back window now.

Anyone knows where to source this from and specs. hopefully?
Please help.

[Luis]

My design philosophy calls for NO PENETRATIONS to FG other than windows, door and Minimal services.

however, structurally I am concerned with overhead support anchors coming loose and affecting a lot of finished work should I need to uncover carpeting etc. to repair.

I am feeling inclined to risk water penetration and deviate from design philosophy and have one or two screwed supports on each anchor.

What design solutions have you all used in the past to screw through the FG and seal for water damage, etc....

Please help! thanks,
Luis

[GMike A]

I considered using these and glassing right into the ceiling or side and then put a corresponding threaded insert in the wood. wont go anywhere me thinks

STUDS - BONDABLE bigHead® THREADED - STAINLESS - Bondable Bolts for Insert Molding - EFC SCREWS, BOLTS, STUDS & PINS

[D Davis]

Luis, I love the Herh side windows with the fact that you can open them in the rain. Much prettier than the Jalousie windows. You are really doing a lot of work there. Can't wait till you finish. Thanks for sharing your progression.

[Luis]

thanks for the suggestion Gmike A, I think these solutions are not what I am after. The wood to FG join was done with high end 3M adhesives.

I have tried 420, 100, and 110 series, each works better for specific use. I think the 100 is the best one so far, although 110 also works fine. 420 is harder and probaly more brittle, specially in lower temperatures, so I will abstain from further use.

Glue-ing or Fiber glassing the proposed screws to the inside of the FG would IMO not offer me additional holding power. My thought is a through anchor! a screw with its head supported on the outside, and with appropriate water penetration protection.

This way Anything I attach to the wood anchor inside, sill stay put!

I am just over killing this I'm sure.

Regards,
Luis

[Robert Johans]

I have used stainless steel carriage bolts thru the shell to hold upper cabinets tight.


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[Luis]

Robert, yes this is what I am after.

Found the address of a specialized retailer in town and am planning to visit later today.

Do you have a design for water penetration protection, and for holding the head of the bolt/screw on the FG side better? a washer set up of a kind?

I was thinking making a wood piece to distribute loads better outside and prevent too much stress on the bolt head's bearing face to the FB.

Do we like splitting angel hairs here or what? wow!

What sealant would you recommend?
thanks,
Luis

[Robert Johans]

As you probably know, a carriage bolt has a square "head" under the "crown". For a 1/4" bolt, I drill a 1/4" hole, then use a small machinists's file to square the round hole. The bolt pushes through the shell and through a specially shaped block of wood that is slathered with epoxy. A washer and nut then snug the block to the shell. After the epoxy sets up, I remove the bolt, wrap the head with butyl putty, then re-insert and tighten. Cabinets are then secured to the block.


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[Luis]

Installed 1/4" ss Allen head screws, with cedar back up blocks outside( to be sanded and epoxy painted, installed with putty,WTD...)

There is now strong overhead supports in all 4 corners for galley cabinet , and read/side shelving.

Advanced galley hvac and services openings in the front.

Making progress!

[Luis]

Had some help from visiting family! Hurray


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[Luis]

Winter has come!

got more insulation and a full set of hulliner and marine canvas to cover up the inside FG in preparation of the final built.

Need to find a friend with an insulated garage though to warm up the trailer and apply the tack glue....

will give an update as soon as its done.