man314
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Post by man314 on Nov 14, 2014 6:19:56 GMT -8
This site is a wealth of inspiration, information, and advice. Lots of tidbits spread throughout the thousands of posts. Thought it would be interesting to start a post that summarizes advice from the veterans to the newbies who are just getting into the vintage trailer lifestyle. So . . .
What one piece of advice would you give to those starting out?
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Nov 14, 2014 6:35:10 GMT -8
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Nov 16, 2014 6:21:56 GMT -8
Here ya go Susie. It's just a website with all the videos listed. The videos are free of advertising so your time will not be wasted watching stupid ads. www.cannedhamtrailers.com |
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man314
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Post by man314 on Nov 16, 2014 7:35:52 GMT -8
I've seen these links and read them front to back . . . a couple of times. Great info here! I'm currently in the mode of watching mobitec's videos. (may even binge watch series today as we have 8" of snow here today).
Everyone on this board I'm sure has a few pieces of advice to share or lessons learned with others just starting out. I started this thread hoping to solicit these tidbit of info from everyone who has experience in vintage trailers.
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bagpipeswest
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Post by bagpipeswest on Nov 16, 2014 8:05:11 GMT -8
Let's see....
Remember you bought the trailer knowing that you will have a nice prize at the end of your restoration. Keep telling yourself " I'm doing this because I enjoy it"
take your time. I you make a mistake then do it again. I have had made many mistakes.
If your doing a full resto. ie. replacing the inside walls I would do your resto inside a building if you can. I did mine outside. This way you can take the roof off and take the walls down.
I would generally spend 3 times more thinking about it than it took me to do it.
Mobiltec ( canned ham trailers ) Help me out alot. I would always ask him questions.
cheers
Brent
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Post by bigbill on Nov 16, 2014 8:13:46 GMT -8
The best advice I could offer is DON'T, once you start this hobby it is hard to quit. Seriously the best advice I could offer a person starting out is don't be shy ask questions about things you don't understand. Then remember that these trailer were constructed by very simple means in a shop using very little machinery mostly saws and staplers. The single biggest mistake is trying to not fix things properly as you go, short cuts are killers, then down the road you find you have a problem. Fix it right the first time. It will save you time and money.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Nov 16, 2014 9:40:14 GMT -8
Invest in a Dremel if you don't have one. You'll need it for slotting rusted screws.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Nov 16, 2014 13:35:40 GMT -8
Speaking of tools,,,, Learn to EMBRACE Harbor Freight....  |
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4sweeper
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Post by 4sweeper on Nov 16, 2014 13:35:57 GMT -8
Do what YOU want to your trailer. If you want to change something or add something new or different, then do it. It's yours. I've had to remind myself of that a few times.
And keep reading all the other threads and posts on the site. Sometimes you don't know that something is going to be a valuable tidbit until you're much further into your project. And often people post a tidbit that they don't even realize is hugely helpful to somebody else. I spent hours and hours through the winter last year poring over the the threads and the vast amount of valuable information here. I think my favourites are the "What did you do to your trailer today" threads.
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bmxovich
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Post by bmxovich on Nov 16, 2014 18:32:21 GMT -8
Most important thing I can tell you is, focus on one thing at a time. Don't look at the entire project and everything you need to do until it's finished, you'll get discouraged. Have a plan and stick to it. It sounds simple, but it's tough for many people to do. Plug along and you'll be camping before you know it.
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Post by danrhodes on Nov 18, 2014 13:55:38 GMT -8
Speaking of tools,,,, Learn to EMBRACE Harbor Freight.... I only get down to my nearest every couple months. Going by again on 12/2. I have most basic carpentry tools, so my list now includes: pocket screw jig palm nailer Can you think of some other stuff I'll need? |
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Nov 18, 2014 14:26:10 GMT -8
Take a lot of pictures from the beginning and throughout the process. I also have a few good headlamps to wear when I work.. kind of dark in my shop when inside the Shasta, peeking in the corners, and crawling around underneath the trailer. I went on kind of a tool binge over the past few weeks (grin) in anticipation of working on my first trailer project. A couple of tool recommendations (certainly not all encompassing and coming from a newb, take it for what it's worth): Tool that you can get under the head of tiny nails (I found a tiny crowbar looking thing that works; Mobiltec has a screwdriver tool with a flattend V in it); I've heard of folks making one out of an old screwdriver if you can't find one in a store. I grabbed a multi tool and a saws all from HF last week, looking forward to using them (grin). A good handfull of clamps for various purposes. I grabbed a pocket hole jig also. Roll of masking tape to mark some things you remove, and, a few Sharpies to mark the metal pieces you can write on. I have always been a fan of pull saws (Shark Saw is one name brand) so I grabbed a couple of them in different sizes... really cut fast and clean. I have an old table saw, a chop saw (mitre), and a jig saw that I'll be employing in the process also. Grabbed a few new blades for the jig saw. Carpenters pencils  . Dust masks. Pieces of tin to use as bracing for framework when pocket hole jig isn't an option. I'm also searching for some large pieces of cardboard I can use to make framing templates when needed. Whew, long winded... sorry. |
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Nov 18, 2014 14:48:31 GMT -8
Speaking of tools,,,, Learn to EMBRACE Harbor Freight.... I only get down to my nearest every couple months. Going by again on 12/2. I have most basic carpentry tools, so my list now includes: pocket screw jig palm nailer Can you think of some other stuff I'll need? Get the Multi-Tool while at HF... $20 or less. It's a must have. |
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Post by danrhodes on Nov 18, 2014 14:52:19 GMT -8
I only get down to my nearest every couple months. Going by again on 12/2. I have most basic carpentry tools, so my list now includes: pocket screw jig palm nailer Can you think of some other stuff I'll need? Get the Multi-Tool while at HF... $20 or less. It's a must have. Is that one of those vibrating blade thingees? I work for a company that makes them and have never really found a use other than a door jam trimmer that a small reciprocating saw couldn't do better. |
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RJ
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Post by RJ on Nov 18, 2014 15:06:39 GMT -8
Dan, yah. The multi tools can sure be handy for cutting paneling (vibrating blade) and other thin stock w/o removing it from the frame, the putty knife shaped blade attachment is money for removing flooring, countertop laminates, and other glued material, and the triangle shaped sander attachment works well for sanding in tight corners where you can't get a vibrating sander or even a block sander into. Just my .02. The one I picked up at HF with three attachments was $39 and as mobiltec mentioned in his VIDs, the replacement blades are much cheapter to buy for a HF tool than for the more expensive name brands. RJ
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. Dust masks. Pieces of tin to use as bracing for framework when pocket hole jig isn't an option. I'm also searching for some large pieces of cardboard I can use to make framing templates when needed. Whew, long winded... sorry. 