kimberwarden
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17' 64 Oasis
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Post by kimberwarden on May 14, 2015 13:05:00 GMT -8
The wood at the top of my wheel wells is completely shot. It doesn't even have enough structure to hold itself together long enough to make a pattern from. Is there a trick to getting the shape right when I don't have a pattern?
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SusieQ
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'62 Shasta Compact
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Post by SusieQ on May 14, 2015 13:10:10 GMT -8
Use your skin for a pattern.
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Post by vikx on May 14, 2015 21:51:33 GMT -8
There's usually a support board running at the top of the wheel well opening to adjacent wall studs. The curve is made by cutting larger lumber to fit the gap and the curve with a jig or band saw. Below is actually a 2 x 2 at the top, then fillers, glued and screwed:  A belt sander works well to smooth edges and finesse the curve. |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on May 15, 2015 8:02:45 GMT -8
Vikx's advice is good!
I like to make my opening pattern out of a piece of scrape paneling, so I can sand and smooth it to my liking. Then I build my wheel wells out of multiple 3/4" thick poplar boards. My feeling is that two pieces (1 1/2" thick) of hard wood, with the grain running in different directions, glued and screwed together is going to last longer, and be more stable than a single piece of soft wood with the heart cut out of it.
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kimberwarden
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17' 64 Oasis
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Post by kimberwarden on May 28, 2015 10:26:55 GMT -8
I have a belt sander laying around from a previous life, but I've been too intimidated to use it. But thanks to this suggestion, I decided to stop being such a weenie, and now it's my new favorite tool! I still haven't used it to shape my wheel wells yet, but I already know it's going to be invaluable!
And Susie...using my skin as a pattern...why didn't I think of that? This was a big "duh!" moment for me! Since the skin was off, I hadn't even thought of it. Out of sight, out of mind! Gosh, the other wheel well would have been SO much easier if I had asked this question last fall!
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