JT
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62' Shasta Astrodome
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Post by JT on Jul 5, 2015 19:46:25 GMT -8
I'm Back! (Not that anyone was missing me after my last thread, two years ago.) I acquired a 62' Shasta Astrodome 2 years ago. Not surprisingly it need some significant help due to rotting wood unfortunately, it didn't fit into the garage and therefore difficult to pull the skins start working on it. So this project has been on hold for some time. Now the garage issue is fixed, the skins came off i'm currently reframing the entire front end. Here is a like to my gallery to show the progress: s861.photobucket.com/user/jkgauger1/library/BAT%20Dome?sort=2&page=2I do have a couple questions - - I live near Appleton, WI and I'm looking for 1/8" birch. Any ideas? I found a source in Detroit (public lumber) but shipping is silly expensive. - I'm getting close to pulling out the old tiles. They are original. I'm guessing they are Asbestos. Anyone familiar with this trailer and able to confirm if they are or are not asbestos containing? (I'm also interested in flooring suggestions) Many thanks! JT
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Post by vikx on Jul 5, 2015 21:04:10 GMT -8
Good job you're doing! Glad you have the room to skin it and fix it right.
I would "guess" the tiles might contain asbestos but the only way to know for sure is to test them. To pull them, consider a light dampening with water to keep the dust down.
Others will chime in to help with flooring suggestions. Welcome back!
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Post by vintagebruce on Jul 6, 2015 4:04:21 GMT -8
I am a retired Safety Consultant. My next few comments are not based on any scientific research I have done. They are my opinions and mine alone. This is a quote from Asbestos.com, when I did a search on...how long does it take to develop cancer after exposure to asbestos...
"The typical mesothelioma latency period is 20 to 50 years, with recent studies finding a median of 30 to 45 years. Under normal circumstances, the shortest possible latency period is 10 to 15 years, while the longest is more than 50 years. The time period depends on a number of factors such as the duration and intensity of asbestos exposure, as well as the patient’s gender and the type of mesothelioma."
From what I believe to be true, asbestos must be inhaled and when it is a certain size called friable, it's jagged little surface profile allows it to adhere to lung tissue and not be exhaled, and the process of developing cancer related illness may begin.
Short term exposure, one time exposure while removing a relatively small amount of floor tiles, in my opinion, should not automatically qualify you for part of the 18 billion dollar mesothelioma settlement monies. If you do not inhale a measurable amount of friable size particles of asbestos, but, as vikx says dampen and hinder production of asbestos dust (friable sized particles included in dust) then you should respect the task but not fear it...again ONLY my opinion. I would suggest NEVER sand remnants of asbestos tiles, scrape what you can and use a floor leveling product to smooth what you can not scrape. I also suggest if you only need to drill/cut a small hole through asbestos laden floor tiles, mark your spot and place the drill bit or hole saw attachment in position and then with your free hand squirt some Barbasol or other equally cheap shaving cream on the spot and drill away. When finished clean up the foam with a moist paper towel and "dispose according to state and federal regulations"...hint double bag it and put it in the garbage can. My final suggestion...unless you are properly trained in a certified training program as a Certified Asbestos Removal Professional, do not advertise in your local penny pincher that you will remove vintage travel trailer flooring cheap.
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Jul 6, 2015 6:25:03 GMT -8
Many who have gone before you with the flooring projects have had theirs tested, and in many cases the test results have come back negative as to the presence of aesbestos. Bruce's hints are all dead on the money if you do not know for sure. Testing may be available nearby and may be a good idea to put your mind at ease.
Also, if you are a pretty good carpenter...lots better than I am, you may be able to overlay the flooring with a luaun surface and leave it right there. Aesbestos is not a threat at all if it is undisturbed. The extra thickness would have to be accounted for with regard to the bottoms of the cabinets and all, but it is possible to do. I have seen flooring done both ways, with sheet vinyl and with tiles. My personal favorites are the ones done in VCT tile. I'm afraid my feeble memory fails me and I can't point to a definite source. I do remember vaguely some discussions about the availability of 9" tile to replace the originals, as well as methods for cutting the 12" tile down to 9". I am sure that last statement was really no help, but it sounded good in my head just before it fell out...
My best wishes to you finding 1/8" birch. I also live in and area where most folks will look at you like you have a third eyeball when asking for that size. I found one supplier that could order it in from three states away, and the cost was somewhere near a second mortgage, thus my Airflyte is stalled in the shop.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Jul 6, 2015 15:52:26 GMT -8
Just assume the tiles or the adhesive contains asbestos, and work accordingly. Like others said, keep the surface very slightly damp - to decrease the dust and the airborne particles, wear a respirator mask, and bag all the detritus carefully. Then bag it again. You can lay luan over the existing floor, then tiles, as Ten suggested, but if you, or someone else is very tall, they may find that the extra 1/ 2 inch less ceiling height really makes a difference.
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JT
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62' Shasta Astrodome
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Post by JT on Jul 6, 2015 16:44:00 GMT -8
Thank you for all of the advice regarding the asbestos. Interesting on the latency period and how it attaches to the lungs. I like the idea of placing the luan over the top and sealing it in although I do have some areas were it is pealing up or altogether missing so keeping it level could be tricky.
Regarding the 1/8" birch. I think I have a trip to Motown in my near future.
I'll keep the updates coming as my busy life permits me to work on it. My side project is sheeting the ceiling of the garage and adding heat so I can really rock and roll this winter.
All the best!
JT
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elewayne
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Post by elewayne on Jul 9, 2015 7:35:17 GMT -8
In Houston, even my Home Depot has 1/8" birch plywood. $10.00 a sheet. But that being said, In Denver where we were living for some years, I couldn't find any in town. The dry air turned a stack of the stuff into potato chips in no time. Try to find a "Hardwood dealer" rather than a lumber yard( two different things entirely) They will be the ones to stock 1/8" plywood. It may be sold as door skins. That's how I always ask for it. I've been a furniture and cabinet maker for 40 years. Good luck on your trailer, looks cool. Wayne
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