yas
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'63 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by yas on Mar 31, 2014 15:45:30 GMT -8
We bought 4x8 sheets of 1/8" birch plywood in Albuquerque this fall when we were replacing the damaged parts of our Compact. We're bringing our Airflyte home next week (YAY!) - we'll be camping in it on the way home (YAY!) - and we know we're going to need to replace paneling under the leaky front windows and the door. But our source for the elusive 1/8" birch has dried up! Two questions: 1) I'm assuming the vertical panels on a '63 Airflyte are 1/8" and not 1/4". Correct? The Airflyte is still 900 miles away so I can't go out in the garage and check. 2) Does anyone know of a source somewhere along our journey? We'll have our truck, and the trailer on the way west, so we can transport 4x8 sheets. Amarillo Hardwood doesn't have any. Colorado Springs wouldn't be too far out of our way. We'll be near Springfield, MO, for several days, that would be the most convenient.
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Mar 31, 2014 16:07:32 GMT -8
I do not normally use 1/8", I find the more commonly found 1/4" works just fine for me, even on the end curves.
But......keep in mind that I do not replace my panels from the inside. They are replaced with the roof off. So for me, the 1/4" works fine with just some ratchet straps to get it to follow my desired direction. I place the panel edge with a rafter over it, then pull the panel down with straps and place another rafter at about 12" intervals. The panels are nailed and glued to the rafters.
On your flat walls, why not just use 1/4"?
I still buy only the "best quality, domestic made" birch to avoid cracks and voids.
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Mar 31, 2014 16:17:52 GMT -8
Just to quick-answer the original question, yes, the wall and ceiling panels are all 1/8" in the '63 Airflyte. (Not that you couldn't do something different...)
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Post by schweetcruisers on Mar 31, 2014 16:48:38 GMT -8
I can call my supply house in Denver tomorrow and find out if they still have any, if they do I could pick it up and meet you Colorado Springs or if you want to pick your own sheets I can just give you their info.
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Post by schweetcruisers on Apr 1, 2014 14:38:24 GMT -8
My lumber yard in Denver has it, $24.04 plus tax a sheet.
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yas
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'63 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by yas on Apr 1, 2014 14:48:20 GMT -8
Schweetcruisers,
Thanks for the offer! I can't ask you to bring me sheets - Denver won't be that far off my path and if I don't go there this trip, I'll go that way other times this year. Could you PM me the name of your lumber yard?
- Yas
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Post by schweetcruisers on Apr 1, 2014 15:04:59 GMT -8
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Apr 1, 2014 15:53:10 GMT -8
Hey, I will take some of that...you could bring it to me...!
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HOTRODPRIMER
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1957 Shasta
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Post by HOTRODPRIMER on Apr 3, 2014 13:31:58 GMT -8
SusieQ clued me in on the source in South Carolina. Danny www.hooddistribution.com/locations/greenville.phpBirch, White, Natural and Red Plywood from Hood Distribution Birch, White, Natural & Red White Birch, Sweet Birch, and Yellow Birch make up the Birch species. Birch grows in the United States and Canada. It has a fine texture with straight grain that contains yellow sapwood and brown heartwood with a tinge of reddish color. Birch is hard and heavy in weight. It has good machining and excellent finishing characteristics. Birch is used for a painted or stained interior application. 1/8" A-4 Bending
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 3, 2014 14:15:13 GMT -8
In reply to what John Palmer said...
For someone who has done a lot of this it sounds like it works for you. It wouldn't work for me. It won't work for people who are doing any of this for the first time. It didn't work for SusieQ and she even kerfed the back of the paneling. I think before I went quarter inch on the radius I would use luan with paper thin birch veneer. Something I'm actually going to try with Ash soon. Just a thought and not something I have tested yet but when I do you can bet there will be a video.
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Apr 3, 2014 15:29:02 GMT -8
In reply to what John Palmer said... For someone who has done a lot of this it sounds like it works for you. It wouldn't work for me. It won't work for people who are doing any of this for the first time. It didn't work for SusieQ and she even kerfed the back of the paneling. I think before I went quarter inch on the radius I would use luan with paper thin birch veneer. Something I'm actually going to try with Ash soon. Just a thought and not something I have tested yet but when I do you can bet there will be a video. Your correct, I would not want to use 1/4" panels in a trailer "production line" environment every day.
And I'm certainly not a professional in restoring trailer's, so you need to take any advice I give "with a grain of salt", LOL.
But I do work full time, rebuilding three to four 1950's trailer's every year, mixed in with other repairs. I only report what works for me, others can report what works for them on their projects.
I will have three fully "restored trailers" in San Diego at the Campland Vintage Trailer Rally next weekend. Saturday 4/12 is an "open house" day, everyone is welcome to come see how 1/4" Birch bends, on vintage canned hams.
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mobiltec
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1954 Jewel In Progress...
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 3, 2014 17:34:55 GMT -8
Dang I really would like to see you do that. The reason I have doubts is because I can't see how you keep the middle from wanting to bend out, even with the rafters attached. If you're putting out 4 50s canned hams a year you must have the process down though. I have a hard enough time with 1/8 inch. Wouldn't want to try it with 1/4 inch at all.
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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 Apr 3, 2014 19:12:36 GMT -8
Dang I really would like to see you do that. The reason I have doubts is because I can't see how you keep the middle from wanting to bend out, even with the rafters attached. If you're putting out 4 50s canned hams a year you must have the process down though. I have a hard enough time with 1/8 inch. Wouldn't want to try it with 1/4 inch at all. Larry, maybe I'll do a You Tube for you! LOL I'm just kidding, because I can't even post photos here.
I do everything including the framing, skin, and roofs "by myself" without a helper, so I have learned a couple of tricks along the way on how to hold things in place.
It's all good, the best part of these little trailers is being able to stay busy building something, and still not call it work.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Apr 3, 2014 19:53:55 GMT -8
I really wish more people would post videos while actually performing the work. Makes it so much easier to see how something is done. Im no pro at this either... Especially here. I just share my own experiences along with you and the others. The videos were an accident. I got sick of typing. Hard to explain in text as well. So I did a video for a friend and it stuck.
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Post by vikx on Apr 4, 2014 21:10:48 GMT -8
I'm the photo person, nobody to do a video...
I used to do almost all of the work myself, which can pose some interesting situations. Clamps are my best friend, and ropes. LOL.
All I can say here is that I appreciate ALL of you sharing your experiences. Thanks.
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