After living with our taped off van, we've come to realize that there isn't a ton of storage space so we start making a list of requirements for the cabinets
Our first stop was a Habitat REstore. We thought we might be able to modify someone's old cabinets to meet our needs. RESULTS: nothing Our second try was at the two local home improvement stores - Home Depot and Lowes. The standard kitchen cabinets were 24" - too deep. The standardard bathroom cabinets don't have a top drawer as they are made to hold a sink - no drawers. We spoke to a kitchen specialist about getting 2 special order cabinets. Price tag $1900. RESULT -will still have toe-kick, no finished back, and will be too tall. Try number three was the local lumber/hardware store Ring's End. We can get whatever we want! Yeah! They'll cut away the toe kick and supply us with a board to glue onto the back for the exposed cabinet. Beautiful color and drawer glides are attached front to back so no interference. Price tag $2900 not including counter tops or backsplashes. RESULT: We're getting closer with good ideas. We need to go back to get an updated price with the tops and with counters at 33". We also need to get a price for them to install the back. Try number four was to look for a cabinet maker. Some friends came over to give us some ideas and that evening I stumbled onto Thumbtack that is a way to look for construction help. I posted a description of what we were looking for and I've gotten two responses. We went to visit one cabinet maker and are corresponding with another. I think we may have a solution. We'll get exactly what we want.
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We're on Version 4.6 in fact. With the aid of AutoCad (learned while taking design classes) and many hours of moving things around I come up with a 2D plan for the bed platform. However, we really need a 3D plan so it's back to 'school' - tutorials and YouTube to the rescue . Soon, I'm drawing in 3D - SLOWLY - and we have our plan. We're looking to build the platform out of steel channel. It will be attached to the wall at the side bolts and to the floor at 4 base platforms. Strong like bull. Mark was familiar with a company called Unistrut that makes C-Channel steel bars along with fittings to attach the bars. Challenge : only one store in CT an hour away. Decided I had nothing to lose so I contacted the company to see if they would help. I've been trading emails with designs and parts lists for several weeks. There are tons of options for finishes and gage of steel so I'm waiting to firm up details and we'll be placing a order. And, we want to be sure the channels all face the proper way for the fittings to work
Time to dig out the masking tape and start laying the van out on the floor. Also time to confirm all the measurements. Here's where the iPad and OneNote came in handy. Back to ArcSite for a simple floor plan before we move on to CAD Drawings
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AuthorWe're a Connecticut couple that retired early so we can see our kids, grandkids and the world. We purchased a 2015 144" High Roof Sprinter Passenger Van and we're converting it ourselves into a camper. Archives
June 2016
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