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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Paladin on January 15, 2008, 01:54:07 PM

Title: I'm so stupid! Beginning stages of conversion work probably the hardest!
Post by: Paladin on January 15, 2008, 01:54:07 PM
I'm not sure what I was thinking, when I got my bus I thought for some reason that I'd yank up my old floor and toss down a new sub floor in a couple of weeks and then the real work would begin. After all, even though I knew it would be lot's of hard and dirty work that's the easy part right? The rest is the hard part right? WRONG!

I got my floors out and cleaned up long ago and now I've been adding, changing and modifying plans ever since. As soon as I think I'm ready to close her up I think of another chase I need to lay in there or a better way to do something.  So now I sit with supplies stacked up against the walls, the floor open again and adding more wire runs, plumbing for this or that, conduits for future expansion, better insulation ideas etc etc.... I still need to plan out my hvac needs too!

I'm thinking that like a house, if I can ever get the foundation done the rest will go much faster or at least I'll see more progress.

True?

Title: Re: I'm so stupid! Beginning stages of conversion work probably the hardest!
Post by: HB of CJ on January 15, 2008, 02:09:04 PM
Yep.  Are you having fun yet?  Welcome to our demented world.  :) :) :)
Title: Re: I'm so stupid! Beginning stages of conversion work probably the hardest!
Post by: buddydawg on January 15, 2008, 02:18:03 PM
I have found that is not wise to work to fast, it leaves more time for planning and making changes.  Rarely do you get it right the first time.  Every time I start a new project I change my mind at least 10 times.
Title: Re: I'm so stupid! Beginning stages of conversion work probably the hardest!
Post by: Jerry32 on January 15, 2008, 04:08:11 PM
some people buy a bus to work on and others buy one to use for an 'RV" suit yourself. I wanted an RV and it took six months and I can use it Jerry
Title: Re: I'm so stupid! Beginning stages of conversion work probably the hardest!
Post by: TomC on January 15, 2008, 04:14:44 PM
I solved the problem of the floor.  Number one, I left the original floor since it was in good shape and the plywood was much heavier duty then what's available today.  Number two- I ran all my wires down the bottom of the left wall on the with just my wall covering over it so I could both access it and add anything to it at anytime.  Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: I'm so stupid! Beginning stages of conversion work probably the hardest!
Post by: Dreamscape on January 15, 2008, 06:10:28 PM
Songman,

Most things don't go as well as planned on these critters. There is always something hidden, unplanned and not thought off. It's the nature of the beast. Don't worry about going to fast, just add what you want, make changes as you go and have fun doing it! If you get upset, stop and have a beer or two. At least your outlook will change.

Keep on keepin' on.
Title: Re: I'm so stupid! Beginning stages of conversion work probably the hardest!
Post by: bobofthenorth on January 15, 2008, 08:08:06 PM
We bought the bus "completed" so I'm not really qualified to speak to this subject.  I do however have a long term project in addition to the neverending repairs on the bus.  About 13 years ago now I started a 26' ocean going boat project.  I refuse to let it turn into work & it has been an enjoyable project all these years.  I find though that some of my most productive time is spent sitting in a chair contemplating my next work on the boat.  A few hours spent thinking (with a beer or two to lubricate my brain) can save plenty of hours and agravation later on.

Title: Re: I'm so stupid! Beginning stages of conversion work probably the hardest!
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on January 16, 2008, 03:38:07 AM
Hi Paladin,

I started planning my interior 2 years before I purchaced my bus. I made floor plans, drew pictures, and changed everything at least twice.

Then I purchaced the bus..  9 months later, we took our first trip. By no means was it done but, it was useable. It then took me 15 months

to save up for my paint job. All that time we drove it in black primer..  Man, was that black HOT in the summer time!

Good Luck
Nick-
Title: Re: I'm so stupid! Beginning stages of conversion work probably the hardest!
Post by: jackhartjr on January 16, 2008, 04:27:48 AM
BobOfTheNorth...JackOfTheSouth here; would it be possible to shoot a photo or two of the boat project to jackhartjr@aol.com ?
I have an Oday 22 I am trying to get in the water this spring.
Thanks a ton!
Jack
Title: Re: I'm so stupid! Beginning stages of conversion work probably the hardest!
Post by: Chaz on January 16, 2008, 06:24:38 AM
They are just like a house............never done.

By the way, Nick, it may have been hot but man is it cool lookin in that picture!!!!!!!!!! "Ol' skool rod" cool!!

Chaz
Title: Re: I'm so stupid! Beginning stages of conversion work probably the hardest!
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on January 16, 2008, 06:41:03 AM
Quote from: Chaz on January 16, 2008, 06:24:38 AM
They are just like a house............never done.

By the way, Nick, it may have been hot but man is it cool lookin in that picture!!!!!!!!!! "Ol' skool rod" cool!!

Chaz

Hi Chaz,
Yea, it was... I kinda miss the black a bit but, at 3' away, it didn't look so kool.
I kinda miss all the silly questions I would get when traveling. Is this gubberment? What up and comming rock band is this? lol
Nick-
Title: Re: I'm so stupid! Beginning stages of conversion work probably the hardest!
Post by: buddydawg on January 16, 2008, 06:57:58 AM
Oh the irony!!  A REFRIGERATION guy in a BLACK bus!!   :o