Level Cabinets

[DavidInWilmNC]

I'm getting ready to install kitchen cabinets in my MC-8.... finally.  I know the floor slopes quite a bit plus my bus doesn't sit on a particularly level spot.  What is a good reference to use for installing the cabinets?  I haven't taken down the boxing above the windows (the part that supported the overhead storage) and it appears to be at least straight.  Is there any part of an old MCI that's supposed to be level when the bus is on a level surface?  What have others done to get reasonably level cabinets in their buses?  Thanks for any ideas.

David

[JackConrad]

David,
    Measure down from the top of the wall and snap a chalkline on the wall. Use this as a reference to keep you countertops straight. The floor slope can be compensated for in the toe kick. If I remember correctly, the slope is a little less than 1/8" per foot.  Jack

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi David,

I found that the window openings are the most level lines [front to back] in your bus.

I used a laser level on the window planes to shoot a level line across the walls. This helped me to

place the walls, kitchen cabnets, and counter tops. It works for horrizonal and virtical.

Good luck
Nick-

[gr8njt]

I used the VERTICAL posts of the windows as reference. They are the closest right angle (90 degrees) to the roofline.
I then used a T-square from these vertical lines as a reference to create the HORIZONTAL lines front to back.
Unless your bus is jacked up on blocks and perfectly level, plumb bobs & level based lasers will not be accurate.

[Danny]

Good advice - I used the window frames and it worked great...

Danny

[DavidInWilmNC]

I guess the vertical window frames and a big square will get me about as level as I'm going to get.  Thanks for the input!

David

[belfert]

All I'll say is I had a heck of a time getting stuff like walls square in the bus.  I used the floor as a reference since it is flat in my bus.  We used squares and still had problems with things being out of square at corners and such.  It is going to be a whole lot of fun getting the finishing material to look good when the corners aren't all square.

Brian Elfert

[kyle4501]

If you can't level the bus, I'd suggest getting 3 levels & use one for front to rear & one for side to side, & one for up/ down. Mark each end so you don't loose track & shim them to compensate for the bus being out of level. Then proceed as usual.

Personally, I'm gona try to level my bus. . . when I get to that part 

[DrivingMissLazy]

One of the most difficult construction jobs I ever witnessed was the construction of a luxury yacht in Italy. I do not remember the name of the boatyard but the boat was constructed on the ways that sloped down from the boat yard floor to the water about ten feet below. I really do not know the angle of construction, but I would guess somewhere between 20 and 25 degrees. To this day I have no idea how the workers built the yachts so that when they were launched everything was plumb and level.
Richard

[kyle4501]

One of the most difficult construction jobs I ever witnessed was the construction of a luxury yacht in Italy. I do not remember the name of the boatyard but the boat was constructed on the ways that sloped down from the boat yard floor to the water about ten feet below. I really do not know the angle of construction, but I would guess somewhere between 20 and 25 degrees. To this day I have no idea how the workers built the yachts so that when they were launched everything was plumb and level.
Richard

They must have done a few & taken good notes 

That is probably part of the reason they get a premium for their work.