School Bus Conversion Website

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Conversion Log: 2006 Galleries

January 1 : Shellacking is complete.

January 1

Shellacking is complete.

Updated: Jan 01, 2006 4:48pm PST

January 2 : We wrapped up a few tasks today -- re-surfacing the front steps. covering the light openings near the roofline, removing the folding front door and cleaning the replacement front door.

January 2

We wrapped up a few tasks today -- re-surfacing the front steps. cover ...

Updated: Jan 02, 2006 4:59pm PST

January 8 : This weekend we installed the RV door in place of the standard folding bus door. The RV door was smaller in both dimensions, so we were required to build a frame. The tubing we used was 1/16th" thick, 1 1/4" square. The door is 6" narrower and 3" shorter than the existing opening.

January 8

This weekend we installed the RV door in place of the standard folding ...

Updated: Jan 08, 2006 5:21pm PST

January 14 : Today we installed 2 windows. These horizontal sliders were purchased from JC Whitney, though they seem to have run out recently. Their customer service people are trying to find more via the special order process, so we'll see if we can get the remaining 6 windows we need. We have another option -- marine windows from Fuller-Brush. UPDATE: We found our remaining 6 windows at Buccaneer Manufacturing. Our radius-corner, model 5900s should arrive in 3 weeks.

January 14

Today we installed 2 windows. These horizontal sliders were purchased ...

Updated: Jan 14, 2006 5:21pm PST

January 21 : Today we finished installing the oak hardwood flooring. We found this 180 square feet of flooring on ebay, leftover from a house remodel in Phoenix. Cost was about $0.60/sq ft. Not bad! With the leftovers we'll cover the wheel well boxes to give them added strength.

January 21

Today we finished installing the oak hardwood flooring. We found this ...

Updated: Jan 21, 2006 5:04pm PST

January 22 : Today we applied the remaining oak flooring to to tops of the wheel well boxes. Also, we moved in our first appliance -- a gas stove! Yippee!

January 22

Today we applied the remaining oak flooring to to tops of the wheel we ...

Updated: Jan 22, 2006 4:45pm PST

January 28 : We spent the day refurbishing a kitchen counter/sink unit. We got it for free from a nice guy up the street (hi Jake!) who was remodeling a house. There was extensive water damage to the particle board base and side, but the sink and overall structure were sound.

January 28

We spent the day refurbishing a kitchen counter/sink unit. We got it ...

Updated: Jan 28, 2006 7:30pm PST

January 29 : Today we made cabinet doors for the kitchen counter/sink unit, and installed a new faucet. We also started making a custom butcher block for another small counter unit (not pictured).

January 29

Today we made cabinet doors for the kitchen counter/sink unit, and ins ...

Updated: Jan 29, 2006 5:29pm PST

February 11 : Today we built the support for the sit-down shower. The tub had to be raised to accommodate the hight of the P-trap; to do this we used the leftover cedar 4" x 4"s from the deck and topped them with boards from our box garden.

February 11

Today we built the support for the sit-down shower. The tub had to be ...

Updated: Feb 11, 2006 6:26pm PST

February 12 : The shower enclosure is framed with 2 x 2, cased with 1/2" OSB on the shower side, and 1/2" plywood on the non-shower wall sides. If that makes sense. :-)

February 12

The shower enclosure is framed with 2 x 2, cased with 1/2" OSB on the ...

Updated: Feb 12, 2006 6:00pm PST

March 4 : Today we installed the Hehr Model 5900 windows. These were custom ordered via Buccaneer Manufacturing for our wall thickness and available space. The size allows the window to fit in the available space above the kicthen counter/stove backsplash.

March 4

Today we installed the Hehr Model 5900 windows. These were custom ord ...

Updated: Mar 04, 2006 5:45pm PST

March 5 : Our mission for today: Install this PrecisionTemp RV-500 on-demand water heater.

March 5

Our mission for today: Install this PrecisionTemp RV-500 on-demand wa ...

Updated: Mar 05, 2006 6:52pm PST

March 18 : We lost a weekend due to the much-needed 20" snowfall. Today we plumbed the greywater tank and part of the freshwater system.

March 18

We lost a weekend due to the much-needed 20" snowfall. Today we plu ...

Updated: Mar 18, 2006 7:27pm PST

March 19 : Today we built the shower enclosure. We used 2 4' x 8' almond-colored FRP panels.

March 19

Today we built the shower enclosure. We used 2 4' x 8' almond-colored ...

Updated: Mar 19, 2006 5:26pm PST

March 26 : This weekend we nearly finished the kitchen cabinets buildout, and also wrapped up a few loose ends.

March 26

This weekend we nearly finished the kitchen cabinets buildout, and als ...

Updated: Mar 26, 2006 5:58pm PST

April 2 : This weekend we added a rear deck to the bus for storage. We also completed some of the cabinet doors for the kitchen pantry, and finished the birch paneling around the front door. The front of the tub was also finished.

April 2

This weekend we added a rear deck to the bus for storage. We also c ...

Updated: Apr 02, 2006 7:05pm PST

April 16th : We began building the bathroom enclsure and finished the kitchen pantry.

April 16th

We began building the bathroom enclsure and finished the kitchen pantr ...

Updated: Apr 16, 2006 7:36pm PST

April 22 : Today we constructed the shielding for the area surrounding the Tiny Tot solid fuel stove. The stove will be located on the rear passenger-side wheel well, behind the bathroom.

April 22

Today we constructed the shielding for the area surrounding the Tiny T ...

Updated: Apr 23, 2006 7:17pm PST

April 23rd : Today we installed three windows on the passenger side in the kitchen/office area. We used the same process on the other kitchen windows.

April 23rd

Today we installed three windows on the passenger side in the kitchen/ ...

Updated: Apr 23, 2006 6:45pm PST

May 7th : Today we built the propane storage box.

May 7th

Today we built the propane storage box.

Updated: May 09, 2006 7:25pm PST

May 15 : Today we began building the bed frame...which will also double as the freshwater tank frame and storage area.

May 15

Today we began building the bed frame...which will also double as the ...

Updated: May 15, 2006 11:14am PST

May 20 : Today we completed the bed/storage/water tank frame. We also finished the freshwater supply system.

May 20

Today we completed the bed/storage/water tank frame. We also finished ...

Updated: May 20, 2006 7:13pm PST

May 28 : Today we completed the plumbing of the propane system, and installed the bathroom window.

May 28

Today we completed the plumbing of the propane system, and installed t ...

Updated: May 28, 2006 6:30pm PST

May 29 : Today we began installing the Tiny Tot solid-fuel stove.

May 29

Today we began installing the Tiny Tot solid-fuel stove.

Updated: May 29, 2006 7:41pm PST

June 4 : Today we continued the installation of the solid-fuel heater.

June 4

Today we continued the installation of the solid-fuel heater.

Updated: Jun 04, 2006 8:08pm PST

June 11 : Today I attached the four solar panels to the roof deck. The panel models we have are Kyocera KC-120s. They are just over 2' x 4' in size, and weigh about 25 lbs each. We'll attach them using a simple combination of aluminum angle stock.

June 11

Today I attached the four solar panels to the roof deck. The panel ...

Updated: Jun 12, 2006 10:50am PST

June 15 : Today we began the process of painting the bus. We're going to paint the body Cleo, and the rub rails and the door stripes International Green.

June 15

Today we began the process of painting the bus. We're going to paint ...

Updated: Jun 16, 2006 9:28am PST

June 16 : The bus is finally painted. Overall, we're pleased with it. Basic, utilitarian, and (we hope) durable. Time will tell! One major recommendation I have...paint your bus early in the game -- before things like windows, decks, and other exterior items are added. The taping and masking took nearly as much time as primer and paint! Paint early! :-)

June 16

The bus is finally painted. Overall, we're pleased with it. Basic, ...

Updated: Jun 16, 2006 8:08pm PST

July 4 : This update covers solar panel wiring and battery tray construction.

July 4

This update covers solar panel wiring and battery tray construction.

Updated: Jul 07, 2006 2:09pm PST

July 7 : This evening I finished the battery hold-down apparatus and began building a box to protect the batteries from weather.

July 7

This evening I finished the battery hold-down apparatus and began buil ...

Updated: Jul 07, 2006 8:33pm PST

July 9 : Today the battery wiring was completed and conduit was run from the battery enclosure to the bus interior.

July 9

Today the battery wiring was completed and conduit was run from the ba ...

Updated: Jul 10, 2006 1:15pm PST

July 24 : We've been busy beavers for the past few weeks! Our move-in date is July 31st -- and there are quite a few items to finish yet!

July 24

We've been busy beavers for the past few weeks! Our move-in date is Ju ...

Updated: Jul 24, 2006 8:50pm PST

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