Custom Build!

That looks great man!!

dont' put anything hot on that countertop. The spar will melt.

Urthworm_Life wrote:
Thanks for the compliment on the welds! What did you use for a finish on the pine? I worry about it being too soft. I thought it would be cool to pour that urethane or whatever it is and get that super deep look. Also thought about using a router to do a dinosaur skeleton and inlay my polished fossil fragments. Then go over the top with the poly. You are so correct on the layout of wiring. What a mess but I tried to keep it as simple as possible.

I used multiple coats of different sealers, the final coats being spar varnish. I tend to not use urethanes unless it is paramount to not change the color of the wood. Then, I will use a water based urethane. Yes, the thick urethane poured tops can be cool and adding in fossils sounds like a real interesting idea.

Here are some pine panel images:

Table, edge banded with Ipe-


Kitchen counter top, edge banded with Ipe--


Auxiliary counter top, edge banded with Walnut--


Overall, the pine counter tops are holding up. They are soft and now have a few scratches but that's OK for a Cowboy bunkhouse. :)

Thanks for the compliment on the welds! What did you use for a finish on the pine? I worry about it being too soft. I thought it would be cool to pour that urethane or whatever it is and get that super deep look. Also thought about using a router to do a dinosaur skeleton and inlay my polished fossil fragments. Then go over the top with the poly. You are so correct on the layout of wiring. What a mess but I tried to keep it as simple as possible.

Urthworm_Life wrote:
Evidently I don't know how to use this forum. If I move my cursor it will not let me continue.

So yes I will be checking out your build! Thanks again for the compliment as well as the information!!

Dunno' what the cursor problem is but it's not surprising as the software to operate the Forum is ancient.

You're welcome, it's always an interesting thing for me to see how others design and work. Many years ago, I was a road crew welder so I was checking out your welds. Very nice, each joint ground and smooth with adequate material used.

Yeah, even with plans, I forgot two things to install and had to backtrack---audio cable from the television location and a switch location in the kitchen. Luckily no wall panel removal was necessary. I don't think most folks know how complex the wiring layouts can be in a typical RV.

BTW, don't know if you got to it or not, but I saw in your videos that you were contemplating a pine panel counter top. I have two of them and a pine dining table. They are working out well for me.

Evidently I don't know how to use this forum. If I move my cursor it will not let me continue.

So yes I will be checking out your build! Thanks again for the compliment as well as the information!!

I REALLY appreciate your post!! I agree completely as to having good plans. There are also timesome I just stopped working and studied everything for hours to make sure it was right. Hahahahahahahaha A slow and tedious process but like you said it would suck to have to back up and remove walls etc. Especially since every thing in this unit is foam sealed, liquid nailed,etc. I have taken detailed pictures to fall back on later so I know where wiring is run etc.

Like what you're doing there. Very sturdy construction throughout.

FWIW, I gutted and restored a travel trailer. The build thread is in my signature line--The Cowboy/Hilton. Maybe you can get a few ideas out of it.

Tips: Insulate everything as best as you can. The good result will be with you forever. My Starcraft is really tight, very little outside noise and easy to heat and cool. I used Low-E windows, sliders. That was a good choice.

Have an electrical layout plan for both 120V AC and 12V DC. I used a couple of junction boxes in the ceiling cavity to make maintenance and upgrades possible. I also installed a 1" conduit in the ceiling to pull future wire, (should it be necessary). All electrical service distribution is initiated in one kitchen cabinet so distribution and service is easy. Locate batteries in the best locations for weight carrying and close in proximity to the distribution. I built my own 12V distribution panel, using switches and bus boxes to ease distribution and control. Inverter and solar charge controller are mounted on this panel.

The biggest and most important requirement with a project of this scope is the schedule and layout of the interior. Having good plans eased the work for me. It's a lot easier to look at a piece of paper and determine the orders of installation than having to go back and remove wall or ceiling panels.

Hopefully,fingers crossed,it will be just right..hahahaha

Looks like it is very well constructed, you've done a great job. I'd be worried about the weight though.