Step one. Bought the van.
Hello Everybody, First post. I camp a lot in tents but after spending three days straight in a tent in the rain at Dolly Sods I swore I'd make a change. Here it is. Bought it Wednesday. Dro...
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Kitchen Cabinet, Post 2
Take my measurements and come up with a plan.
I originally wondered if constructing the cabinet like a modern building, steel superstructure with non-load bearing walls, might be the best way to save weight since lighter is better. Once assembly began and I started really thinking about what I want to do, a steel framework is the only way to go. Cut out lengths of 3/4" angle iron.
I overlapped the base angle iron instead of miter cutting because of the step edging. Had to notch the top edge for the uprights.
Here's the finished framework next to the mock-up. I used the same overlap weld for the top frame after seeing how the bottom turned out. It's less work and should be fine since the top will be heavy plywood.
Do test fit in the van.
Here's the step edge I was trying to clear with the overlap.
Rough cut a countertop. This is purposefully larger than needed since I'll be refining the design.
Here I'm trying to find what would be the perfect height for the counter top. I've got a couple of white dishpans that will become part of the cabinet design. The thought is I'll wash dishes in one pan, rinse in the sink and stack in the other dishpan. The sink would be recessed so it's acting as a mixing bowl in my pantomime. On the floor to the left of the cabinet frame is a stack of wood scraps I was standing on. Varied the thickness of the wood stack so I could change my height relative to the countertop. Tried different thicknesses until I found the one height that felt the best.
Now that I've shop tested the frame it's time for a road test. Take the frame and the countertop and go camping.
Spend some time living with the cabinet frame inside the van and see how it fits.
Also took along one of the 5 gallon water cans to test different configurations of how to store the water. Took notes and make sketches.
Once I got back to the shop, changed the frame by making it two inches shorter and one inch narrower. The advantage of the steel frame. Just cut it and re-weld it.
continued -
Take my measurements and come up with a plan.
I originally wondered if constructing the cabinet like a modern building, steel superstructure with non-load bearing walls, might be the best way to save weight since lighter is better. Once assembly began and I started really thinking about what I want to do, a steel framework is the only way to go. Cut out lengths of 3/4" angle iron.
I overlapped the base angle iron instead of miter cutting because of the step edging. Had to notch the top edge for the uprights.
Here's the finished framework next to the mock-up. I used the same overlap weld for the top frame after seeing how the bottom turned out. It's less work and should be fine since the top will be heavy plywood.
Do test fit in the van.
Here's the step edge I was trying to clear with the overlap.
Rough cut a countertop. This is purposefully larger than needed since I'll be refining the design.
Here I'm trying to find what would be the perfect height for the counter top. I've got a couple of white dishpans that will become part of the cabinet design. The thought is I'll wash dishes in one pan, rinse in the sink and stack in the other dishpan. The sink would be recessed so it's acting as a mixing bowl in my pantomime. On the floor to the left of the cabinet frame is a stack of wood scraps I was standing on. Varied the thickness of the wood stack so I could change my height relative to the countertop. Tried different thicknesses until I found the one height that felt the best.
Now that I've shop tested the frame it's time for a road test. Take the frame and the countertop and go camping.
Spend some time living with the cabinet frame inside the van and see how it fits.
Also took along one of the 5 gallon water cans to test different configurations of how to store the water. Took notes and make sketches.
Once I got back to the shop, changed the frame by making it two inches shorter and one inch narrower. The advantage of the steel frame. Just cut it and re-weld it.
continued -
