"Bendy Bus" VW Doka / 5th wheel camper kitbash

[Jim R]

Hi Andy
Shame about the filler shrinking. I have no doubt that you will get it sorted - just a few steps backwards to get there.
Love the surfboard.
Jim

[minitnkr]

Great short board w/scag. Spent 12 years in San Diego minutes from the beach. Never went beyond body surfing. Boogie boards don't count:smiling2:, but are great for the kids. Maybe a folded beach umbrella? PaulE

[Guest]

Thanks chaps. I think I'm having more fun with the extras than the main event right now!

The wife did suggest an umbrella Paul but I wasn't sure how I'd recreate the stretched fabric. A folded one might be more possible though.

She's given me a few more ideas so at least I have a few things to work on :smiling3:

[Mini Me]

Don't forget the plastic ware, paper plates and napkins. Can't have a decent picknick without the basket and blanket either.....Oh, don't forget the floaties made from old inner tubes....beach ball, badmitten, croquett etc.......:tongue-out3::tongue-out2::tongue-out: The torture never stops:tired:

[Guest]

Some great suggestions there thanks Rick, some of which I might even be able to manage :smiling5:

I'm sure I'd be better at this and enjoy it more if I had a bit of imagination and creativity rather than just copying what other people do lol

[Guest]

Knowing you Andy this is a minor set back with the shrinkage. You have the skills to sort it out.

[rtfoe]

Hi Andy, not going to say anything 'cos I know you'll be able to sort the problem being a real automobile painter yourself. :smiling2: For little dinks I use correction fluid or even CA glue.

For the umbrella material you can use apple paper, the ones used to wrap apples...unfortunately these days apples are wrapped in poly netting. The other similar paper are the ones in shoe boxes or the ones used for kite making. The method is to soak it in diluted white glue/PVA and drape over the frame. Let the excess hang over 'cos when it dries it shrinks and gets taught and you can cut the excess when hardened. The other material is clear polythane for sweet wrappers or flowers and works with the same principle as the apple paper as they tighten when dry.

Nice board. :thumb2: The only sport I've never tried is surfing although I used to skateboard. :tongue-out3:

Cheers,
Richard

[Guest]

Thanks chaps. I'll see what I can do.

For now they're stuffed away in the rafters with the spiders. The hottest part of the shed, that'll make 'em sweat!

[scottie3158]

Really sorry to see this great build relegated to the rafters.

[rtfoe]

Andy, they might not only sweat but warp even...I mean I know you oven bake your real paint jobs but this is plastic. :smiling2:

Cheers,
Richard

[Guest]

I think they'll be fine Richard. I baked a kit at 55°C and that came out okay. Wouldn't want to risk going much higher though :smiling6:

Never fear Paul, it'll return. I'm just trying to force the solvents out so that it doesn't happen again.

[outrunner]

I'm sure a wee rest will do them and you the world of good mate.

Andy.

[Steve Jones]

There are worse places you could have put it

[Guest]

A big thank you to Mr Merryweather for sending out a Tamiya Vespa to include in this build, and of course Paul E for bringing the idea up in the first place.

The first thing I did was to start chopping it up! :smiling5: I cleared out the section between the front mudguard and the main body as this had been moulded in one lump. I sorely wanted to remove it completely and run a pin through to the handlebars so that they would swivel together, but haven't got a drill bit fine or long enough. Drilling from both ends in an option but I'd have to be really accurate to make the holes meet in the middle! I still haven't ruled it out though if I can find a way to do it.



Of course it would need somewhere to sit, so I made up a carrying platform with tie downs, a bar to protect the rear window, and a loading ramp that stores underneath it. The angle of the ramp might be a bit steep by the time the wheels are on, but this was the longest it could go and still fully store underneath. If it ends up looking ridiculous I can always add an extension and just pretend it stows away.





And here it is part way through painting, showing how it fits with the trailer. The gap between pick up and trailer looks excessive here but once the bumper is on they only just clear when turned the other way.

[Tim Marlow]

Looking good Andy. Love the colour.
if you want to pivot the handlebars you could drill the hole out out larger and use a piece of brass tube as a bearing for the pivot to run in.