HAMBO build thread

[Abitibi]

This is what I got so far and a bunch of drawings for the box and the bed.

I made a quick base to act as a template, mostly to get the exact size of the canvas and general box size. It will give me an opening of 48" x 91".

I figured a way to easily (& simply) move the bed up by 3-4" when I'm not using it with the top is down. That way I should get a minimum height of approximately 5'9" (or more if I build the box taller). When the top is up then it's easy to lift the bed fully out of the way.

I'll post more once I start on the poptop section.

Cheers
David

 

[nyyankees588]

Not to hijack your thread, but figured I'd share here because all things DIY poptop seem to connect back to you, David. Jay Nelson, who is a pretty incredible woodworker, just released a DIY pop-top class online. A bit spendy at $225, but could be useful for those of us interested in how to do it... I have zero connection with him and haven't bought the class myself.

 

[Abitibi]

Thanks! I'm the kind of guy who doesn't read the instruction before putting something together, lol so not sure I'd spend $225 but I'm sure I could still learn a few things.

I've spent many hours thinking it through, still doing it right now... tons of drawings. So hopefully I'll end up with something decent!

For example, this is what my table typically looks like on a ugly weather day

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[Abitibi]

Good day!

Got a few updates to post. Finally got started on my cabinets! The nice thing with a slow build is you always come up with better ideas as you build along. And this build is not the exception! I ended up moving my sink location, wood stove and even my poptop! All for the better

Started with the electrical cabinet which goes behind the driver's seat. I basically eliminated all but the necessary wires which makes the electrical puzzle much easier The small lower cabinet is housing my hot water heater. I was thinking of putting the wood stove on top but it would have been too hidden so next step is modifying that cabinet, making it taller and the sink will go on top instead. Makes it way easier for the plumbing (shorter run for the hot water)...

 

[Abitibi]

Next was the cabinet behind the passenger's seat. The tall skinny one was supposed to only be accessible from the outside. Was fine when my Hambo was 2wd but as soon as I lifted it I realized i couldn't access the top part of the cabinet. So I built some shelfs and cut an inside door. I'll put some mosquito screen behind the shelfs so I can open my outside and interior doors to get extra breeze on hot days...This change will be really useful as I can now store most of my food on those 3 shelfs. The lower cabinet with the 4 drawers will be part of the cooking area. I'm using an induction cooktop which fits in the upper drawer but will likely move it onto the countertop for cooking. Still need to build the drawer's faces and decide on countertops... The lower part of the outside cabinet will be a good place for my compressor, and taller items.

 

[Abitibi]

Morning all

Rear storage/bed area. On the driver's side the storage box is split in two with access either from the outside (main and larger access) or from the inside at the front via a trap door at the top.

My 32g water tank is under the cabinet on the passenger's side. The storage compartment will be heated so the water tank is insulated from the floor, outside wall and has those groovy holes for the heat to reach the tank and keep the water from freezing.

Above the water tank is a big storage area and at the back the water pump and extra cold water output for the back.

I'll bridge the two cabinets with a removable bed platform to keep my options open if I ever need to carry long or large items.

Next project is the cabinet nook for the woodstove. It's mostly done, need some finishing touch...

Next:
Sink cabinet modification, more plumbing & electrical, dinette (with 3 points seatbelts), shower (interior & exterior) and poptop.

And a bunch more, lol

Happy holidays everyone, enjoy and stay safe!

Cheers
David

 

[cjken]

Did you cut those holes on a CNC Router?

 

[Abitibi]

I wish! No just a good old hole saw, lol

Cheers & merry Xmas!
David

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[Bikersmurf]

Merry Christmas

 

[Abitibi]

Another one just about done, need the sink, faucet and door latch. Most of the plumbing is done, just ran out of crimps. The Kuuma hot water boiler is a welcome addition! Also included a mixing water valve to avoid scalding.

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[iggi]

Great progress David! Looking forward to seeing the final results.
Is that half inch or 5/8's plywood you used for the cabinets?

 

[Abitibi]

Thanks! I mostly use 1/2" unless its a wide span that supports heavy weight ie. Bench & bed are a mix of 1/2" and 3/4"

Picked up a countertop today, sink and faucet should arrive this week. It's finally starting to look like a camper instead of a cube box

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[Abitibi]

Last summer I fixed an early century wardrobe from england and saved most of the wood I had to replace. (The original owners had cut the thing in 2 to ship it over here!!!)

So today i figured a place to re-use some of the wood and the drawer faces were the lucky recipients

Also installed the countertop for that cabinet. Now i just need to find some old leather straps for the handles and figure a way to lock the drawers during travel. Really happy with the results, looks way better in real than the pics...

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[Abitibi]

Happy New Year everyone!

Here in BC the Hambo continues its slow progress

Most of the kitchen cabinets are done, just need to do the fridge one and add 1 or 2 flip-up countertops.

Sink went in yesterday along with all the roughing for the plumbing and hydronic stuff. Also got rid of the piano hinge on the small lower door, didn't look right. Satisfaction remains high, lol

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[FDM2012]

Looks really good, David!

Question regarding your Russian import exhaust fitting: Can you jam the little muffler into it from the outside?