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Old 03-21-2011, 12:33 AM   #11
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Re: My cabinet build

That's a great question, Jage. Do you have any recommendations? I'm looking for something simple that won't take forever or make a mess in the van.

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Old 03-21-2011, 12:58 AM   #12
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Re: My cabinet build

Nice - the cabinets look great! I'm in the process of building some myself and plan to utilize a little aluminum angle like you did too. It looks like you're using slider doors - do you just have some fir strips in back for them to slide against, or is that the aluminum channel they run through? BTW, I can sympathize with the measure 13 times, cut 18 times method!

I did a couple mock ups with some wood stain from stock I had on hand and I think the winner for us is actually redwood Superdeck. I plan to let the cabinets off gas for a while before putting them in the van, but I think it should provide a pretty good finish. I also tried some Watco products that looked good, but the reddish color won over the walnuts I tried in the Watco.
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Old 03-21-2011, 09:48 AM   #13
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Re: My cabinet build

Ha! I hate stain. I went out looking for a 1-step decent looking stain for my house and after 30 some jars of stain and about 100 scraps of wood have gone with:

30-50% area prestain to give two tone effect
10-12 minute Golden Oak / wipe
Semi-Gloss Finish

And I do each piece before installing so there is no mess- I know pros can stain in place, but I'm not that good and being able to be sloppy in the garage is the only thing that keeps me sane. I think some judicious protection and you could stain in the van no problem.

I'd hit LenS up for advice, he has beautiful cabinets.
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Old 03-21-2011, 06:17 PM   #14
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Re: My cabinet build

Quote:
Originally Posted by rockbender
Nice - the cabinets look great! I'm in the process of building some myself and plan to utilize a little aluminum angle like you did too. It looks like you're using slider doors - do you just have some fir strips in back for them to slide against, or is that the aluminum channel they run through? BTW, I can sympathize with the measure 13 times, cut 18 times method!
The sliding doors sit in the aluminum channels. I found the channels at Home Depot next to threaded rod and other long metal things. The are |_| shaped, come in a variety of sizes to fit various thicknesses of plywood and easy to cut and drill. The setup feels bomber. The doors are sturdy enough to lean against. I screwed the channels down, and the heads of the screws stick up and provide enough resistance to sliding that you kind of have to lift the doors a bit while sliding. I think of this as a feature not a bug becuase hopefully the doors won't slide open while driving.

Quote:
I did a couple mock ups with some wood stain from stock I had on hand and I think the winner for us is actually redwood Superdeck. I plan to let the cabinets off gas for a while before putting them in the van, but I think it should provide a pretty good finish. I also tried some Watco products that looked good, but the reddish color won over the walnuts I tried in the Watco.
I'll check that out. I have some scraps of ply lying around. I think I'll have to take the cabinet out to stain. Not enough ventilation in the van
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Old 03-21-2011, 06:18 PM   #15
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Re: My cabinet build

Jage,
Is that water or oil based? What brand do you use? I want simple. The faster the better.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jage
Ha! I hate stain. I went out looking for a 1-step decent looking stain for my house and after 30 some jars of stain and about 100 scraps of wood have gone with:

30-50% area prestain to give two tone effect
10-12 minute Golden Oak / wipe
Semi-Gloss Finish

And I do each piece before installing so there is no mess- I know pros can stain in place, but I'm not that good and being able to be sloppy in the garage is the only thing that keeps me sane. I think some judicious protection and you could stain in the van no problem.

I'd hit LenS up for advice, he has beautiful cabinets.
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Old 03-22-2011, 10:23 PM   #16
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Re: My cabinet build

For speed and easy clean-up I recommend tung oil. I think Watco makes it plus others. It can be painted on with a brush or just wiped on with a rag. Clean up spills with paint thinner. It will take several coats to build up a glossy finish, or just put on a couple coats to seal up the wood and provide a matte finish. No need for a stain, the tung oil will turn the fir plywood a darker color that will age over time.

The nice thing about tung oil is you don't need to worry about brush marks. It penetrates into the wood and once the grain is full it builds up a finish. It there is a rough spot it can be sanded or steel wool'ed down.

On the down side, a tung oil finish isn't as hard or durable as polyurethane, but once again it is easy to touch up if needed.
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Old 03-22-2011, 10:40 PM   #17
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Re: My cabinet build

I love tung oil and use it all the time.

For a slightly less durable finish, but one that penetrates into the grain and actually seals the wood pretty well, you can actually use walnut oil - the kind you'd buy in a supermarket or health food store. Doesn't smell so bad and, if you soak it in, seems to keep for years.
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Old 05-04-2011, 09:27 PM   #18
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Re: My cabinet build

Quote:
Originally Posted by handjam
Then put it all together in the back of the van.



I'm waiting to to see how tall our sleeping surface ends up being before putting on doors. I'm thinking that sliding doors would be the way to go, but I'm trying to figure out how to maximize access to the compartments for two people.

The next stage which I started this weekend is building another cabinet that sits on top of this one.

I work by my garage in a condo complex, and after I was done cutting and sanding on Saturday I looked over at my neighbor's car to see a fine layer of sawdust on her hood and windshield. So I knocked on her door and contributed to her next carwash. Lesson learned. Cut and sand on the far side of the van, and check the wind direction.
Rolling shutters? That way you can get into it if she is already asleep on that side!
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Old 07-18-2011, 02:59 PM   #19
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Re: My cabinet build

Quote:
Originally Posted by handjam
Lol. Outed by a piton hammer. I think I'm going to be in Yosemite for most of October. A meetup could be fun. Though Tuolumne might be more beginner friendly.

i think you were outed by the nickname.....i'd be into a meet-up at any climbing area.

on the cabinets---i covered mine with 'laminate' in some places, but used a soft vinyl fabric in a lot of other areas. the soft material seemed to be more like a vehicle interior.
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