Pat Meeuwissen Posted June 24, 2017 Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 (edited) Guys, haven't been around for quite a while and was hoping someone might be able to steer me in the right direction. My son and I will be building out the interior of a van (Sprinter type probably) and I have build plenty of standard cabinets but am looking for ways to save weight but still be structurally sound and be able to handle the bouncing of an RV. Thanks for any input, links or advice. Edited December 5, 2017 by Ron Dudelston tags added Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lew Posted June 24, 2017 Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 My guess would be to use thinner baltic birch plywood. Here's a link to some ideas- http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f2/building-cabinets-van-camper-87401/ http://goneoutdoors.com/build-rv-cabinets-7625335.html http://www.camperize.com/building-cabinets/ http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php?topic=31636.0 https://youtu.be/BmdxdautU3c https://www.thefitrv.com/the-rv-remodel/ HARO50, Pat Meeuwissen and Nickp 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Wilson Posted June 24, 2017 Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 Pat, I would agree with Lew. Just make sure you sand the sharp edges and build lips on the drawers and extra strong latches for the doors. These I learned from experience. HARO50 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stick486 Posted June 24, 2017 Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 50 minutes ago, lew said: My guess would be to use thinner baltic birch plywood. by far the best bet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MT Stringer Posted June 24, 2017 Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 Blum soft close hinges will keep those doors closed. Most of the time I use the Blum 38N Blumotion hinge (1/2 inch overlay) for cabinets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HandyDan Posted June 24, 2017 Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 Be sure the door and drawer tolerances are close enough to keep the mice out. HARO50 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Hechel Posted June 25, 2017 Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 using basswood for areas that need solid lumber is very common in the rv industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Meeuwissen Posted June 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 19 hours ago, Fred Wilson said: Pat, I would agree with Lew. Just make sure you sand the sharp edges and build lips on the drawers and extra strong latches for the doors. These I learned from experience. Fred, I'd love to hear more on creative ways to keep drawers and cabinets from opening? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Meeuwissen Posted June 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 20 hours ago, lew said: Here's a link to some ideas- http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f2/building-cabinets-van-camper-87401/ Lew, this is my thread from when we built his original van. I was told in another thread to make panels like a torsion box which got me thinking like a hollow core door to use cardboard in between two skins with a solid exterior plywood frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Meeuwissen Posted June 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 Was watching a new Ron Paulk video where he mentions "lightweight" plywood anyone use this stuff?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Wilson Posted June 25, 2017 Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 5 hours ago, Pat Meeuwissen said: Fred, I'd love to hear more on creative ways to keep drawers and cabinets from opening? Pat, the biggest thing we found was proper alignment of the catches on both the doors and the face frame. It didn't take much movement oneither to make the catches stronger. Same thing with drawers. If the slides are just a little too far back, the drawer will not fully fall into the notch. Pat Meeuwissen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmealy Posted June 25, 2017 Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 Use a solid face frame and thin plywood with framing underneath for sides. At least that's what's in the RV where I'm sleeping tonight. Some people use square aluminum tubing. A place to look for good ideas is http://www.tnttt.com Almost all homebuilts and cargo trailer conversions there. Many are sick enough to start a second or third build after their first. HARO50 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Meeuwissen Posted June 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 11 hours ago, kmealy said: Use a solid face frame and thin plywood with framing underneath for sides. At least that's what's in the RV where I'm sleeping tonight. Some people use square aluminum tubing. A place to look for good ideas is http://www.tnttt.com Almost all homebuilts and cargo trailer conversions there. Many are sick enough to start a second or third build after their first. I wrote to the admin for tntt and am awaiting approval. If your a member maybe give him a nudge for me. Looks like some great info but as a non member I can't see all the pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmealy Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 10 hours ago, Pat Meeuwissen said: I wrote to the admin for tntt and am awaiting approval. If your a member maybe give him a nudge for me. Looks like some great info but as a non member I can't see all the pics. Ah, I've been lurking there for a while and can't remember what it took to get membership. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Meeuwissen Posted June 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2017 Got my membership and found a link to this video, talk about labor intensive!! I don't think this would hold up for my son, but in the beginning of the video he shows a rejected version using 1/8 ply on both sides which I think will work well with wood frame and foam insert. More info on this thread. http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=67373&hilit=lightweight+cabinets Gerald and Grandpadave52 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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