Author Topic: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.  (Read 15611 times)

Offline wdtjawshwdt

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Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« on: April 05, 2014, 08:19:30 PM »
I was fortunate enough to get a deal on .09 aluminum sheet.   They are 5x10 sheets and I have four of them.   This is for the MC9.   Now the predicament is....I have the options to do 8 windows and just use the sheets as they are no cutting or 10 windows with  waste.   I don't really care how many windows I have.   I have 5 large RV windows that will be going in this project.   I need swaying one way or the other.      

diagram time that may not make sense
XX=1 window
[_]=1 window

8 window option is a 4 sheet option  
                                                                              __________________
each side would lose these windows  driver/passenger    [] [_]XXXX[_]XXXX[_] \  
                                                                             l'-O------------------OO l
10 window option is cutting it down to 10 sheets

Blocking out all the middle windows leaving the front and rears on both sides
                                                                             __________________
                                                                            [] [_]XXXXXXXXXX[_] \
                                                                            l'-O-----------------OO- l

Well my busses turned out pretty good for typing them out...took me way to long to do this guys
Josh
1981 MC9 6v92DD 5 speed fuller
RIP 1996 Amtran dt444e

Farmington MN

Offline Barn Owl

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2014, 09:21:52 PM »
I like light and and I feel it gives conversions a more open feel vs. a dark cave. So I am for option one. On old classic buses I like all of the windows left in it even if they are blocked internally. Vintage, classic, cool....
L. Christley - W3EYE Amateur Extra
Blue Ridge Mountains, S.W. Virginia
It’s the education gained, and the ability to apply, and share, what we learn.
Have fun, be great, that way you have Great Fun!

Offline wdtjawshwdt

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2014, 09:56:56 PM »
I became jaded on the windows...because right now i have spent the past 2 weekends welding structure back into place.   Sooo I am a little bitter and getting rid of some of them...they are leaky bastards I tell ya.
Josh
1981 MC9 6v92DD 5 speed fuller
RIP 1996 Amtran dt444e

Farmington MN

Offline bevans6

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2014, 05:34:22 AM »
If I were going to skin the sides on an MC-9 it would be an all or nothing deal.  No OEM windows left at all, just RV windows.  So I would buy another sheet of aluminium and do it all, then install my RV windows with appropriate framing where I wanted them.  090" is a great choice, and you can cut it wasily on a regular table saw with a wood blade, just have a helper, ear protection and a face mask, not just goggles.

Brian

1980 MCI MC-5C, 8V-71T from a M-110 self propelled howitzer
Allison MT-647
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia

Offline Scott & Heather

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2014, 07:20:41 AM »
If I were going to skin the sides on an MC-9 it would be an all or nothing deal.  No OEM windows left at all, just RV windows.  So I would buy another sheet of aluminium and do it all, then install my RV windows with appropriate framing where I wanted them.  090" is a great choice, and you can cut it wasily on a regular table saw with a wood blade, just have a helper, ear protection and a face mask, not just goggles.

Brian



ditto. if you're ever considering living in it full-time, you'll hate yourself for keeping the old glass. Single pane, leaky, and hot in the summer, cold and condensation in the winter. Our coach is purpose-built to withstand temperature extremes and it does this well. We've seen -18 this past winter with wind chills well below that, and the coach has seen 105 two summers ago. 1 rooftop a/c, three space heaters inside...shes good.
Scott & Heather
1984 MCI 9 6V92-turbo with 9 inch roof raise (SOLD)
1992 MCI 102C3 8v92-turbo with 8 inch roof raise CURRENT HOME
Click link for 900 photos of our 1st bus conversion:
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Offline TomC

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2014, 09:00:23 AM »
Commercial trailers typically use .030 aluminum skin. With that in mind, I had my truck skinned in .060. .090 is really thick-do you want to be carrying that extra weight all the time? Good luck, TomC
Tom & Donna Christman. 1985 Kenworth 40ft Super C with garage. '77 AMGeneral 10240B; 8V-71TATAIC V730.

Offline wdtjawshwdt

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2014, 09:04:26 AM »
I feel like I want to keep two windows one front and one back to get stuff in and out.   :-p   But you guys are getting me to lean towards getting two more sheets $95 a piece isn't bad just didn't expect to spend that much on the outside.  I am rebuilding walls with bed frame and pallet racking now.    So take larger sheets and cover the windows.  Dont bother cutting the large sheets into 5x3 sections and covering each window individually?





Josh
1981 MC9 6v92DD 5 speed fuller
RIP 1996 Amtran dt444e

Farmington MN

Offline TomC

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2014, 09:25:00 AM »
To fill in the windows, I cut two 3/4" plywood to fill in the window glued together which brought the level of the plywood even with the outside skin of the bus. Then used .030" aluminum skin glued and riveted over. Works well (for the last 20yrs) and looks good. Good Luck, TomC
Tom & Donna Christman. 1985 Kenworth 40ft Super C with garage. '77 AMGeneral 10240B; 8V-71TATAIC V730.

Offline bevans6

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2014, 12:41:13 PM »
.090" is what I seem to recall the stock aluminium sides and roof of an MCI is.  They used a heat-treated aluminium, not full hard but around a T-4, I think.  I can't recall where I read that.

Brian
1980 MCI MC-5C, 8V-71T from a M-110 self propelled howitzer
Allison MT-647
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia

Offline wdtjawshwdt

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2014, 01:18:56 PM »
The skinning thing seems like a trick.   Many options from the research on the forum and it sounds like most people went with thicker is better (or wished they went thicker) for the aluminum. The other is people wished they would have used  a large single piece of aluminum per side (out of my price range).   The larger the piece of aluminum the more structural it will be.     This has probably been the hardest decision since starting this project.   Everything else has been reactionary. 

With the thickness of the aluminum i am using should I back it with plywood like Tom C?


Many different ways to skin a cat.
Josh
1981 MC9 6v92DD 5 speed fuller
RIP 1996 Amtran dt444e

Farmington MN

Offline Tikvah

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #10 on: April 06, 2014, 02:17:22 PM »
That little bit of wight is negligible, the heavier the sheet, the less wave (oil-canning) you'll have from the heat.  Put it on in hot weather with direct sunlight, and if possible use a LP weed burner inside.  Use some kind of protection between the steel and the aluminum.  Not a bad job.  Did mine with two boys and myself.  Did it all in two days with more rivets than I can remember.  Bought an air rivet gun from Harbor Freight.  Cheap, fast and done right.  Buy some welding gloves, some vice grips, and lots of ice water.

Windows depends on weather.  I wish I had double pane because I wish I could stay up north in the winter like Scott.  I'm envious of his set up.  But, if you plan to be in hot or mild locations, and you have good AC, then the stock windows might be fine.  The slider aftermarket windows are $$$.

Spray Foam - I didn't have any money (Still don't), but I found a way to do some horse trading for a truck mounted spray foam project.  No regrets.  I can't tell you how many  times I said "I'm glad I did that right".   Not like you can go back and do that again.  (Besides, I didn't need that horse in my bus anyway!  ;D )

Everyone that comes in our bus says it has a lot of light and they always seem to like it.  You can see pics of the inside at:  http://dave-amy.com/bus-tour,-april-2014.html

Good luck on the project
1989 MCI-102 A3
DD 6V92 Turbo, Alison
Tons of stuff to learn!
Started in Cheboygan, Michigan (near the Mackinaw Bridge).  Now home is anywhere we park
http://dave-amy.com/

Offline luvrbus

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #11 on: April 06, 2014, 02:52:23 PM »
Aluminum will wave like old glory with heat steel is by far the best for no waves
Life is short drink the good wine first

Offline Tikvah

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #12 on: April 06, 2014, 02:53:58 PM »
Aluminum will wave like old glory with heat steel is by far the best for no waves

I have so few opportunities to disagree with luvrbus that I thought I should jump at the chance.  My aluminum hasn't waved a bit.  I heated when it went on, and did it on a hot day.  No problems.

1989 MCI-102 A3
DD 6V92 Turbo, Alison
Tons of stuff to learn!
Started in Cheboygan, Michigan (near the Mackinaw Bridge).  Now home is anywhere we park
http://dave-amy.com/

Offline luvrbus

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #13 on: April 06, 2014, 03:10:30 PM »
Come to Az and watch it wave lol your bus is white and not as noticeable.I skinned the Eagle with 1 piece of steel from front to rear with no rivets it all depends on what you are looking for in the finished product I wanted no rivets   
Life is short drink the good wine first

Offline gumpy

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Re: Skinning. Tell me why I should or shouldn't please.
« Reply #14 on: April 06, 2014, 05:24:35 PM »
....    just didn't expect to spend that much on the outside.

HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa !!!!!!!!!!!!   :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D



Oh sorry, was that out loud?
Craig Shepard
Located in Minnesquito

http://bus.gumpydog.com - "Some Assembly Required"

 

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