Reworking the wet/head area

[Pack Mule]

We have been working on the wet head area some this winter . Installed some fiberglass panels and some new paint . Installing a new shower head/ faucet. I wish we could squeeze a sink in here but there just isn't enough room . We'll have to keep brushing our teeth and washing hands in the wheelhouse sink.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. PM. Any room for a folding sink? Cleo Tip Up Sink Folding Vanity Basin for caravans and motorhomes
or...

 

[Pack Mule]

Greetings,
Mr. PM. Any room for a folding sink? Cleo Tip Up Sink Folding Vanity Basin for caravans and motorhomes
or...

Thanks RT ! Great idea ,I'm going to check it out . Joy will be forever grateful if I can make it work .

 

[foggysail]

Pack Mule tells of using fiberglass panels but what he does not talk about is how he cut this stuff. For those who have experienced the "fun" of cutting G10.... well the fiberglass panels that I am familiar with from Home Depot are in that category. But the panels do look just great.

What I found (from a suggestion elsewhere) the very best way is to use powered metal cutting shears such as Makita JS1300 Straight Shear or the $40 ones sold at Harbor Freight. NOoo dust! Those things are great for this work. And just maybe, that could be how Pack Mule cut his.

 

[DHeckrotte]

The fold up sink would have been my suggestion but I was beaten to it. These things are available in several versions. Many simply dump the wastewater when you tip the sink; some drain to the drain continuously like the Pullman railway types. Some are integral with the toilet (a little too similar to the all-stainless sink-toilets used in prison cells). Obviously the airspace over the toilet is the best place...if the folded sink leaves room to sit enthroned.

I routinely cut the fiberglass sheets with: table saw, radial arm saw, saber saw, router, and cutoff wheel in an angle grinder. I clean up edges with files, angle grinder w/sanding discs, disc sander.

I'm amazed that you can get away with cutting the fiberglass with shears. I would have expected shattering since there is precious little glass fiber in those sheets.

 

[foggysail]

The fold up sink would have been my suggestion but I was beaten to it. These things are available in several versions. Many simply dump the wastewater when you tip the sink; some drain to the drain continuously like the Pullman railway types. Some are integral with the toilet (a little too similar to the all-stainless sink-toilets used in prison cells). Obviously the airspace over the toilet is the best place...if the folded sink leaves room to sit enthroned.

I routinely cut the fiberglass sheets with: table saw, radial arm saw, saber saw, router, and cutoff wheel in an angle grinder. I clean up edges with files, angle grinder w/sanding discs, disc sander.

I'm amazed that you can get away with cutting the fiberglass with shears. I would have expected shattering since there is precious little glass fiber in those sheets.

Yes, I have tried all the tools you listed with a router and cutoff wheel working the best........until I tried shears ! It is truly amazing how easily shears cut the stuff with no dust.

I wanted to purchase the Makita that was being sold (factory rebuilt) for $50 but I needed it immediately. So I purchased Harbor Freight's shears for $40 if memory is correct. It did the job with ease.

 

[Pack Mule]

Pack Mule tells of using fiberglass panels but what he does not talk about is how he cut this stuff. For those who have experienced the "fun" of cutting G10.... well the fiberglass panels that I am familiar with from Home Depot are in that category. But the panels do look just great.

What I found (from a suggestion elsewhere) the very best way is to use powered metal cutting shears such as Makita JS1300 Straight Shear or the $40 ones sold at Harbor Freight. NOoo dust! Those things are great for this work. And just maybe, that could be how Pack Mule cut his.

These panels seem to be more plastic than fiberglass . They are smooth on one side and pebbles on the other side . They call it FRP at Lowes . I cut on table saw with carbide blade and a jigsaw with with regular blade I think .

 

[foggysail]

Yes, FRB is fiberglass reinforced plastic. It was a big PITA to cut for me. Really dulls up cutting tools. But whatever works for you, those are the tools to use. If you have a chance to borrow/rent shears for your next project Marty, consider trying them.

 

[Pack Mule]

Yes, FRB is fiberglass reinforced plastic. It was a big PITA to cut for me. Really dulls up cutting tools. But whatever works for you, those are the tools to use. If you have a chance to borrow/rent shears for your next project Marty, consider trying them.

Thanks for the tip . I have a pair of electric shears that I bought for a metal roof project at home . I've only used them a couple times.They probably won't put out the dusty stinking glass particals like the table saw does . My shop is in the basement and Joy can always tell upsatirs when I'm cutting this stuff on the table saw

 

[DHeckrotte]

We've had chatter about these fiberglass sheet goods in the past. Around my local Home Despot and Lowes, they're definitely FRP - fiberglass reinforced plastic, Fiberglass. Similar stuff is made of PVC (as reported on this forum, and sold in the Despot in Canada) and would readily cut with shears, or utility knife or a even hot knife.

 

[foggysail]

Thanks for the tip . I have a pair of electric shears that I bought for a metal roof project at home . I've only used them a couple times.They probably won't put out the dusty stinking glass particals like the table saw does . My shop is in the basement and Joy can always tell upsatirs when I'm cutting this stuff on the table saw

Marty-- if your shears resemble the Makita model I posted or for that matter the $40 jobs sold by Harbor Freight, give it a quick try. Come back and share your excitement!

Foggy


EDIT: Better still, check out this Youtube:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1gfseRFL8s

 

[sbu22]

X2 on the $40 Harbor Freight solution. Works great on FRP, PVC, light sheet metal - wish I'd have bought one tears ago.

 

[BruceK]

I looked at HF`s shears online, and the vid. Is it a spinning blade? I couldn`t tell. I have used a "nibbler" which took small continuous bites to form a cut, Bosch brand I think. None too reliable,the shears look much better.

 

[foggysail]

Bruce-- no, the blade resemble scissors with one movable blade chopping up and down between two fixed lower blades.

In one of my earlier posts I mentioned that at the time I purchased mine, a factory rebuilt Makita was available online for $50. My error, it was a Milwaukee. The same unit now costs $125 rebuilt.

 

[sbu22]

It's a nibbler. You do have to pay attention to the 1/8 - 3/16 takeout that the cut makes. Takes a little getting used to.

With the minor amount of work I do with the shear, figure the Chinese HF unit will last me a lifetime.

 

[Pack Mule]

Finished this up today . Not real happy with our new faucet/ shower head combo that I bought . I thought it would've been heavier duty than it appears to be. I haven't put the water pressure to it yet because we are still winterized .

 

[Pack Mule]

The faucet / shower head was $120 from Fisheries Supply .

 

[Pack Mule]

This is the new shower curtain track. I bought a 6 ft kit that came with track, rollers , hooks and mounting brackets . I bent the track around a 4" diameter pipe . It can be mounted against bulkheads and also to ceiling.

 

[Pack Mule]

Finished the head , shower curtain up and after four years I finally made a new toilet paper roll out of some Corian scraps and a piece of copper tubing .

 

[RT Firefly]

Atta boy Mr. PM!

 

[Pack Mule]

Atta boy Mr. PM!

Thanks RT . You know how much I like those atta boys.

 

[DHeckrotte]

Well done, X2.

When I make TP holders, I make the brackets as I see fit, then buy the cheepie spring-loaded spindles.

 

[Pack Mule]

Built this teak dry towel shelf today. It has to fit between two bulkheads in the head . This should free up a drawer . I'll let you know tomorrow if it fits ?.

 

[Sailor of Fortune]

Very nice! Hope it fits

 

[DHeckrotte]

Well done, PM!

 

[CPseudonym]

You're craftsmanship is incredible. Beautiful piece.

 

[FF]

"It was a big PITA to cut for me. Really dulls up cutting tools."

Cutting GRP is a pain , but using any jug saw with a coated abrasive blade makes great cuts and little dust.

 

[Pack Mule]

A shim here and there and it's in . It actually freed up two drawers for more stuff .Still have my handhold for the toilet .