Date:         Mon, 24 Apr 1995 07:54:56 -0700 (PDT)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         David Schwarze <schwarze@io.nosc.mil>
Subject:      Cabinets (was Re: '73 Safare update: Propane install)

Tim Smith writes:
> 
> I don't know what you are going to use for wood, but DON'T use laminate 
> covered particle board except for the table. The stuff is fine for 
> stationary use, but the vibration and flexing of your van will cause glue 
> joints to crumble and screws to work loose. The cabinets last a few months 
> before they soften. I got this from a British used VW salesman who warned me 
> against one particular companies conversions because of this. He wouldn't 
> sell them. 

Thanks for the advice.  The old cabinets had 3/4" particle board tops,
bottoms, and shelves.  They weighed a ton, and like you said they were
falling apart.  I have already cut a top for the cabinet out of 1/2"
plywood, and I bought a 4x8 sheet of paneling that closely resembles the
original Safare-installed paneling for the sides and front.  I haven't
decided how to deal with doors and drawers yet.  I figure I will make the
frame from 1x2s.  I would have liked to put formica over the exposed
surfaces, like Dave Garth did with his heater installation, but the
sheets of formica were very expensive, and it looked like a lot of
trouble to install.  Anyone have comments on that?  Oh, and the only
colors of formica they had were various shades of white and some ugly
patterns.  I want either blue (to match the original) or a shade of grey,
I think.

-David

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David Schwarze                  '73 VW Safare Custom Camper (Da Boat)
SAIC Comsystems                 '73 Capri GT 2800 (Da Beast)
San Diego, California           '87 Mustang Lx 5.0 (Da Bruiser?  Soon...)
schwarze@nosc.mil                http://papaya.nosc.mil/~schwarze
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