Camper van / work van

[Peshi]

whats a good light weight material for half converting a work van to camper van.

On the discovery channel saw a company making cupboards for private jets.

They used a honey come core with fiberglass then vaneer on top (probably expensive and can't find any.

So what options I got for UK?

 

[Eli]

whats a good light weight material for half converting a work van to camper van.

On the discovery channel saw a company making cupboards for private jets.

They used a honey come core with fiberglass then vaneer on top (probably expensive and can't find any.

So what options I got for UK?

Depends on how you frame your cupboards, what if any partitions. You can likely get away with 10mm, maybe Appleply if it's around, or other veneered ply. if you go smaller you would have to double skin for rigidity. In that case Luan or similar.

You could look up a road case supply manufacturer, like Penn-Elcom, they would have thin veneered sheet goods, vinyl or other coating, light and durable, easy to clean. Usually much smaller sheet sizes but worth a go.

My $.02

 

[Slappy]

double wall polycarbonate comes in sheets  & AL channels & angle stock for frames  then pop rivet with washers ,to attach the stuff together seal the ends with silicone
Light as a feather , looks like cardboard sorta tiny cells running length wise between the walls

 

[peter halle]

There was an article eons ago in Fine Woodworking about building cabinets for the aviation industry that the had the honeycomb substrate.  Very technical and exacting construction because of the regulations and also the hollowness.

If you are looking for non-structural, you can buy honeycomb cardboard substrate that is used in veneer panels.  I think that vacupress.com sells it.  Then you will need to skin.

Peter

 

[Harvey]

There was an article eons ago in Fine Woodworking about building cabinets for the aviation industry that the had the honeycomb substrate.  Very technical and exacting construction because of the regulations and also the hollowness.

If you are looking for non-structural, you can buy honeycomb cardboard substrate that is used in veneer panels.  I think that vacupress.com sells it.  Then you will need to skin.

Peter

That article was in the Jan/Feb 1988 issue. They mention the honeycomb-core composite panels were $1,500 then.

 

[peter halle]

Thanks for that.  Guess my long term memory is ok.  [eek]

Peter

 

[Deansocial]

Vohringer ply

 

[ajones]

Vohringer ply

+1 very good range of finishes and really light, if the same lady runs the company she is really helpfull..

one very small minus as the ply is lightweight and the laminate is thin it can be damaged with carless handling

 

[peter halle]

Here is a link that you ,might want to check out.  Their minimums might be too great for you, but perhaps an email or phone call to them might result in some guidance or perhaps some over runs:  http://www.qkhoneycomb.co.uk

Peter

 

[Michael Kellough]

The load capacity of hone-comb panel is roughly equivalent to the same thickness of solid wood but honey-comb weights a fraction of solid wood. The edges of such panela are fragile and usually need to be "filled" with solid wood. Ends usually need to be supported bythe equivalent of cleats or housed in extra deep dadoes (or glassed in when used in FRP constructions).

Because of the edge issue honey-comb panels are best when you need long spans and weight is critical.

In your van I expect space is more important than weight and you don't need long load bearing spans to support portable tools and equipment.

 

[Jalvis]

This is what you need:

www.tchweb.com/tchstore/category/laminate/s0/510---Laminate-Panels.html

 

[Eli]

This is what you need:

www.tchweb.com/tchstore/category/laminate/s0/510---Laminate-Panels.html

yeah, like that. They should also have extrusions to cover the edges and, as mentioned earlier, these can be riveted, along with corner ball protectors, etc.
I pound the crap out of road cases in my business, you could carry an angry donkey in a camper made out of this stuff, or even a group of small children.....