Current Project List: Galley and Electrical

I'm finding it helpful to articulate what needs to be done in writing so that my mind is clear.  I'm a list guy.  I have lists all over my desk, on my iPhone, even in my car.  I have a special pad that I keep in the car for my commute; I almost always hear something on NPR or think of something I want to do when I get home.  My iPhone list for the teardrop is long, but it has been really helpful.  It helps me keep me from forgetting things.

At this point, with the exception of the bulk head floor and the rubber gasket over the piano hinge, the teardrop is essentially water tight.

Here is a list of projects that remain in order to 'finish' the galley and electric:

1.  Hinge gasket and aluminum strips to hold it in place.

(I stopped by the local bike store South Port Rigging to 'buy' another tube for this purpose.  I ended up trying to explain what I needed and why, to the owner.  He promptly went back into the tube trash and found me a huge inner tube and he gave it to me!  No cost.  Well, I wish I had seen him a couple of weeks ago.  Nonetheless, that was really nice of him!

2.  Caulk bulkhead floor.

3.  Finish trim on galley cabinets, drawers and doors.

4.  Mount spare tire under cooler slide.

5.  Install LED 'night lights.' These will be mounted on an 'L' bracket, which will be bolted to the frame.  Should be pretty cool at night!  Also going to use my extra 'porch lights' under each door. 

6.  Install running lights and tail/turn signals.

7.  Finalize all electrical runs and install fuse box.

(Saw this image on another teardrop build; I like the use of aluminum around the switches.  I may have to incorporate that into my 'switches' or on the battery meter.

8.  Paint/polyurethane galley cabinets.  Thinking I may use the brown paint from the basement project as an accent color.  Might just paint the drawer fronts and the cabinet trim brown. 

9.  Install hardware on doors and drawers.

That should cover the galley and electrical area.  From there we'll move to the cabin cabinets and interior insulation and fixtures.  

To Do List

Okay, so I'm realizing that I'm attacking this project in a bit of a scatter-brained fashion.  There is 'so much' that I want to do that I have kind of been doing a little of this, and a little of that.  Another reason for my disorganized approach is that there just is not time during the work week to get much done.  In my defense, I have been waiting for parts and materials to arrive in order to accomplish many major tasks.  I thought it would be a good idea to reorganize and make a rational list of projects in the order I hope to accomplish them.

Here we go:

1.  The windows have arrived, so I need to VERY carefully measure, mark and cut the aluminum to prepare them for the fitting of the window.  This makes me very anxious!  Slow and deliberate are the words I need to be constantly remembering.  After cutting the holes, I will be able to install the windows and re-mount the doors.

2.  I need to caulk and mount the green treated board in the bulkhead: (this is going to require a third set of hands.)  At this point, the cabin will be 100% sealed and water-tight.

3.  I need to firm up the galley plan.  I don't want to glue it all in just yet, but I need to have a pretty certain layout of the design so that I can begin moving forward on the electrical work.  Right now I'm leaning towards having the electrical panel and all connections at the top of the galley behind a fold down shelf.  This will greatly simplify the wire runs (I hope!)

4.  Once the galley is planned, I need to layout the interior cabinets; these again need to be in place before I can finalize the wiring.

5.  I'll rough in the wiring.

6.  With both cabinet sections planned, I can stain and seal the wood and finally install it.

7.  The next step will be to finalize wiring and install the insulation.

8.  Next will be the installing of the headliner over the insulation.  At this point, I'm still not sure if I'll install the headliner directly on top of the insulation or if I'll add a think layer of Luan plywood.

9.  Final fitting of all interior light fixtures, etc.

10.  Clean and buff the aluminum skin.

Now, there's an organized list.  I am going to try to stick to it as I move forward on the project.