The 68 Frolic

 I mentioned recently that though I have been busy on the Frolic project, I haven't done anything very photogenic. Well, my new tabletop for the 2-person dinette that I built struck such a lovely pose that I just had to oblige. I thought this is cherry, oak, and walnut. My Brother-in-law, who is good at recognizing woods, thinks the lighter wood, at least most of it, might be sassafras. I know my Father-in-law did cut some sassafras. Whatever it is I'm pretty pleased with how it looks. It is extra nice because this wood was all harvested by my Wife's Dad and his buddy.  The counter for the kitchen area is also butcher-block. It's not quite as far along. I also mentioned that I had the plumbing roughed in. A lot of it is hidden under and inside cabinets, but here are a couple of views of the area under the old dinette bench, where the water tank lives. The colorful piece of webbing is something I had on hand.  Thanks for the encouragement.

 I did a lot of measuring, researching, consulting, at least a little worrying, and a good bit of praying about what to do about Frolic's running gear. It has an old set of wheels that are rarer than hen's teeth. I couldn't find a spare. A breakdown on the road could be ugly. Frolic was made in 68, an era of change, not only for the people of America but for the trailer industry. I'm told that about that time was when spindles--the things hubs or brake drums are mounted on. The wheels attach to the hubs or drums, allowing the wheels on the trailers to go round and round. After a lot of angst, research, and prayer I ordered a new set of stuff that looked like it would fit. A, "Thank You, LORD!" went up when they actually did fit. I spent most of a week getting the freshwater plumbing done. tank, pump, connection for hooking up to city water, etc. I am joyful about letting you know that the test was dripless. Rejoice with me. BTW, I'm about to get to some th...

 I've been busy, really busy actually, on the Frolic. It's just that nothing I've done recently has been very photogenic.  I got started on building a new tabletop. I'm using oak, cherry, and maybe a little walnut in a chevron butcher block design. The countertop will be out of the same material. So far, I made a ripping sled to allow me to cut the pieces more accurately. I actually cut up some oak and cherry to make the strips. I've glued up two of the four pieced that will make up the table. So far I'm encouraged. I've figured and researched, looking for an answer to what to do about the brakes, drums, and bearings. The question has been, "Can I keep the axle I have?" Like the little train, "I think I can." but I have to confirm the fit after the new parts arrive. I've painted. AND, I've figured on, fetched materials for, measured for, figured some more on, worked on, fetched more stuff for, and wrestled with the plumbing on the...