Plywood fitting

Home Forum topic Campervan Conversions Plywood fitting

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
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  • #107183
    mactheknife
    Participant

    Hey guys, i am slowly getting there with the conversion, so far i the insulation is fitted and ply for the sides and floor should be here next week. I have a question regarding fixings for fitting plywood to the roof.

    I have already made a cardboard template for the outline. But what fixings do people use to secure the ply.
    For the sides i was thinking self drillers into the struts but as the roof ply may have to on and off a few times to get the light wiring and other jobs done i am a bit unsure. I was thinking of securing a few batons across with sikaflex but doubts are there currently.

    All advice very welcome and appreciated.

    #115497
    Darren
    Guest

    Hi
    Hi

    Most people secure batons with Sikaflex, and then screw into this with wood screws.
    If the van roof also has metal struts it’s worth adding a few self tapping screws into this as well, just for extra support.
    Most people us 6mm ply for the ceiling. You can use 9mm, but it’s heavier, but you can hang more from it if you need to.

    #115503
    Darren
    Guest

    Hi
    Hi

    Most people secure batons with Sikaflex, and then screw into this with wood screws.
    If the van roof also has metal struts it’s worth adding a few self tapping screws into this as well, just for extra support.
    Most people us 6mm ply for the ceiling. You can use 9mm, but it’s heavier, but you can hang more from it if you need to.

    #115502
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Excellent. Cheers Darren 🙂
    Excellent. Cheers Darren 🙂

    #115507
    Anonymous
    Guest

    Excellent. Cheers Darren 🙂
    Excellent. Cheers Darren 🙂

    #115505
    spacehopper
    Participant

    rivenuts
    So I have to fit rivenuts to the van for the awning brackets and wondered – why not use them (rivenuts) with some round head bolts to fix the plywood? Longer work but maybe useful if I need to remove and replace the ply.

    #115511
    spacehopper
    Participant

    rivenuts
    So I have to fit rivenuts to the van for the awning brackets and wondered – why not use them (rivenuts) with some round head bolts to fix the plywood? Longer work but maybe useful if I need to remove and replace the ply.

    #115509
    mactheknife
    Participant

    Hey spacehopper, I have
    Hey spacehopper, I have looked at rivenuts online and they look like a good solution. do you fit these with sealant to secure them?

    #115515
    mactheknife
    Participant

    Hey spacehopper, I have
    Hey spacehopper, I have looked at rivenuts online and they look like a good solution. do you fit these with sealant to secure them?

    #115513
    spacehopper
    Participant

    sealant not always needed
    the rivenut will form it’s own seal.

    inside the van I wouldn’t see any issues as long as you use enough rivenuts.

    externally, sealant is used as additional bonding and eliminating any possible water traps – as the rivet head will be proud of the surface if you are attaching a bracket, or something else that us flat sided, there will be a gap for water ingress.

    I’ve used self tapping inside on the ply up till now so I am very much in the ‘thinking’ stage. I think rivenuts are not ‘necessary’ and quite probably an over-engineered solution..but if you are into MTB you might be inclined to the bombproof solution as well….

    I’ll let you know how i get on, it’s gonna be about 3 months before I have to commit one way or another…

    All the Best.

    #115519
    spacehopper
    Participant

    sealant not always needed
    the rivenut will form it’s own seal.

    inside the van I wouldn’t see any issues as long as you use enough rivenuts.

    externally, sealant is used as additional bonding and eliminating any possible water traps – as the rivet head will be proud of the surface if you are attaching a bracket, or something else that us flat sided, there will be a gap for water ingress.

    I’ve used self tapping inside on the ply up till now so I am very much in the ‘thinking’ stage. I think rivenuts are not ‘necessary’ and quite probably an over-engineered solution..but if you are into MTB you might be inclined to the bombproof solution as well….

    I’ll let you know how i get on, it’s gonna be about 3 months before I have to commit one way or another…

    All the Best.

    #115517
    spacehopper
    Participant

    clarifications
    when i say water ingress – I mean under the bracket/plate – not into the van past the rivenut.

    whilst not ‘necessary’ i think they offer advantages if you need to fit/re-fit panels or swing off the fittings 🙂

    #115523
    spacehopper
    Participant

    clarifications
    when i say water ingress – I mean under the bracket/plate – not into the van past the rivenut.

    whilst not ‘necessary’ i think they offer advantages if you need to fit/re-fit panels or swing off the fittings 🙂

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