Making a camp storage cabinet

[Nat130]

Hi all,

We have just started making a camp storage cabinet to put in the back of the 130 canopy. All up its about 1200 wide, 600 high and 600 deep.

The frame is made up of aluminium tubing, fitted together with plastic connectors. We have used primed and sealed 3 mm MDF for the top and sides etc. Trying to keep it light so we can lift it in and out if need be.

The only part left is the front door. This is where I would like some suggestions if anyone has any. The front door will hinge down from the bottom so that when you open it (by pulling it down) it will become a table at the same time.

Thing we are having trouble with is trying to come up with something cheap and suitable for the door/table. Its about 1200 x 500. We though of malamine but we looked at the stuff at Bunnings and it looks like it will damage easily. Thought of going metal but that becomes costly as does perspex.

If anyone has made something similar I would love to see some pictures or get some of your ideas.

Thanks Natalie

[isuzu110]

Hi

If it were me, I would have made it out of marine ply but understand that is more expensive than MDF. I'd be worried about the MDF getting wet.

As for the table, a mate of mine recently did up a Jayco Pop-top caravan. He used this Laminate paint from White Knight

http://www.whiteknightpaints.com.au/product/view/laminate-paint

And it looks really good and seems durable (has kids). You would need a very smooth finish on the surface. I imagine that this on ply would look yuk but on a smooth 10mm MDF would look good with a couple of coats.

There's an idea

[Nat130]

Thanks for that.

Yes MDF wasn't our first choice but after the money spent on the aluminium frame etc it didn't leave much in the petty cash ;)

We have sealed the MDF and we are putting a gloss coat on it, also once the sides etc are attached we will cap it off with aluminium capping.

I'll have a read up on the laminate paint, thanks again.

[Disco300Tdi]

It never happened without pics ........;) ;)

[Nat130]

yes I know :p

I will take some and post them Monday

[hiline]

yes I know :p

I will take some and post them Monday


well well Monday is here :D :D :D

but no pics at this stage:( :( :(


maybe after work today ;) ;) ;)

[waynep]

For a table how about a frame of aluminium square section with something thin 3mm -6 mm on top. you would save weight that way.
the white plastic like they use for the chopping boards would be good, if you can get it
or look around for an old formica topped table at a garage sale or something and use the top off that.
or Ray's Outdoors have fairly cheap camping tables maybe the top off one of those and throw away the legs.

[Nat130]

Photos are on the camera....took them yesterday but left the camera at home!!

I will remember to bring it tomorrow. :)

[hiline]

Photos are on the camera....took them yesterday but left the camera at home!!

I will remember to bring it tomorrow. :)


:twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: was someone running late this morning :D :D ;)

[Coastie]

http://www.drifta.com.au/Assets/sup07.jpg

I realise this is not what you are building but we have the 300 model and the front door has chamfered edges which slides into the front of the box and then becomes the tab le on the left hand side of the photo. It is mounted with L brackets which slide into checked out pieces of timber. The best part is that the box when shut is dust and rain proof. It is heavy as its made of 12mm ply all round. Still fully packed one person can lift it without a back injury.

[Nat130]

1804 1805 1806

1807 1808

Here are the pics (I wasn't running late this morning :p ), we are still in the process of sealing the panels. Just have one more coat an exterior gloss finish and they will be done.

So the door/table in question will not be covering the opening where the draws are.

[hiline]

that looks good and heaps more room still for other stuff :o

[Nat130]

Thanks, I was sick of getting somewhere and lifting everything out of the truck...such as boxes of plates, bowls etc. This way it will all be in the back.

On the weekend I also made like a cargo net (out of a tape, like dog lead) that will be suspended off the ceiling of the canopy so that the pillows and bedding can be placed in it. That means we can throw the wood and fire bin in the tray etc without making a mess.

[hiline]

only thing you will have to watch out for is condensation on the roof of the canopy

mine is a real pain in behind in winter:mad:

[Nat130]

I have lined the canopy with wonderwall - it is like a carpet. Bought it at spotlight $8.99mt (about 1.2mt wide from memory).

At the moment we sleep in the tray (waiting for our new roof tent to arrive) and we don't have a condensation problem. We did before we glued the wonderwall on though.

[hiline]

not a bad idea at all :D :thumbsup:

[Nat130]

The cabinet is nearly finished (just needs some chain so the door doesn't drop).

Ended up using 3mm chequer plate.

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[waynep]

nice :ehand: :clap2: ..the chequer plate was probably a bit more expensive but now the whole thing looks very pofessional.

[Nat130]

Yeah I couldn't help myself, it was about $55 but it doesn't flex, suits as a table top and looks good :)