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Chargerman · 09-23-2019, 01:01 PM

Thanks again for sharing. It’s fun watching your progress.

TRH299 · 09-24-2019, 06:58 PM

Epoxied up the driver's side outer skin tonight (glued and screwed). Slowly but surely getting the front end squared away.

guardrail53 · 09-24-2019, 10:29 PM

Looks great! Getting close to a test fit of the "new" front cap! Hope it fits up well! Rail!

JRS950 · 09-25-2019, 08:34 AM

Amazing work!

RonVBT · 09-25-2019, 09:46 PM

Looking good!

TRH299 · 09-29-2019, 05:49 PM

Finally getting to do some fun stuff.... Cut the passenger side front bracing off and then straightened and replaced some metal in the stairwell bracing (a portion of the outer vertical tube and the lower member). Later this week I will get the front bracing structure from Visone welded in place then move over and do the driver's side. (I know.... I know... my welds look like crap. My auto dim helmet was not working properly so I couldn't see and my mig welder kept sticking... will buy a new helmet later this week and will probably tig weld the outer bracing pieces.)

RonVBT · 09-30-2019, 08:42 AM

It's incredible how much damage there was!

JRS950 · 09-30-2019, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonVBT

It's incredible how much damage there was!

X2 very amazing the extent of the damage. Enjoying this thread.

zo66 · 10-01-2019, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRS950

X2 very amazing the extent of the damage. Enjoying this thread.

X3 on the extent of damages , anyway(s),
I have been following your progress and really appreciate the drive and dedication that it must require to take on a project this involved.

I encourage you to keep posting your journey, as there are a whole lot of us following from all across the country, and countless others that will benefit from your work in the future!

Jim

RonVBT · 10-01-2019, 08:54 AM

I started a major bathroom remodel right after you started the Monaco project. I knew it would take me a long time to finish my project and I thought you may finish your Monaco before my project but as I said earlier, I didn't realize how much damage there was on the Monaco. As it turns out, I only have to finish the walls behind the bath tub, trim around the windows, hook up the drain and faucets, set the bath tub and I'll be done (The tub is sitting on a dolly in the picture). The shower and toilet are functional now. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! There is way more motivation to have a functional bathroom than a motorhome!

I just wanted to say that watching you doing the hard work to make your Monaco right (rather than the easy thing) gave me motivation to do the same on my project. There were several times that I had to tear apart things that were already done to start over and make it right. I'm an A&P mechanic (as well as a pilot) and I have a feeling you may be also.

I took a break a couple of weeks ago to take my lovely wife to Maui. It was a blast...we love Maui. Anyway, I feel as though I have spent too much time on this bath project and have not had the boat or the motorhome out enough this year. Shame!

TRH299 · 10-01-2019, 09:12 AM

Shower looks great Ron! Yep, I have my AP and IA ratings. I am a machine design/mechanical engineer by day but used to keep my IA rating current by doing annual inspections here at my home strip/hangar. Now I only annual/work on my own airplane for fear of the liability of working on others. I now take an IA refresher course (Gliem) each year to keep my IA rating current.

I have been so busy this summer with vacations and repair of various other vehicles/toys. I had hoped to be further along on the coach but I should get quite a bit done this fall and winter. Wish I was retired.... at 53 with lots of toys/hobbies to feed, that is gonna be a long time from now.

I had rationalized to myself that this would be a simple job.

Just like most projects I have done over the years.

I will get her done.... eventually.

RonVBT · 10-01-2019, 09:58 AM

Yeah, Gliem seems to be the way to go. I don’t know about the IA seminars but I used to go to the CFI seminars put on by AOPA. They were a waste of time IMHO. A lot of hangar talk and unrelated information. I now do the online FIRC (Flight Instructor Refresher Course) through American Flyers.

TRH299 · 10-04-2019, 08:53 AM

Was out of town for work this week but here is a mini update.... Last night I finished up welding (with my new welding helmet... so nice to be able to see again lol) and then squirting a bit of satin black paint on the stairwell bracing. This weekend I hope to weld the remaining front bracing in place on both sides. After that, I can replace and wire up missing firewell components then clean it all up and possibly undercoat the whole area.

Below is a before and after of the stairwell bracing.