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Latest (FUN!) Project

It was driving me nuts in some ways that we sold our teardrop to P&P so I was looking for something to do that wouldn’t take a lot of time, was easily built (and hence easy on my back) and unique.

While researching my dad’s side of the family a few weeks back I stumbled (once again) across the families original name on a site about Romnichels (gypsies). Hmm, serendipity?

The Gypsy Vardo is the project! Timothy Lemke (and crew) have put together a great book and plan set to build one.

More soon!

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This entry was posted on Monday, September 28th, 2009 at 4:53 pm and is filed under Fun, Life, Photos, Plans, Projects, Vardo. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Rick

Hi Julie,

They are built to the standard dimensions (1" x 12"). We didn't change any measurements just added a few decorative cuts here and there. The only issue we ran into is that the templates were stretched a bit during printing (?) as we're a bit narrower and a bit taller than the plan (a little over 1/4" each way).

We're still not finished with it and the gallery shows the progress. http://picasaweb.google.com/RamblingOaks/Vardo?...

Heh, not much wisdom to pass on, just take your time. The hardest cuts for us were the joints where the runners meet the end walls (pay special attention to the tooth width on your blade).

We'll be finishing in the spring (too cold now for any work as we can't get the barn warm enough to do anything). We still have to decide on how to build the bunk and then paint/stain the inside (floor is already stained).

Have fun with it as it's a fun little project! We're looking forward to taking it out on a few trips, guaranteed it's an unusual camper that will have a lot of people turning their heads.

Already planning another one too - but the next one will be a ledge wagon or Reading style.

Post up a link to photos sometime!

Rick

Julie Holmes

Hi, We just bought the Timothy Lemke book and are very excited about getting started on our Vardo. I have been looking at your pictures and wondered if you have made some alterations to Timothy's pattern, it looks like your seating comes up more than what his directions call for. I also really like the decorative ends you put on yours. Do you have pictures of your Vardo finished? I would love to see them. any words of wisdom as we set off on this adventure?
Thank you for your time,
Julie

Rick

Heh, no. :) Though I did date a little person once :) KIDDING!

It just seemed fitting and as I said, and a bit serendipitous to come across the link.

Right now I'm interested in any type of housing as well so it's an interesting experiment.

I've already made a few mods to the plan (to make it more like an original and am adding a ceramic additive to the finish paint that will add some insulation to the base and the top will be insulated with Reflextix (http://www.reflectixinc.com/). The original Vardo's would've been insulated with woolen carpets or something similar.

Jaime

A Vardo? Really? Have you been possessed by L. Frank Baum? :D