So good to see you back in the saddle mate! Sorry to hear you"ve had a rough trot the last year. You and your content are loved by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. You've certainly been one of my favourite youtube discoveries. Cant wait for the rest of this series to finally see the light of day.
This is a van I would buy when complete. Knowing the work that's gone into it and the attention to detail. Can't wait to see the finished product. Good to see you back Matt.
Long time no see! I'll keep it brief because I've posted a full explanation for the lack of van updates on my Instagram profile. Just wanted to thank you all for your patience while I figure out how to work on this thing again. Last year was very testing in a number of ways and I'm itching to get started on this thing again! In fact, some of the footage in this video (such as laying the vinyl floor) was filmed this time last year! Hopefully I'll get the next update released in a more timely manner. As always, I'll be responding to every comment made in the first 24 hours of this videos release. Any questions or feedback lemme know! 👇
11:32 'There's going to be lots of vibration in this van that could shake things loose over time.' Okay Matt we get it. Your a hit with the ladies. No need to rub it in.
Fantastic idea to use the plastic hollow section, it's nice clean and tidy, cheap to buy easy to work with, and running the cables through the hollow section is just genius, also doing the dry fit first, is also a great idea, the only criticism I'd say, is I'd use small screws instead of the nails, it would have been easier, but that's just personal preference, Great work!
I'm not surprised how hard you're going out on this van but jeeze you could be happy in a van with way less effort than this. I hope you love it when it's all done! It won't look terrible. Your perfectionism is getting in the way. I am five years into my build while living in it and yeah there are mistakes but van life is not about all that. Just don't get caught in a spiral over this stuff.
Glad to have you back Matt. Been itching to see this installment. Now you've got this experience I'm just wondering if it's ok to pop my van round for you to convert 😆 Stay mentally well buddy.
Matt, you didn't give up on RUclips, did you? I miss all of your plane videos. I watched your video on the Amazon plane and realized in my day-to-day life how much stuff is made overseas, but I still want my community to support me when I'm not necessarily supporting my community with the tools I purchase. I've now changed as much as I can to either Made in Canada, England, or America. I mean, the Americans have nothing on the Canadians and Brits, but I'll throw them a bone here and there😂
I've got a few things to say: You make ordinary perfectionists look like complete slackers. Your attention to detail and precision is phenomenal. I was going to make some kind of comment like "the sphincter is strong with this one. There, I did! I don't think this van should ever leave the garage. It is going to be so perfect, the thought of it out on roads with other drivers and the elements is too scary! Most of all, really beautiful, creative, and thoughtful work. Well done. I can't wait for the next installment.
Nothing wrong with pocket holes and don't you just love a multitool. I am sure I could see a gap in one of the mitres. not acceptable Matt, otherwise it's not a bad job you are doing.
That plastic cladding is the worst to work with im suprised you chose it for the van project. All i can imagine is the creaking and noise its going to make as the body of the van moves or flexes.
I've been doing a lot of framing for our self-build, all in timber (not metal frame) - highly recommend doing the rough equivalent of a pocket-jig, that is to say, pilot and countersink bit aimed carefully - do it by eye... works a treat. Saves faffing around with pocket jigs and you can do it in a piece that's already installed...
Use some cardboard to make a template for the vinyl floor next time. It is much easier than cutting it inside the car. You should use screws. Even screws can work their way out in a vibrating van - I am talking from experience from our camper van.
High Mat, just watched the bowl turning mate,lovely thought and heartfelt gesture. You also mentioned a little bit of financial trouble, hope you're out of the woods and back on an open path to well deserved success. I don't think I will be alone in wishing you all the very best for the future and be seeing and hearing from you via you tube, you definitely do, do, some fantastic work & great tutorials. Cheers mate 👍 Les.
I too have a small cramped shop. I would 100% go this route if I wasent a 6'4" 240lb Yeti with incurable pain. I am going for a nice shop like you and a small cabin.
Something you mentioned in one of your other videos really improved my own van build. You were talking about the thin ply with the sandwiched insulating foam. It sounded like just what I needed, and was something I'd never heard of. Unfortunately it was about £100/sheet, so I made my own. Used roofing tile battens for framework, stapled on 4mm xps heated flooring foam then covered with 5mm ply. Not quite as thin as the special stuff, but for less than £15 for a 1200x2400 sheet, well worth the tradeoff. So, thanks for mentioning them, otherwise I'd have never got my van so well insulated.
Thats an amazing idea! Unfortunaterly I was unable to source the stuff in 15mm thick board so had to scrap the idea al together. Instead opting for a lightweight poplar ply for most the cabinetry. I wish I thought of making it myself!
@@MattEstlea I'm poor as fuck, so pretty much everything in my van is either bodged from old wood offcuts, cheap materials or improvised versions of real products. I did start off with 4mm ply, but it was hard to get stuff that didn't delaminate if you looked funny at it. If I'd had the time, space and money, I'd have probably done a proper job of it with the thinnest ply I could find, then sandwich XPS foam and glue them to make proper sheets. Doing it in layers was an arse with the thermafleece lining. Trying to keep the fragile foam in place long enough to get the ply on top and fixed down. Turns out cheap just means harder to work with.
Beautiful work, Matt. Thanks for sharing. All the detail of your thoughts as you build it. Definitely the nicest van conversion that I have seen on RUclips so far. Thanks for sharing!
Im hoping it all goes well Matt, am looking forward to seeing some new carpentry videos soon. I learn so much from your videos. Keep up the great work you do.
Just found your channel today and binge-watched your van series! Glad it popped up in my recommendations. I have to wonder what took so long! haha.... anyway..... great content and material delivery with engaging entertainment value! Newly subscribed!
I like your cladding, easy to clean etc. I am planning similar, but I would like a “white wood lime wash “ style finish..there is a Vinyl Warehouse that does all sorts of Fablon etc.
Yea I think it'll be a great asset in the long run. Only thing I'm worried about is damage from impact which causes it to split or crack. It's not very easily repairable now that I;ve glued + nailed it in place!
Fantastic job Matt, must feel great to neaten it up with the cladding, doing this van build would make my brain explode 🤯 Best of health and happiness to you.
@@MattEstlea it all looks the same when your eyes are closed. But I guess you do have to open them eventually. That's when the work you're doing pays off.
the full, seperate videos detailing the whole process are on his van channel. This is an overview of the work from the last year or so, in a quicker, less detailed format.
As @theimperialmushroom said, I've got two series running simultaneously. This video is the 'Main Series' which is primarily for entertainment purposes. The extended series on the 'Matt's Van' Channel is more of an educational, how to overview for people who want to convert a van themselves
I’ve been woodworking for over 45 years and think I can make just about any joint - if I wanted to. Pocket hole joinery has its place; sometimes it’s absolutely the wrong joint to use and sometimes it’s the right joint. To rubbish pocket hole joinery per se is just woodworking snobbery. And this trade has more than enough snobbery.
a) not that flammable, doubt they would use it on houses if it was. b) super light weight c) super easy to clean d) good insulation e) wiring opportunities f) nice clean look Seems like a good choice to me!
So good to see you back in the saddle mate! Sorry to hear you"ve had a rough trot the last year. You and your content are loved by hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. You've certainly been one of my favourite youtube discoveries. Cant wait for the rest of this series to finally see the light of day.
Thank you, really appreciate it!
This is a van I would buy when complete. Knowing the work that's gone into it and the attention to detail. Can't wait to see the finished product. Good to see you back Matt.
Long time no see! I'll keep it brief because I've posted a full explanation for the lack of van updates on my Instagram profile. Just wanted to thank you all for your patience while I figure out how to work on this thing again. Last year was very testing in a number of ways and I'm itching to get started on this thing again! In fact, some of the footage in this video (such as laying the vinyl floor) was filmed this time last year!
Hopefully I'll get the next update released in a more timely manner. As always, I'll be responding to every comment made in the first 24 hours of this videos release. Any questions or feedback lemme know! 👇
I love the upgrade. This van looks good Matt. Keep the good work.
Has anyone ever told you sound just like another RUclipsr jackfrags?
11:32 'There's going to be lots of vibration in this van that could shake things loose over time.'
Okay Matt we get it. Your a hit with the ladies. No need to rub it in.
Nice to see a live Jackfrags! Now i need to find Frankieon pc 😁
I just admire your attention to detail and putting your foot down when others would have said, "that's good enough". Love your content! Cheers
Fantastic idea to use the plastic hollow section, it's nice clean and tidy, cheap to buy easy to work with, and running the cables through the hollow section is just genius, also doing the dry fit first, is also a great idea, the only criticism I'd say, is I'd use small screws instead of the nails, it would have been easier, but that's just personal preference, Great work!
I'm not surprised how hard you're going out on this van but jeeze you could be happy in a van with way less effort than this.
I hope you love it when it's all done!
It won't look terrible. Your perfectionism is getting in the way.
I am five years into my build while living in it and yeah there are mistakes but van life is not about all that. Just don't get caught in a spiral over this stuff.
5 minutes 45 seconds you missed a massive click bate opportunity: “Professional woodworker uses pocket holes”.
GODDAMIT.
Glad to have you back Matt. Been itching to see this installment. Now you've got this experience I'm just wondering if it's ok to pop my van round for you to convert 😆 Stay mentally well buddy.
Matt, you didn't give up on RUclips, did you? I miss all of your plane videos. I watched your video on the Amazon plane and realized in my day-to-day life how much stuff is made overseas, but I still want my community to support me when I'm not necessarily supporting my community with the tools I purchase. I've now changed as much as I can to either Made in Canada, England, or America. I mean, the Americans have nothing on the Canadians and Brits, but I'll throw them a bone here and there😂
I've got a few things to say:
You make ordinary perfectionists look like complete slackers. Your attention to detail and precision is phenomenal. I was going to make some kind of comment like "the sphincter is strong with this one. There, I did!
I don't think this van should ever leave the garage. It is going to be so perfect, the thought of it out on roads with other drivers and the elements is too scary!
Most of all, really beautiful, creative, and thoughtful work. Well done. I can't wait for the next installment.
Nothing wrong with pocket holes and don't you just love a multitool. I am sure I could see a gap in one of the mitres. not acceptable Matt, otherwise it's not a bad job you are doing.
That plastic cladding is the worst to work with im suprised you chose it for the van project. All i can imagine is the creaking and noise its going to make as the body of the van moves or flexes.
Lol, bruh sounds like JackFrags.
Good to see you Matt! Van's looking GREAT! Look forward to the next episode.
OK, you sound exactly like JackFrags 😂
I've been doing a lot of framing for our self-build, all in timber (not metal frame) - highly recommend doing the rough equivalent of a pocket-jig, that is to say, pilot and countersink bit aimed carefully - do it by eye... works a treat. Saves faffing around with pocket jigs and you can do it in a piece that's already installed...
Looks great Matt, any ideas on how much the conversion will increase the weight of the van?
I'm going to get it weighed when I'm finished to give a total weight increase. I'm estimating it to be floating around the 3 ton mark.
Looking so good Matt! I bet you’re seeing the light at the end of that very long tunnel now 😜👊🏻
Cheers Sam!
Are you rich?? Tell me the secret, Matt.
A heat gun/hair dryer on hottest setting would have helped with the pliability of the vinyl flooring. Bit late now like…
Oh that's interesting. Didn't know that was possible. Probably didn't help I installed it in the middle of February too!
Use some cardboard to make a template for the vinyl floor next time. It is much easier than cutting it inside the car. You should use screws. Even screws can work their way out in a vibrating van - I am talking from experience from our camper van.
Thought Jackfrags was older based off his voice but this guy looks to be in his 20's. Very intelligent dude.
I hope I'm going to get to see the van at Makers Central. It's coming along well.
Don't think it'll be there this year. But hopefully I'll get it parked there next year!
High Mat, just watched the bowl turning mate,lovely thought and heartfelt gesture.
You also mentioned a little bit of financial trouble, hope you're out of the woods and back on an open path to well deserved success.
I don't think I will be alone in wishing you all the very best for the future and be seeing and hearing from you via you tube, you definitely do, do, some fantastic work & great tutorials.
Cheers mate 👍 Les.
@jackfrags is this you?
A tip for cutting soffit, flip the blade on your miter saw so the back of the teeth do the cutting. It will be much smoother and works quite well.
I too have a small cramped shop.
I would 100% go this route if I wasent a 6'4" 240lb Yeti with incurable pain.
I am going for a nice shop like you and a small cabin.
Something you mentioned in one of your other videos really improved my own van build. You were talking about the thin ply with the sandwiched insulating foam. It sounded like just what I needed, and was something I'd never heard of. Unfortunately it was about £100/sheet, so I made my own. Used roofing tile battens for framework, stapled on 4mm xps heated flooring foam then covered with 5mm ply. Not quite as thin as the special stuff, but for less than £15 for a 1200x2400 sheet, well worth the tradeoff.
So, thanks for mentioning them, otherwise I'd have never got my van so well insulated.
Thats an amazing idea! Unfortunaterly I was unable to source the stuff in 15mm thick board so had to scrap the idea al together. Instead opting for a lightweight poplar ply for most the cabinetry. I wish I thought of making it myself!
@@MattEstlea I'm poor as fuck, so pretty much everything in my van is either bodged from old wood offcuts, cheap materials or improvised versions of real products.
I did start off with 4mm ply, but it was hard to get stuff that didn't delaminate if you looked funny at it. If I'd had the time, space and money, I'd have probably done a proper job of it with the thinnest ply I could find, then sandwich XPS foam and glue them to make proper sheets. Doing it in layers was an arse with the thermafleece lining. Trying to keep the fragile foam in place long enough to get the ply on top and fixed down. Turns out cheap just means harder to work with.
I have a shower in my van. It does take a lot of space but I think its worth it. I can boondock in nature and still shower every day.
Hi Matt, great project, extremely well planned and executed. Just a couple of unexpected hiccups, but hey, that's the nature of the beast.
an interior shower instead of a curtain rod mount on the outside... interesting. in dead of winter it would still be usable, so, never thought of?
Beautiful work, Matt. Thanks for sharing. All the detail of your thoughts as you build it. Definitely the nicest van conversion that I have seen on RUclips so far. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Matt, are you all right?
Are you JackFrags?
Great vid, i'm actually getting excited about how it will look when its finished .
You are doing a GREAT job! Good luck with the rest……..
If you would heat up the areas of the vinyl that you need it to conform around it helps and than just cut.
It's starting to look awesome Matt, keep up the good work!
Your attention to detail is unreal, looking forward to the next.
Im hoping it all goes well Matt, am looking forward to seeing some new carpentry videos soon. I learn so much from your videos. Keep up the great work you do.
Aiming for at least one a month this year. Got some really nice projects in the works at the moment. Cheers!
Just found your channel today and binge-watched your van series! Glad it popped up in my recommendations. I have to wonder what took so long! haha.... anyway..... great content and material delivery with engaging entertainment value! Newly subscribed!
Thank you! Great to have you here :)
Great series Matt. Looking forward to the next episode :o)
I like your cladding, easy to clean etc. I am planning similar, but I would like a “white wood lime wash “ style finish..there is a Vinyl Warehouse that does all sorts of Fablon etc.
Yea I think it'll be a great asset in the long run. Only thing I'm worried about is damage from impact which causes it to split or crack. It's not very easily repairable now that I;ve glued + nailed it in place!
Matt your attention to detail is inspirational! Bravo!👏
Why does he sound like JackFrags so much
Fantastic job Matt, must feel great to neaten it up with the cladding, doing this van build would make my brain explode 🤯
Best of health and happiness to you.
Yea it's rough work but is definitely paying off. Cheers!
Where did my comment go?
💈✂️👦
I refuse.
If it were me I'd have just thrown a sleeping bag in the back and called it done.
I've already done this a number of times haha. Saves paying for overnight accomodation at a hotel!
@@MattEstlea it all looks the same when your eyes are closed. But I guess you do have to open them eventually. That's when the work you're doing pays off.
what do you have planed for fresh water/waste water storage?
Fresh water stored internally under the bed. Waste water under the van on the drivers side.
Howdy from Oregon.
Well hello good sir
Was this already posted on the second channel, because I've seen this before?
the full, seperate videos detailing the whole process are on his van channel. This is an overview of the work from the last year or so, in a quicker, less detailed format.
As @theimperialmushroom said, I've got two series running simultaneously. This video is the 'Main Series' which is primarily for entertainment purposes. The extended series on the 'Matt's Van' Channel is more of an educational, how to overview for people who want to convert a van themselves
anymore on van build
This is awesome, good job man!
Thank you :)
I’ve been woodworking for over 45 years and think I can make just about any joint - if I wanted to. Pocket hole joinery has its place; sometimes it’s absolutely the wrong joint to use and sometimes it’s the right joint. To rubbish pocket hole joinery per se is just woodworking snobbery. And this trade has more than enough snobbery.
Couldn't agree more!
So good to see someone tackle a conversion with the same perfectionist mental illness I suffer from! Well done, look forward to the next installment.
It's honestly a curse haha. Cheers mate!
Why did you put the most flammable stuff known to man in your van as cladding??
It's not polystyrene soaked in petrol
It's uPVC, isn't it? Not that flammable but if it does burn, you don't want to be anywhere near it.
What would you have used as cladding @justkiddin1980
Because he’s a carpenter not an arsonist? Why would it ever be exposed to a flame?
a) not that flammable, doubt they would use it on houses if it was.
b) super light weight
c) super easy to clean
d) good insulation
e) wiring opportunities
f) nice clean look
Seems like a good choice to me!