Roof Hatch Installation-Part Deux

Here is the what I accomplished today with the roof hatch.
Armed with Dan's Sawzall, I removed the inner roof skin.

It wasn't easy. The inner skin is slightly thinner metal than the outer skin.  The rapid sawing motion of the blade cause the metal to vibrate and flop around.  I used a bar to keep the shaking to a minimum so I cut the final portion.

Now I had a hole all the way through my roof.  (Gulp)
I test fitted the hatch frame.  I placed the inner skin temporarily over the top to keep some dust out.

After many different test fittings and micro adjustments I finally got to a position I felt was just right.  I pre-drilled all the holes for the hatch.  Then put down butyl tape around the perimeter of the hatch and over the pre-drilled holes.  I silicone caulked the inner corner of the frame. Then I put the frame down one final time and bolted it down.  You can clearly see grinder marks from when I removed hatch from the other bus.

After the screws went in I covered the outer seam and the screw heads with some butyl caulk.

This stuff is the best to use on RV roofs.  It is also the messiest caulk I have ever used.  It is rubbery and not easy to shape with your finger.   But it is more durable and flexible than silicone.  I really gobbed this stuff around the outside.
Here is a pick after I installed door to frame.  This is hatch door closed. (Cosmetic stuff like washing fingerprints off and fine tuning a few other things will happen later)

Hatch Door Open (driving height, not escape height)

Inside view of hatch before interior trim was added.

After some trial and error, I got the trim to fit the curve of the bus ceiling...pretty much.  Ignore the slight cracks in places between frame and trim.  Another cosmetic issue for later.

 I do believe the professional grade installation is pretty tight...and it really makes my curtains pop.

I have a few more things to do to fine tune it but I am really pleased with the finished product.   One more big project under my belt and checked off my list.

 I have to run now and put stuff away and pack.  I am going a few hours away for a job fixing up a house tomorrow morning.  Dan, you'll remember him from my free diesel post..he has been providing work for me all week.  Started out pulling Turbo chargers out of the buses that were salvaged and doing some other things.  Dan took me for a drive through, mini tour of downtown Denver last night.  Very cool downtown area, lots to do.  Anyhow, I will be gone for a few days.  I am leaving the bus here at the storage lot, but I get to bring Nala along with me.

Movies worth seeing

I have decided to share a few of my latest favorite movies.  Movie watching is what I do late at night before going to bed.  I can't always be viewing incredible landscapes and hunting for large game.  Sure, I might rub dirt into my open wounds and I can fix the carburetor on my generator but I am multifaceted.  And yes, my travel videos won't win any awards...YET.
I do enjoy a really good movie and I would like to share a few with you that I have recently watched. Click the title to go to the corresponding IMDB (Internet Movie Database) page so you can get a little more background for yourself. (preferably open in a new tab).

    

The Next Three Days- Simply the best movie in months.  Super suspenseful, clever and thrilling.  Should be on your Must See movie list.

Let Me In - I really liked it.  Horror movie for the non-horror movie fan.  This one is really good, and it has an intriguing/strange underlying theme.  And kids as stars of scary movies freak me out.  Reminiscent of classics like The Exorcist and The Shining.  Fresh and Original.  Not gratuitously gory.

The Mechanic - Not brilliant but definitely fun.  I will call this my guilty pleasure action movie.  

Country Strong - I had high hopes for this film.  It is watchable, but if I hadn't been an extra in it I probably wouldn't include it here.  Don't look for me.  I ended up on the cutting room floor.  Curse my scene stealing movie star good looks.

Get Low - A little gem of a find. 

No Strings Attached - A surprisingly poignant comedy.  Demographic best for 18-39 year old.  Great, snappy dialogue.  Would make a fun date movie.  The premise is not for the conservative at heart. 

127 Hours - No Brainer.  Of course a guy like me would like a movie like this. 

Black Swan - If you are in a mood for a deep, dark movie, then this is the one for you.  Psychological thriller with ballet.   Not for all audiences...you are either interested or not.

Mr Nobody - A personal favorite of mine, but this is really deep, quantum physics deep.  A thought provoker for the cerebral.  Not recommended for everybody.  Fun to watch, just follow closely.  

Winter's Bone - The best movie of the past year.  Gritty and Original.  Just watch it.  Thank me later.