Make: Online : Jake von Slatt's RV

Jake von Slatt's RV

MAKE pal Jake von Slatt gives us a video tour of his refurbished Thomas school bus, with much of the interior materials scrounged from the dump or scored through Freecycle or Craigslist.

Bus Tour - Link

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Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: codfish dan on January 15, 2008 at 3:09 PM

this is what I love to see. you can't buy old buses in the province of new brunswick in canada and I'm pretty sure that goes for nova scotia and PEI as well. they just junk them :(

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Posted by: Camilo Santana on January 16, 2008 at 1:04 AM

rock-n-roll, man. You've got something to really be proud of.

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Posted by: CodeJockey on January 16, 2008 at 2:57 AM

As a former RV bus owner, I can tell you that, while fun to build, they are a constant drain on your bank account. Every replacement mechanical part, every repair, every tow (and you will need tows if you drive it much) costs a small fortune. And don't forget the fuel expense! If you decide to build one, the best thing to do it is to park it on a piece of land somewhere and use it as your vacation getaway cabin and never drive it again.

By the way, did you notice that when he pulled out at the end, that the electrical cord was still attached and he yanked it out and dragged it down the road behind him?

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Posted by: Jake von Slatt on January 16, 2008 at 8:41 AM

@Codejocky

School buses are medium duty trucks, not true buses and I've found that parts are dirt cheap, I recently replaced the air brake cylinders on the back and they cost $50 each - that what car wheel cylinders cost and the air cylinders are the size of your head!

Most buses come out of service with about 100K on them and have plenty of life in them - but always buy from a school district direct, never from a private party! That where the bad buses are.

BTW: The cord got caught on the tow hook when I disconnected it, but I didn't run out the whole 100' before I noticed and stopped.

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Posted by: Kabuki on January 16, 2008 at 9:31 AM

By Jove, Mr. von Slatt! You have succeeded, yet again, in a beautiful retrofit! I am confused on one note, however... Where do you keep your goggles? :)

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Posted by: Josh on January 16, 2008 at 9:36 AM

If I had the money and time, I would LOVE to do things like this. I congratulate you on another project well done.

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Posted by: Caya on January 17, 2008 at 5:34 AM

I'm afraid of using power tools and have virtually no skills to build this thing but you make it look fun and simple. OHHHHHH do I want to do this project! What a stunning job you did! Maybe the dozens of handyman books I have will teach me the skills & get me to overcome my fear of tools that would maim or kill me if I use them wrong- The Call of the Open Road beckons-

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