Cutting the plywood to fit

[She_websitetoolbox_import3114]

I bought a 4x8 plywood piece and had it cut to my van.&nbsp;Unfortunately&nbsp;with all the nooks and&nbsp;cranny's and all the storage places the van came with its not going to get in.&nbsp;<img rel="lightbox" src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" class="bbc_img"> &nbsp;So I need a plan B and I cannot at this point afford to buy another piece of plywood. Here's&nbsp;my thought&nbsp;&nbsp;cut in middle and screw the extra piece that came after the cutting underneath it. I had it cut to 73 inches because of there is a lip on both sides that the plywood can rest on. Have 6 4x4 posts ready to put underneath it if needed. Or would it be more secure to do it at the foot of the bed where there is less weight being put on it?

 

[peacetara]

One option, is to remove a bunch of the storage places that are in the way...<br><br>Another option, is to just cut around them.&nbsp; If you measure everything carefully you can transfer it to your plywood, and then cut.&nbsp; Unless you can get it in the van, and then you can just draw directly onto the wood.<br><br>When I was doing my floor, I had the same problems, I ended up doing a hybrid approach to the 2 above, and did some removing of things from the van, and some cutting into the plywood.<br><br>You could cut it in the middle, but it will rest a bit funny on the 4x4 posts I would think.&nbsp; I would guess the better option is one of the 2 above (or a combined approach).<br><br>I had help from a friend while doing my floor, and it made it a lot quicker and smoother!<br><br>Regardless of what you do, I wish you lots and lots of successes!<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[She_websitetoolbox_import3114]

I can't remove the storage items cause its a conversion van. It came loads with storage on the top and bottom. Its build in. I am doing pretty much what you said and am cutting 2 inches off on either end to see if it will slip in. I'll take a picture later to show you what I mean.

 

[She_websitetoolbox_import3114]

Okkkkkkk&nbsp;that's&nbsp;not working!! LOL Who said this was fun? I have banged my nose with plywood full force,got splinters already and haven't seen much fruitful gain in getting this crap in. Plan C..... this is suppose to be the width of the plywood,hence a twin and a half bed. So I am cutting the 9 inches part&nbsp;length way. The rest seats on a lip so it will slip right in. Get&nbsp;piano hinges to put the other 9 inches on it. That will work. I get more storage more bed and maybe even a little back rest for my pillows.

 

[ccbreder]

I hope you have a handy friend or friend of a friend, but it is all a learning process, and you are stronger and smarter for it. When it is done you are prouder also. Too late my suggestion. but cut and fit cardboard templates and then cut plywood. Good luck, you will be ok. If you in SJ i would be better able to help.

 

[peacetara]

Aww <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> I am sorry you are having such a tough time! Just think of what you will have accomplished when you do get it in!! I know you can! I have faith in you !

With love,
Tara

 

[SirJoey]

<br><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>She, do U have any way of taking &amp; posting some pics of wot you're up against?</strong></span><br><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Maybe we can help if we can get a little look-see.&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br></strong></span>

 

[She_websitetoolbox_import3114]

As you can see from the pictures I have storage on the bottom as well on top. A tight squeeze. &nbsp;I had to cut pretty short but I can work around it.&nbsp;The&nbsp;seat&nbsp;isn't&nbsp;there anymore of course and that storage goes right to the wheel base. Where the ashtray is and headphone thing is....its 73 inches across...perfect size for a bed. The rest is 64 inches so it was very hard trying to put it in with all the angles in the way. I am happy to say though I got it in! had to cut the wood very short but I can work around it now...very happy!!!!<br><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i406/tinyfeets/The house/IMG061.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br><br><br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i406/tinyfeets/The house/IMG069.jpg" class="bbc_img">

 

[peacetara]

Woohoo!!! Go She!!

Congrats on finally getting it in!

With love,
Tara

 

[wrcsixeight]

Trying to get a piece of plywood to fit tightly around objects as one pictures the final result is not easy. &nbsp;One can take a thousand measurements from a central point then apply them to the plywood.<br><br>Or one can make templates. &nbsp;Piece together cardboard. &nbsp;Cut out the cardboard so it fits tight to a particular area, then tape that piece to a larger piece which did not require much modification to fit. &nbsp;When you get the template all taped together in place, lift it out, place it on the plywood, trace the edges in thick &nbsp;pencil and cut with a jig/saber saw.<br><br>If this is for a floor piece. Seal the edges of the plywood with paint/primer or polyurethane or something similar

 

[She_websitetoolbox_import3114]

I so agree&nbsp;<span style="font-size: small;">wrcsixeight. If ever I should do this again and I am sure I will&nbsp;</span>that's<span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;hows how I would it. Would have saved me &nbsp;lot of headaches!<br><br>Tara thanks so much for being on my side! <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></span>

 

[SirJoey]

<br><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Congrats on the success! </strong></span><br><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Aggravating though it was, it'll be easier next time!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"><br><br></strong></span>

 

[lampliter]

There's a gauge with "teeth" that slide in and out that conforms to the shape of the object it is placed against. You can then transfer the shape to whatever you're cutting to fit.

 

[lampliter]

Contour gauge.