I Built a SECRET Door in my Ultimate Photography Campervan!

[@wendypronk3307]

It's so fun to watch these van videos, felt like a treat watching it after returning from holidays. That van will be such a great home away from home for your trips!

[@DarrenRussinger]

“Why can’t I do maths! I have a PHD”. Brilliant 😂😂

[@malcolmtully9399]

Nigel, I've been watching you for a while now but this has been the most intriguing video you've produced. It really shows the more human side of yourself. As a cabinet maker for 30 years and also a machinist in the aircraft industry I can really feel your struggles with the build and also your solutions to the problems. Keep the videos coming mate !

[@gordonelwell7084]

Now for the real challenge . . . blueprint the whole project, and template each and every part, and then market it as a "standard mod" for these vans! Now there's a real challenge for you . . .

[@carlb401]

A little tip re the goggles etc as i am the same and always put stuff in a safe place. So in my workshop i made a ''safety board'' out of ply and fixed it to the wall next to one of my machines. On it i keep goggles, dust mask, push sticks, ear defenders and everything is easy to reach and use.

[@KayGill]

🤣🤣🤣 'All the gear and no idea' is the phrase that comes to mind lols....

[@louisburley1597]

I’m loving this series

[@Ricardo14]

Surface, main storage. This is our rule Nigel 😂😂 In your photography videos everything is so perfect made it, music, b-roll, editing... even when you don't get a good photo the final video is a piece of art. These camper videos are sooo funny. I would love to watch this funny, clumsy and spontaneous Nigel in your normal photo videos. Thanks from Spain, I'm looking forward for watching th next episode.

[@nerrelloader4226]

So much fun watching your fun and frustration of your van build. Getting there. Woohoo!

[@Sharpened_Spoon]

Definitely the right call on the bulkhead. It’s what I did on mine and would work amazing if the cat didn’t demand constant access from her food to the best viewing spot. I had a similar frustration to begin with, measuring and cutting to a drawing; the space in a van is so far from uniform I just began measuring and marking materials in place, in the van, then I made far less mistakes and recuts to account for all the tapered walls. The trick is to become skilled in scribing off the surface you’re fitting the part too. The tiny details are what count as you show at the end, snipping the trim for a perfect fit. You see everything all the time and don’t have the depth to hide that stuff. The finish often is the structure. The pocket door looks really well executed Nigel, it’s a nice layer of convenience and security too.

[@SergeiBarol]

It's fantastic to see a new video from Nigel again! Have a good luck Nigel, great work!

[@kerriewilson7714]

Enjoying the van build series. Measure twice, cut once is my only advice. Can’t wait to see it finished!

[@richardpesce5325]

I really like all your videos, but this is the best. It is nice to know I am not the only one that cannot add correctly!😄

[@Kramfors1]

This is sooooo entertaining!!! I hope your van build never finishes 😍🤩

[@thomasuhlmann899]

Hi Nigel, how's the van coming along? I am really curious how your final build looks like. So much useful information in this series.

[@banditalley9592]

"Captain Dust Extraction" - never seen so much work and so little dust! I'm impressed!

[@albert25hoo]

Hi Nigel, you seem to build also a big library of spatial problem solving and spatial observing, very useful later in you landscape photography. Good luck. Bert.

[@the_rat_run]

The van is coming on a treat, Nigel. Looking forward to seeing which photo you choose as wallpaper. Enjoyed every minute of the video, great fun!

[@Sol-nl5bt]

How can you call it a secret door if now everyone knows about it?

[@kaneclements7761]

I was just going to post that.

[@NigelDanson]

Oh crap...

[@Jake-vt4ow]

@@NigelDanson😂❤

[@estwern]

Because it helps with clicks

[@stevehassall6862]

It's great to see someone who's as erratic as I am when I'm doing something, start worrying when you're looking for your pencil and it's in your hand, been there done that 😵‍💫

[@gig.monkey]

Access to the cab is such a good idea, like you say, both for bad weather and safety.

[@hoythausgsp]

Great video! Love the enthusiasm! I thought for sure Pebbles would come in wearing you goggles! Lol

[@ScottRae]

Ahhhhhh that explains why you were keeping a bulkhead! Though good plan to make sure you've got a pass through - not having to leave the van will be a real bonus! We got a motorhome not so long ago, and was genuinely surprised how much heat seems to be lost / cold seems to enter via the cab - which is a real bugger because we've got (and the van really needs) captains chairs, so we need to figure a way to keep some heat in, though the external windscreen cover helps massively, and stops the condensation you get (and the damage it can cause) from internal covers

[@jameshopkins1919]

Nigel. May be too late, but consider “Falcata” plywood (aka Sengon) if you can get it in UK. Nearly as strong as pine or similar plywood sheets, but about 30% lighter, and probably a lot cheaper than the foam core so could be great in places where the foam core does not provide dual purpose (insulation). Would be perfect for in a van fitout. It is rare in NZ and I think it comes from Indonesia, but worth it for weight saving if you can!

[@andyblessett1951]

"Captain Chaos PhD" hahaha...Top job Nigel 👍

[@tonysutton6559]

I've used those sliding door runners from Screwfix and they are fantastic quality but a top hinged hatch would have been easier, cheaper and would have provided more insulation as there will be no insulation in the pocket where the door hides when it is in the open position.

[@soils1111]

Thanks for the video. Interesting/amusing. Brings to mind the saying "Rocket Science, that's the easy bit. Rocket Engineering is where the work begins" 😇😇😇😇

[@luisfigueroa3300]

I hope your pass through door won’t rattle. I love using metric measurements instead of the imperial measurements like here in the states. Your build is looking good my friend. 😊

[@Jake-vt4ow]

Looks great! Huge progress. You’re going to have so much fun traveling in it. Best of luck😊

[@davidterrie7661]

I built out a van last year. Takes way more time than you imagine. You've got great tools.

[@gailmager4147]

Fun video, keep having fun. Suggestion to label the drawers on ur work table.

[@johntaylorphotos]

I reckon by the time you've done another 3-4 van conversions you'll really know what you are doing!

[@carlb401]

A few more tips. Always turn off the dust extraction when cutting metal, unless you have a dedicated extractor for metal. Re cutting the timber too short, don't measure the timber and take it away from the length required, put the 2 timbers for the top/ bottom together and then hold the tape measure on one side of the double timbers at the total height/length needed and read the measurement off the opposite side of the timbers for the required length. As for the clamps Axminster tools sell a wall mounted clamp rack, or you could make your own from ply.

[@timrosenburgh8597]

As i said before, measure and check twice then cut. Lol. I thought the door idea was a clever one, but it's not a secret anymore. Look forward to the next one.

[@elwick_photo]

This week, in Nigel loses things, Nigel... loses things but then finds them!! Glad I'm not the only one! 😂😂

[@michaelpoole8410]

I'm really enjoying your building project, but have I missed one? You mention cutting out the bulkhead in a previous video, but can only see two videos. No problem as I am assuming it is in the editing suite.

[@gordonelwell7084]

. . . "the whole tidy thing . . . all I do is move things from one place to another . . . " - That is SOOO me . . .

[@philiprugh3592]

As was mentioned earlier Nigel, plz lower table saw blade when not using. Accidents happen so fast and there is no going back afterward. Love your enthusiasm with all you do. It's catching 🙂

[@tjsinva]

Good luck! 😲

[@AndyBanner]

You build things rather like I do... and surfaces... Yeah. They're good for piling things onto. Great in fact. Why not make the sliding door full height? Esp with your back?

[@NigelDanson]

You will see in the next video....

[@johnforbes4795]

Very cool. My only concern is for support underneath the pass-through door. If someone climbs through from the passenger cabin to the back and inadvertinently places their hand on the bottom sill, what structure is supporting that weight down in the tripod storage area? We have a Mercedes Sprinter Van set up for dog shows/transport/cross-country cruising. We don't have a pass-through door, but occasionally will climb from the front to the back (but our van has two captain's chairs divided by a console/storage/refrigerator in the middle area).

[@doderiolarkisso4038]

>what can go wrong? famous last words

[@maxbembel2962]

C̶L̶A̶A̶A̶R̶K̶.... DAAANSON!!!! 😄

[@stevebanks484]

Believe me Nigel, you are not alone when it comes to measuring/cutting stuff, and discovering you’ve messed up somehow, especially when I have been used to imperial all my life, suddenly to be doing things in metric. The really confusing thing is - they use both in Australia 🙄🤪

[@mofotose]

Why not insulate the original sheet metal bulk head and cut a door in it?

[@johncameron6853]

Spot on mate.

[@tonysutton6559]

It's very heavy.

[@nirukshanselvendran8649]

Hi. Could you please explain what room lighting condition is for photo editing. Dark room or bright room. Does this really affect the photo editing and how to overcome.

[@mickcarr5031]

I thought I was a messy & dis-organised worker Nigel but........ 🙂 - great vid btw. cheers.

[@joelbarto1103]

You’re going to want to put vertical supports under the door. If not the weight of crawling through will eventually cause the mid horizontal to deflect

[@NigelDanson]

the plywood on the front will support that I think

[@christophermancrief4916]

Won’t removing the bulkhead affect the torsional right of the van? Just a thought.

[@brucehart706]

Great videos as usual. Boring question - does all your alterations, particularly the bulkhead removal, affect the vehicle insurance? Thanks

[@gordonelwell7084]

A grizzled old carpenter once taught me . . . measure twice, cut once.

[@tonysutton6559]

Or as my woodwork teacher would have said: make the top of the frame and use the inside of that to mark the exact length of the centre strut. No need for a tape measure then.

[@trevorsneath4665]

The ultimate van build video would be you and Thomas Heaton working on the same van. Murder comes to mind, but who lives and who dies. We could bet on it🙂

[@davidkipperman5218]

Is that wood frame you built following the rule of thirds??

[@markjarvis8759]

How come the door through to the cabin is only half height?

[@peteratkinson8957]

Hi Nigel, maybe your planning, measure and marking have been impacted by the residual effects from the anesthetic from your recent surgery. Some people take a long time to recover from this. Don't be too hard on yourself. Take care! 😊

[@dagmarescalona3098]

I think the divider must be made of aluminum frames, a metal structure that is rigid and very strong for in case of an accident or someone enters the van through the front part is strong enough and offer you some protection,I think you must have looked for a professional installation facility for convert your van,I would have done it like that before damaging such a good van

[@RH1812]

I am now interested in the phd

[@NigelDanson]

repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/thesis/Novel_techniques_for_the_control_of_the_properties_of_reactively-sputtered_thin_films/9410519

[@graemedarling2852]

lol filming and cutting bound to be a whoops... some people can, others pay those who can sometimes its cheaper to pay 😂

[@paulbarnard5267]

Pocket door means you can only insulate part of the wall. A lift out panel would have been better if it is for occasional use only.

[@NigelDanson]

yeah - I thought about that but there still will be an air gap and the foam ply and ply on the other side... think it will be ok

[@garybeat6637]

Could the construction of the NASA Space Shuttle taken this much thought and effort?

[@jbenjeep]

Did I miss a video? I have no recollection of the insulation video, or of you removing the bulkhead. I am loving this series though!

[@NigelDanson]

I haven't done an insulation video yet - it is coming..

[@MarcTerryPhotography]

I appreciate the Human Error in this video. You could have easily edited it out but it wouldn't have been realistic. Keep up the great work.

[@JohnPaul-ii]

The trick to not loosing your glasses Nigel, is too have more than one pair available. And it’s okay, we’ve all had that problem. 😂

[@tonygreenwoodN10]

Boring I know but there's an old saying - "A place for everything and everything in its place" - works a treat in a workshop...Still, as another saying goes - "All's well that ends well" - great videos thanks!!

[@JasonLorette]

Looking good so far....lower that table saw blade when using it as a table! Every time you put your head down there...yeesh, even if you just hit the blade with the top of your head, ouch!

[@guykerr8111]

It made me cringe too.

[@robertgrenader858]

Or better yet, use the workbench.

[@GiNodrog]

It's not a secret now ! Hehe.

[@whitehorseflyer]

At this point, is it safe to say that you don't have a 9 to 5 job? Because if you do and you still have time for this.....hats off

[@robertleeimages]

I bet you go to the shops and come home with everything except what you went for, your wife must be very patient when it comes to your faffing about 😂

[@erichstocker8358]

Don’t worry Nigel lots of PhDs can not do math😊

[@arrow8516]

These videos are more stressful than an England penalty shootout - at what point is Nigel going to realise he's cut a critical part too short!

[@Fotoe]

sometimes you remind me of Mr Bean. 🤣 But I do love this video

[@nbonham593]

I, too, have a physics degree and cannot do simple math for my life 😂

[@ProcrastinatorsAnon]

Having a phd is probably why the basic math thing isn't working out lol.

[@johnguz76]

Took out the metal bulkhead that is part of the safety of the rig in a rollover? Why…

[@kaido3471]

Better stick to photography 😂😂😂

[@martinfay7274]

This word "Secret", I don't think it means what you think it means. 🤔 😉

[@stevemeier7876]

PHD my god ....your PHD (Below) was not on simple math but complex math ...thats why u can't do simple math Novel techniques for the control of the properties of reactively-sputtered thin films

[@randyschwager84]

Sorry…I prefer photography!

[@maxmillion4216]

Stick to Photography Nigel.

[@FredericBonneauPhotography]

Stick to photography!