Oddly Satisfying Hacks for Tiny Spaces

[@kDub1129]

For the drawers you could use a magnetic toddler latch to keep them closed. A small magnet serves as a key to open the doors and the latch is hidden inside so there’s nothing visible on the outside. You can either leave them engaged all the time or switch the magnet on when you’re hitting the road.

[@collie147]

Was thinking exactly the same!

[@Eyes0fTheSC]

Was just about to comment the same thing! Great idea! :)

[@JollyRogerHobbies]

I second this. The magnet locks are tried and true for this type of camper/trailer cabinetry. Good luck 🍀

[@--Zeke--]

Just came down here to say the same thing!

[@JohnDeere-zt]

I fifth this I was gonna say the exact same thing

[@FixitFingers]

You should do one of these every few months... and Bamboo Printers should be paying you more as every single Van-Lifer is going to want one now. Just an epic tool to have along for this sort of thing! :D

[@Napkiner]

This is legit one of your best videos yet. I’m about 4 mins in and you’ve done like 4 videos worth of projects and custom solutions

[@zachlamarca6863]

Hey Morley, I know it’s way past this point and you guys are living in the apartment now, but my first thought for the drawers that I didn’t see recommended was a hinged lock “bar”. They use them on medical cabinets to lock them. It’s one vertical piece that holds one edge of the drawers shut. You can unlock it when you’re parked and leave it open (no dealing with multiple latches), build it cheaply: piece of Baltic birch plywood about 3”x30”, a piece of piano hinge, and a sort of locking mechanism. You could even do something where there’s a hole at the top and it’s a peg that secures it in from the top of the counter or like others mentioned something like a baby lock that holds the latch shut. With this design, you can lock and unlock all the drawers at once.

[@MorleyKert]

Good idea!

[@aussiemikeysaru]

For the shower hose, you've had it connected the wrong end. The end you connected to the faucet (the tapered connector) should be the side connecting to the shower head so it can fit in the holder correctly

[@daylen577]

Most RVs just use latches on drawers and cabinets, either ones you can leave open when you're parked for a period of time or ones that you can easily open when you need to access them. A latch per drawer/cabinet is more hardware, but also means that if you print them and one fails you can have a new one ready within a few minutes and it also reduces the severity of a failure to just one drawer/cabinet

[@YaNeK92]

The shoutout to your Mama at the end was super wholesome ❤ It's awesome you have a parent who supports your ventures! 💯

[@Refract3d]

For the smoke alarm, there are different types. (Ionization vs Photoelectric). The ionization type will pop off more frequently in a kitchen due to the aerosolized particles cooking creates even if it doesn't make smoke. Try getting a photoelectric type which will alarm you when there's smoke rather than particles in the air. Both will let you know if there's an actual fire. But try to avoid one that actually has both types, as it will pop off if either type is detected.

[@zklinski]

@Morly Kert in 7:20 the tube for the water faucet is backwards that's why it doesn't fit. In any case, keep up the great work, love watching your videos, and the way you approach things

[@williammaxwell1919]

I wasn't going to watch this video because I'm not into "van life", but glad I did. I like the short "problem /solution" vignettes ~ got some ideas to solve problems I didn't know I had

[@thenextlayer]

LOVE these types of videos man, keep them up! I'm only half way through the video, but I'm REALLY curious how much filament you brought with you, and where/how you're storing it? My filament collection would probably fill the entire van... Also, I bet you could design something to put the printer on some sort of vibration compensation, such as some legs, or even shock absorbers, which would improve print quality while driving. It would be a cool video, actually.

[@MorleyKert]

Thanks! I brought 3ish rolls of PETG and 2 rolls of PLA, just stored in the AMS or in plastic bags with desiccant. Easy to order more on the road and have it drop shipped to locations on the way!

[@YaNeK92]

Fancy seeing you here bud! Small world 😆🤙🏼

[@MmmmmmmmEarHair]

11:28 make a slot in the laptop holder for the charging cord. Charge it while on the road or not using so its always ready for you.

[@Charlie-m1y]

You could install a thin metal pole to go through the drawer handles to lock them in place

[@shneeblee180]

You could use child proof locks on the draws that will stop them from opening

[@chriswtburke]

baby drawer latches for the drawers.. should work perfect. they'll pop out 1" on the hard turn, but won't open unless you latch them yourself.

[@SimplySellers202]

It doesn't have to be perfect to start, but you have to start to make it perfect.

[@YaNeK92]

Great quote 💯

[@netposerx]

I have that exact fridge. It's about 6 years old now and it started rusting on the inside. It's coated metal and the moisture created rust and the coating peeled off in places. I cleaned it up and painted the problem areas. Fridge works like a champ.

[@MorleyKert]

Good to know, thanks!

[@6442353]

For drawers you can use marine/rv Push Button Latch Lock

[@mikededmon]

As for the cabinet drawers. It would be a more complicated build, but how about handles similar to some you see on filing cabinets. The handles have a side knob that disengages 2 latches on the inside of each drawer. So, it's always locked, but to open it you grab the handle, press the button and open the drawer. Then they latch every time you close them. Different handles, but maybe less ugly than external latches, etc.

[@marcelholle6763]

Love to follow your make-things-work lifestyle. 💜

[@MorleyKert]

Thank you so much!

[@Agreenlilly]

I used to have Ikea cabinets that opened from the bottom and I sat them on my head all the time too 😂 I had a roll of aluminum foil that I used to prop them open to put away dishes. What about a dowel along the bottom edge of the cabinet door, with a hinge on the right or left. When opening the cabinet you can fold out the dowel and place in a small recess in the cabinet body so it doesn’t slip.

[@wbeel]

Have a look at drawer locks for sailboats maybe? I believe there are locks that open the cabinet with a push.

[@netposerx]

You have the best idea about the van. Get it good enough for the road and use your experience on the road to figure out what works, what doesn't and what you need/want after being on the road.

[@MorleyKert]

💯

[@YaNeK92]

This one of my favourite van life videos ever produced so thank you for making it! Your style of delivering, articulation and camera angles are second to none and I can imagine would take an immense amount of work during and post production 😁👌🏼 I'd love to know how you're able to deal with the loud noise of the X1 Carbon as well as its fumes when printing? Have you implemented some sort of an air filtration system within the van itself to minimise the air pollution in such a small space? Thanks in advance, i appreciate your videos and the knowledge/files you share with us. 💯 P.S An idea to secure the drawers & cabinets would be to use a "button push" latch system which can be found on Amazon in a kit. All the best :)

[@iAkashPaul]

For the drawers ,the way airlines lock stuff in lockers with the twisting knobs across two drawers should be painless & 3D printable

[@adamdart6809]

you should get toggle latches for your upper cabinets with an extra hook you can even use it to hold them open

[@AaronTheGeek]

use a lock bar for the drawers, inset a groove in the underside of the countertop and put a lock on the bottom, this is how things are built for ships and RVs

[@artanisH847]

for the drawer you can use one of the children protection, i have these, and you put them inside. to open them, you can simply put the provided magnet on the place of the bracket and it opens

[@CarolHewett-ug2cw]

Great solutions. However, don't despair; one doesn't need to design and print custom devices. Low tech simple carpentry with a vast array of hardware to choose from will solve the problems too. And you are so right about those underutilized clamps.

[@daddouuuu]

latches will be your best friend for the drawers...sometimes you gotta give up a tiny lil bit of looks for good utility in a Van. There are 1 dollar latches at Home Depot that actually work very well (the ones with the 2 little "wheels" that catch a little piece of metal)

[@rachmuffins7]

Maybe strong magnets for the ceiling with your overhead cabinets? Just a thought. I'm glad you're having fun with it! I love build problem solving as well. We have a nearly 100 year old house, and there have been many fun challenging solutions to figure out! I also absolutely LOVE your laptop holder! I would definitely use one of thise. 🙌

[@HappyLooter]

I've been waiting for this video! Cool 3d printed solutions to unique van-life problems

[@griefman6550]

Not sure they're strong enough to hold closed, but what about push to open drawer slides? the kind that click closed and release when you push them in. Gets rid of the handles too, which adds 2 inches of space to the corridor.

[@ReallyGhey]

Loved this video! Real time solving of problems on the road. Keep them coming 🎉🎉

[@tricky0001979]

Sometimes you have to live with things to experience their flaws, glad you are somewhere warmer than Canada for winter, I agree with Eden a heater is a must. There are locks that caravans and boats use to lock drawers so maybe look online to see if you can use them to lock it whilst in transit. Short of shoving a metal bar down the handles and screw it to the floor and countertop. Stay safe and have fun.

[@abcdefghijklmnop514]

your shower hose is on the wrong way, why it won’t fit on the holder it comes witb

[@shanomac]

Great going Morley. Really love the iterative approach to the problem solving and your optimism through it all.

[@coolduder1001]

I would have made some sort of lock that goes in a cut out in the top left of the drawers. A little toggle switch that sits flush to the surface and goes inside the framing in the locked position.

[@robertalvarez5741]

Small struts for upper cabinets

[@Dollarwine]

Latches on the cupboards. Or could do sunken magnets

[@tylers4645]

Magnet for the drawers comon a ratchet strap 😂. And you need dowel pins to stop the fridge and washer from coming off the wall on their bearing slides as well, could even use a gate latch for a fence. You can 3D print one even. Don’t use stuff you need to take down all the time. You said it yourself you don’t need to take one tool or one item off just to use another. Ratchet strap is a tool you’re using to hold another tool. Make a custom holder that’s permanent spend some time designing. Make more iterations and versions of your designs don’t settle in the first one always you’ll get stuck designing stuff that might not work or might not be the best solution sometimes

[@GregTheJunior]

3d print and redesign Vertical toggle clamps for your drawers.

[@MrSkoobii666]

for the drawers, look at boat and r/v drawer hardware

[@m.waleed.h]

For the 3d printer to work during travelling, you could go to an over engineered solution of gimbling the whole printer with some shock absorbing like the way they do with cameras in film production, or a simple solution of using springs/neumatic actuators that absorb shocks and keep it level during driving.

[@jamesmckillican652]

For a cheap quick fix you can use a steel bar like ppl use for a rolling toolbox

[@TheNewBloodDan]

9:50 just get rotating paddle thingies screwed to each side of the panels the drawers are between and when you don't want them to move , have the paddles rotated to be on top of the drawers. The draws would be stopped by those paddles. Would be super easy and quick to print!

[@ThePrintHouse]

This is so great. I love this video. Back to the old style of video but still incorporating your new lifestyle. So good!!! :D

[@jimrosson6702]

Great video you just need to get cabinet draw locks and overhead cabinet cabinets locks for campers and RV will solve them problems

[@EliasJohansson-cc3td]

put strong magnets in the drours to stop them from sliding open

[@KevinPrice-d8f]

That's cool y'all went to St. George Island. I live and work out that way.

[@MorleyKert]

It’s beautiful!

[@AaronTheGeek]

and, one BIG thing, BOLT DOWN your Printer and other stuff that is big, use shock mounts where needed, but that is SUPER unsafe for you guys. If you don't wanna fabricate you can buy the stuff needed from an RV center. I love your videos, and maybe someday when I'm retired I will do the van thing around America/Canada to see it better. Good on you guys for going for it.

[@iris7332]

Safety 1st Press 'n Pivot Latches

[@ryandury]

A dowel / pole that fits into one 3D printed part that's attached to the toe-kick (and somehow swivels out when you need it) and the other end of the pole slips into a circular recess under the counter

[@katebattersby4691]

I want that custom mini-vac holster!!!

[@NicoSmets]

I love your little work corner.

[@Dekotale]

Maybe you could use multiple strong magnets for the doors? That would reduce the vibration and let you open and close them easily.

[@Nick-qz8do]

I think electromagnets would be better. Enable while driving and disable to open easier when stationary

[@lorenworthington8739]

Nice video. We have 20+ things I’ve designed and printed for our van and counting.

[@LordTheft]

Fun video! Can't wait for the next one.

[@massivekoala4878]

came to this guy's channel to learn about building. Finds out he's a fucking genius. Subscribed

[@AlessandroTischer]

The bambulab printer has a very advanced vibration compensation system which is intended to eliminate the vibration that the printer creates itself. I can bet the print quality is mainly impacted by the vibration compensation going crazy. I don't have a bambulab printer so I don't know, but if it's possible to disable the compensation system you may get better prints while driving!

[@rosserobertolli]

That sounds like the worst printer to take on the road. My printer has a solid enough frame in order to reduce vibration, I've had it printing in a car mutltiple times and even on the back of a bike (the last one did suffer a bit from vibration though, but still, on a bike)

[@jeremyspecce]

@@rosserobertolliisn’t he talking about the same printer you have??

[@iris7332]

Draws can use baby protection latches brand safety first.

[@spinyuk]

The laptop holder is inspired, something like that would be useful in my office, just as much as in my own van :)

[@thepinky9876]

use RV drawer slides.. they kinda lock when closed

[@elliott3142]

I would suggest that you use some invisible latch’s. Once’s that are activated by magnets or press to open. Love your videos !

[@cheesesilk]

Awesome guys ! Loved this update. Inspiring fixes

[@flux6472]

What about magnets on the roof to hold the cabinet doors up?

[@davesconfused12]

It's inspiring to see your progress. Do you plan to have release more detailed videos about your 3d modelling and product development?

[@MorleyKert]

Yes!

[@TheRealEstate]

So glad to see you guys!! Great solutions so far!!

[@TheExploringBiker]

If you do end up keeping the truck strap idea, then you need to print some corner protectors or the strap is going to wreck the edges of the worktop and bottom drawer.

[@Snip3r3]

Small CAbinet locks!!

[@seanharris8328]

Check out Ambitious Strike's truck camper solutions. They rigged up electro magnetic drawer locks that would energize on a switch or whenever the truck was in drive.

[@PicklesVTYT]

This video feel like its inspired by Van Neistat. Truly a spirited man

[@ElderSilverFox]

I'm only an hour from Asheville. Would totally be awesome to catch up and show you some cool local spots.

[@gamingwithbean7961]

would love to see a Collab video between you and Van Neistat one day, the two best creators on this site.

[@MorleyKert]

Wow, I am flattered!

[@suszi1982]

Wouldn't be a solution for the cabinet doors magnets? You can attach magnets to your doors and use it to hold in place whichever position you want (open or colsed).

[@daddouuuu]

also good job for doing all these fixes in just 10 days! I had a very hard time getting to these little fixes in my van while I was living in it. But I had a full time remote job...so that didn't help

[@jonass3252]

great video, love the editing style!

[@lolmandood]

Button locks for the drawers.

[@ineedtowin]

For the drawers can't you simply put locks on them. U can get office drawers where one key locks all drawers

[@dcltdw]

Woo, an update! Hope you'll make it to Boston this summer. :)

[@_dimitrisbr]

would drawers that you need to push them to open will work for that problem?

[@Lordofrimgs]

Next feature to add is "Do a barrel roll" mode 😂. Great video guys ...

[@ChadimKarel]

flip the shower hose and the other side will fit the holder just fine

[@mathegenie13]

thing for the shower doesn‘t fit because you put hose the wrong way round. love ur stuff

[@kathymarshall220]

Would toddler locks be strong enough to keep the drawers shut?

[@olgablonski7139]

Abby!! Miss you ❤. You guys are having so much fun. So for the drawers why can’t you do the same thing you did so the fridge wouldn’t slide out. Little glitches along the way, but fun for you Morley to figure it out.

[@simplyx8906]

You should get those magnetic window frames to cover them so people don’t see you have a couple thousand dollar laptop on the wall and so they don’t think your living in there, when you travel try not to let to many people see you live in it cuz the moment you leave your van for an hour or two desperate people will rob you, I’ve seen it too many times to van lifers and I just don’t want it to happen to you guys :) oh and the drawers in the kitchen you could always switch them to the magnetic latch system or the button lock system where you press a button and it slides out slightly.

[@qellman]

Would Baby Drawer Locks work for a better looking drawer solution?

[@fortvendel4223]

Hi! 1. Cool video! 2. This is an idea for the drawer problem: magnets that holds it there?

[@DennAgain]

at 9:52 i feel like a way better solution would be like a child lock basically like a fridge lock with a buckle that buckles into the sides

[@jeremyspecce]

You’ve got plenty of good solutions for the drawers but another option is to take a look at a large tool chest, their locking systems have a common rail that lowers and raises to engage all the drawers internally, it could be on the back or the side. It could also be a common vertical rod that rotates some kind of catch into a receiver of each drawer. Just spitballing.

[@gaffyh1745]

What about rotating cams to lock the drawers? Or check out child safety locks and replicate something similar

[@MyManRaptor]

Not sure if you’ll ever see this, but where in South Georgia were you? Peachtree City would be an interesting adventure for you guys.

[@WoLpH]

That fan shroud is blocking most of the air, I would suggest a more open variant.

[@danielandres3465]

Child proof magnetic inner door locks are worth looking into.

[@TheRealClutch1010]

Magnetic child locks for the drawers? Even non-magnetic ones, just the hooks you can push down to release. Both are hidden and easily opened.

[@Wendy-zl8kv]

Awesome solutions! 😊

[@MrCZRC]

You can put magnets on drawers so it stays closed

[@MorleyKert]

Not nearly strong enough!

[@MrCZRC]

@@MorleyKert how about push button locks from amazon edit: i just checked the one i found doesnt show with that search term..but here is product title OCGIG 5PCS Push Button Locks Cabinet Door Catch Lock for Caravan Motorhome Camper Van Latch Cupboard Pack of 10 £3.30 each

[@namanjain5581]

Drawers: get the push-click rails. 💯

[@jurematijevic9461]

Use magnets for cabinets