Van Build: Building a Compact Kitchen Unit from Scratch! | Mercedes Sprinter Conversion

[@nrgyflash]

Guys your fast becoming one of mine and my partners favourite life project you tubers! Andy mate you absolutely have me in stitches 😂 you're like a modern day Frank Spencer let loose on a van build.....ooooo Sophie! Lol Stay genuine guys don't ever change no matter how many followers you get. Your innocence and honesty will go along away 👍

[@lifeadventureprojects]

❤️🙌🏻 thanks guys, it is comments like this that truly inspire to keep creating videos! Really do appreciate it. Frank Spencer - haha I’ll take it! 😂😂

[@daviddring8692]

To say what you new when you started your van build (which was very little it appeared.,sorry) To what you have both achieved now. Is remarkable. Well done both of you. You certainly have a lot more knowledge & skills than you had prior. 👏👏👏

[@lifeadventureprojects]

❤️❤️

[@blackninja3092]

Hey guys? Don’t listen to the negative comments, I’ve been watching your build from the start and fair play to you both giving it ago? Your both doing really well considering you both haven’t done a van self build before, I have a lwb vw crafter 65 plate and I had no knowledge building a self build either, you learn from your own mistakes and will get there in the end? I did snd you both will too, your channel is definitely the best van self build channel on KZbin because you don’t hide nothing and your both your selves no acting or up yourself, keep up the amazing work guys and I have to say in the greatest respect your mrs is absolutely beautiful your a very very lucky man, all the best joe and benny boy x

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks for the lovely comment, it honestly makes putting these videos up all worth it. And yes she is a beaut. Always grateful 👏🏻❤️ Hope you have been enjoying the fruits of your labour!

[@blackninja3092]

Just absolutely love your channel your such a great bloke who doesn’t mince his words your straight down the line no acting your you which is refreshing to see, glad you didn’t take offence regarding your good woman I truly meant in the highest respect going, keep up the good work

[@richpeas1924]

Missed this notification 🤔 but anyhoo, good to see you back guys. You know those clear stackable boxes, well they would have been my cupboards, painted in the distressed green look, hats off to you for persevering 🛠 The walk away & leaning on the van for a breather before the hammer was possibly wielded to end your suffering, we've all been there 😁 I hope you paid your "bleep" man overtime 😂 & the use of the Uno cards for spacers was the pièce de résistance 👌

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Haha thanks Rich, your comments always give us a laugh! Probably would have been better off just playing Uno to be honest 😂

[@roberthunter6927]

Glad to see you back. Last I saw was that you had gone on a trip. Great determination guys. And it's all looking great.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Rob!! ❤️👏🏻

[@mrt4003]

It may well have been an absolute nightmare but just look at the end result. Looks fantastic and you can both be proud that you built it yourselves.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks so much for the positive comment, these sorts of messages always go down a treat! ❤️❤️ We are certainly feeling quite proud, we are back on it tomorrow - the end is near!

[@mrt4003]

@@lifeadventureprojects unfortunately you never reach the end. There is always another job to do 🤣

[@mramsey123]

Hello I've had my sprinter now for 2 month and I'm so glad I didn't do all the my self in it as I must say I really appreciate the hard work that really goes into it and hats off to you for taking on the challenge 🙌 keep up the amazing work

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thank you! Appreciate you watching 🤛🏻

[@nigelwatts3091]

Quality job guys you both should be proud of yourselves

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Nigel! 🙌🏻

[@welshieonwheels]

love watching you guys ,you show it warts and all many won't, so we don't get the true picture ,so please don't beat your selves up . Always remember a trades person does a 5year apprenticeship ( well I did cause I'm extremely old) they also have years of experience to DRAW on 😀 you are doing your apprenticeships , on the job by your selves . I like Mel ,but he doesn't do draws on rails and he has the very destressed look in his van which is great . My wife said id have smashed everything in my temper , and she's already warned me of such cause I'm about to redo my van. so well done both and Good luck👍👍👍

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Heyyy 👋🏼 thanks a million for watching and taking the time to comment, it means so much to us! Yeah you’re exactly right, if it’s something totally new we can’t expect to be experts overnight! We’re muddling through and slowly making progress! Good luck on the van redo! Hopefully nothin will get too destroyed 😂 hope you and your wife are keeping well!

[@ourworldonwheels]

I think If I had to do that walk back and fourth constantly I’d have made a hole in the hedge maybe by day 2!lol looking good guys! 😊👍🏼

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Haha what a fantastic idea! 😂

[@stephenrobbins9901]

Very nice kitchen, looks professionally done😊😊😊

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Stephen, we made it in the end! Thanks for watching and your comment, we really appreciate it 😊

[@nwc100]

Thise drawers are top drawer! I only built two in our van, the only thing i measured twice in the whole build (it shows) and i had to fill the rails with ply beacuse they where too small! They are just a royal pain, but great for sticking at it, and like you with no real prior experience its just cracking on, watching some more YT and trying to figure it out, keep at it! We are off in our first big trip soon, Lake District and Isle of Skye, wish us luck 😂😂

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hahaha 😁 honestly it does really help to hear other people’s aren’t quite perfect too 😂 they were a masssive pain but hopefully that’s one of the more difficult parts over (I feel like I’m speaking too soon here 😬) Ahhh have the BEST time!! That’s so exciting - the Lake District will be awesome - never been to the Isle of Skye so would be interested to know how it is for van life. Enjoy and have an awesome trip!

[@mymateryan.]

Stick with it great work ,big adventures ahead.🎉

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks so much! 🙌🏻

[@coeniejvr]

Was happy to see you again, Watching from South Africa. Buying my van next year to start van life. Cheers mate

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey, thanks for coming back! Hope the van goes well, what an adventure that would be in SA!

[@hammockinparadise]

Give yourselves credit for the steep learning curve and the amount of work it is to build something from hand. It looks great!

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks so much, these kinds of comments genuinely help motivate us. 👏🏻🙌🏻

[@chrisbrown7643]

Nice job on the kitchen you did good job in the end pat yourselves on your backs.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Chris!! 🤛🏻

[@richardvaneijken2436]

Love to watch howe you are building your campervan keep at it.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Richard, really appreciate you watching. ❤️

[@jonfenwick6200]

Looks amazing. Fine job Andy lad. I have been in that exact situation before, even with all my experience and skill now, I once fit (tried) a drawer I made, to a carcass I made, and it wasn't straight/square......actual nightmare! I did the whole, fitting pieces of timber behind and in front of the runners, trimming the drawer ... the lot. In the end, I fit a new side piece, and effectively made the space a bit smaller, but was able to make sure it was the same distance from the other side, I had to re size the drawer too, but was far less stressful than trying to figure out this hell 😂. Glad you sorted it though, really like the rattan and distressed look. Nice little happy accident there. Cutting the rebate for the runners on the drawer sides; table saw... you looked like you was going to do it, but you made the 2 lines and routered it. But you can just use that table saw too keep making lines and it'll either take out the stock, or you can just clean it out with a chisel after you have made those cut lines . You can also get blades for table saws that are thicker (,however, maybe not for all saws). Looking forward to watching you guys again. Peace and love yo ❤

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Jon, alright mate! Great to hear from you. You are right I should have kept cutting, that actually makes sense now. Thanks for the tip, honestly I need them! 😂 I think next time I would approach the whole thing differently, which I guess is a good thing… clearly I learned something! 😂 Thanks again bud, really appreciate your support and kind words. 👏🏻🤛🏻

[@karlrothwell382]

Loving the videos guys nothing like learning as you go , I literally found your channel a couple of days ago and have binge watched everything

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Karl! We love it when someone does a binge watch! New video going up on Sunday morning at 9am! 🙌🏻

[@RollingNomad-tkr89]

As Pete Tong as you might think things have gone, you’ve put yourself out there and done it. Bit by bit you’ll get it done. You’ve got this 👍

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks so much, the supportive comments really do go a long way to helping with the motivation (which clearly was lacking before 😂). It’s getting there slowly but surely!

[@tdexteriorcleaningcompanyl9653]

Another good video. I would have had a meltdown making them drawers 😂

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Haha yeah we basically did to be honest 😂 all good though, got there in the end! Thanks for giving us a watch and leaving a comment, we really appreciate it! Hope you’re doing well! 😊

[@leecurry14]

Lovely to see you both back, sorry I've just watched it and missed it this morning, been a busy day and went out for the afternoon in our van, you have made a great job on the kitchen, give yourselves some credit, we aren't all carpenter's so it's not easy 👍👍 see you soon and go steady and try to enjoy the progress your making 🤞👌

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Cheers Lee! Hope you had a good day out, the weather is super unreliable at the moment! We went out in the van yesterday and ended up in some weird rain storm, couldn’t see a thing in front of us!! Thanks for the motivation, certainly needed! ❤️🙌

[@terrypagett314]

Just the top ones to do bro. And the rest will fly in .eep up the great. Work. Nice to see you both ❤

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks mate, I think we are on the up now. Started on the electric board today, feeling confident we can move much quicker! Really appreciate you watching. 🤛🏻

[@terrypagett314]

@@lifeadventureprojects it’s a pleasure . Hope you’re keeping the handbrake off. Or moving it every few days 👍👍

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Doing a bit of both 🤞🏼

[@terrypagett314]

@@lifeadventureprojects good man. We can’t wait to see you both on your. Adventures just follow your dreams life is so short. Take care hope to see you both on next vlog ❤️

[@lisac0927]

Hellooooooo, to my 2 favourite people 😊 Tantrums Andy, Lee would give you a run for your money 😂 We were both watching you (eating peanut M & M's) and literally saying how drawers are a pain in the ass

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Lisa, our 2 favourite subscribers! 😂 Sounds like your van is coming along nicely, we are planning an evening out soon. Problem is we are trying to move house and convert a van, money pits!! Need to get a mattress and think we can sleep in ours no problem. Saying that we found a small leak in the roof light yesterday 😭 Need some sunny weather so can fix some bits. Thanks for the kind words and speak soon! ❤️❤️

[@danielcrowhurst2688]

To cut out the bit for the runners without using a router you could just make a load of passes on your table saw. Moving the guide bit by bit.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks bud, yeah great advice that. Would have saved a lot more time that! Haha Thanks for watching, we appreciate you. 🤛🏻

[@johnroy2674]

Your doing a great job guys keep up the great work

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks mate! 🤛🏻

[@geraldgooding7430]

Well done for sticking at it must be so difficult for you as you say it's your first attempt to build a van and you making a nice job of it, good luck with your house sell.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks Gerald, certainly been a learning curve! I think we will get there though.

[@glenbolton]

Sophie, it takes a strong woman to build an amazing kitchen only to let Andy take most of the credit 😉

[@lifeadventureprojects]

haha 😂 Sophie would have done a better job I think 😂

[@johnshaw4140]

Brilliant work you two , don't worry about tantrums Andy , happens to the best of us . Those cabinets look really cool , I would have chickened out by now and just bought some old brown furniture from a charity shop and cut it down to fit , so well done you , keep up the good work , you'll have a fabulous camper once you've finished , Meouw meouw ❤

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Cheers John! Them cabinets were certainly testing, feeling confident that the worst of it is now behind us - famous last words 😂 Bring on the travels!! 👏🏻🙌🏻

[@carlfraz1869]

OMG!! Painful viewing as I would be exactly the same but I’m not brave enough to give it a go. So hats off to the pair of you for giving it a go. You know what, once it’s done I reckon you’ll pull it off!! Not the handles or cupboard fronts but a successful van build!! Keep persevering with it, you’ll get there soon!! 👍🏻😉

[@lifeadventureprojects]

😂😂 I think them handles or drawers fronts may come off! Thanks so much for the vote of confidence, comments like this really makes doing these videos worth it. ❤️❤️

[@markelgar8763]

Well done Team Ray. Sometimes things just seem to be complicated, endless and not going to plan. But there is always a way. The result looks fab and you should be very pleased with how it turned out. Keep going Team, you're getting there! xx

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks you! ❤️❤️ We shall get there, hopefully in less than 5 years but we shall do it! 😂

[@markelgar8763]

@@lifeadventureprojects Haha, not 5 years. Before long you'll be on your first trip xx

[@benrs25]

Love watching you guys 👍 even tho you struggle with the jobs you do it's great content and the pair of you should be very proud in what you have created keep up the great work

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thank you! 👏🏻🙌🏻 Van build no.2 will be much easier, but there will be no van build no. 2 😂

[@marksingleton5176]

Hey guys. Great to see you back, congratulations on the house, A great video, roll on the next one, take care 🎉🎉🎉

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Mark! Nice to see you again 😊thanks so much, we’re really excited for the move! Thanks for tuning in and for taking the time to comment - we hope you’re doing really well and having a great weekend 💛

[@nforri]

Fair play for sticking at it! Looks great

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thanks bud, love that you watch and comment ❤️👏🏻

[@deano111]

you don't need to recess the drawers just make the drawer with one inch smaller than the opening and then fit the rails on the side 👍👍

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Good tip! I will use it when I rip this one out and replace it after it’s collapse! 😂

[@sokbattery]

GREAT JOB!!!

[@lifeadventureprojects]

🙌🏻👏🏻

[@colinwatson9747]

Great to see you guys back doing the videos again!

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Cheers Colin, thanks for sticking with us! ❤️👏🏻

[@Hope-bn9xz]

Hi 👋 I was missing you guys 😊 Another great video ,like how you kept it so real with the ups and downs. It just shows whatever happens don't give up , you will see the fruits of your efforts soon 👍 Love the kitchen colour cabinets. 😍

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Hope, glad to see you still with us! ❤️ Really pleased with house it is shaping up now, very much a money pit though! Haha

[@NomaddUK]

I am at the same stage as you guys and it's dragging on. Self build is best I found. You'll get there. I'm doing mine with a really painful back so at least you've not got that to slow you down. Keep going you gorgeous people. X

[@lifeadventureprojects]

I think it’s normal for big projects like this to reach a point where it really drags. The initial excitement keeps you going for a while but then it gets to a point where it still feels like the end result is way off - we’ll both get there though, just got to keep pushing on! Best of luck with yours - keep pushing through and let us know how you get on 😊 and thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@garykirkham2972]

Hello you two. Been subscribed for awhile now. Can't wait for the 'van tour' once its completed. Have you got a idea on where your first adventure will be whens its done. Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing 👍

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Gary 👋🏼 so glad to know you’ve been around here for a while, we really appreciate it. Yeah so we are really keen to go to somewhere in Europe when we get it finished, we’ll probably just start relatively easy and go round some areas in France, and I would love to go round Greece too! We’ll definitely share when we do eventually. Thanks so much for tuning in and leaving us a comment 💛

[@mentalneil]

Slowly slowly catchy monkey, Andy don't beat yourself up, remember every mistake is a learning curve, the kitchen is looking great

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Cheers Neil, really appreciate the vote of confidence. Feeling a bit better now that part is out the way. Onwards and upwards! Or into despair 😂

[@johnmurray1837]

Hi guys i felt your pain and frustration . But i realy enjoyed this video 😂 LIfe adventurers Rock❤. 😂

[@lifeadventureprojects]

🤘hahaha thanks John honestly it means more a lot to keep us motivated 😂 glad you enjoyed it - we really appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment! Hopefully the next one won’t be quite so painful 😬

[@kbro6625]

It can get very warm in the van, our first overnight was in June 2019, one of the hottest days of the year, we were not prepared for the heat when we closed the door on the van to go sleep - it was being in 'ze cooler'. We had the wrong fabric for bedding, no fans and a cockapoo that wanted to sleep with us due to the lack of space. Another brilliant episode, can't wait for the next one. P.s your affiliate link to the CT-1 goes to the leather handles.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thank you! Will update the link. We had a pretty muggy period recently which didn’t help the heat of the van. Luckily we do have air con in the van if it were to ever get bad!

[@artzi_ip]

a bit late to say this now, but those sliding drawers are always pain in the ass to make. i have found the best way to make own custom drawers, is to use rails which come with ready metal sides, so in those you only have to make bottom and the end pieces, and the rails have holders for all those panels, so you can just customize the width and depth and screw pieces of plywood or any other material of choice in to place. but still happy to see that you were able to fight trough the most painful part of the building 😄big thumbs up

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Great advice! Certainly a tough part of the build, I think second time round would be easier - it is that first step which is tough! Thanks for watching 🤛🏻

[@HaughtAir]

we just started watching you guys and have gone back and watched the whole playlist. love all of it! andy's short fuse is similar to mine so i especially appreciate that. keep up the amazing work!

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hi there 👋🏼 aww that’s so nice to hear! Honestly means so much that you’re enjoying them, thanks so much! Haha yeah it definitely can be which makes fiddly things more difficult 🤣 but getting there slowly but surely. Thanks again for watching and commenting, hope you’re keeping well! 🙌🏻💛

[@shawing]

Great work you guys the unit looks lovely! Those draws defo look like a pain to sort but you got there in the end, so don't be so hard on ya selves 😉 I got a unit for fitting in my Bongo recently, so I'll have a bit of mild customisation and building on that myself, and your vids always help motivate on just keep chipping away at it and you get there, so thanks 😊 Keep on keeping on!

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Heyy 👋🏼 thank you so much, they turned out (just about) alright!! Ah yeah you’ll be alright with that, although I do sometimes wonder if trying to customise something is even harder (probably not 😂)! Glad to hear we can help to motivate, it’s a little bit of fun either way and we really appreciate the support from you watching and leaving a comment, means a lot 😊 hope you’re well and having a stellar weekend 🌟

[@WagnerGimenes]

Let's just say this has been an "entertaining" video, shall we? 🤣 Good to see you guys back. Still surprised you don't yet have 50K followers. Good luck with the sale of the house.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Wagner! Glad to see you are still here. 50k - that’s the dream. 😂

[@carlmoulton5348]

Just a quick comment because i know it helps the channel, draws look great so well done for persevering with them. Quick question, why would you not build it on the drive next to the garage?

[@lifeadventureprojects]

It is just an issue with where we live, the van is to long to go on the drive and not block other cars getting out! Bit of a faff really!

[@andyjrichie6709]

Your doing really well. Could you not put the van near the garage

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Andy thanks so much for watching! We would love to put the van nearer the garage 😂 it’s actually one of the main reasons we’re moving - it’s currently parked on the road near our house as we don’t have enough room on the drive! Soon to be resolved though 😀

[@andyjrichie6709]

@@lifeadventureprojects waiting patiently for next episode, good luck with the house move, hope everything goes well, would give you a lift, but I, am about 30 miles outside Manchester 😂

[@JJ_2806]

Great work guys I think you have done a fantastic job, I admire your resilience and determination. What materials have you used for the kitchen, plywood thickness etc

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Thank you that really means a lot 😊 for the main cupboards we used 12mm plywood, the back was 5mm if I remember corrrctly! Doors were also 12mm :)!

[@foxystravels]

Aww well done guys. Believe me, we feel your pain lol. Lovely colour for the units. It's quite similar to what we chose. What are you using for a work top ?

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey! Ah yeah we've been keeping up to date with your build and we've definitely both gone for a similar colour, it looks great in yours too! Haha glad we're not the only ones it's somewhat painful for, it'll be worth it though! We've ordered a wooden worktop (should be arriving tomorrow!), kind of a natural oak colour! What are you going for?

[@foxystravels]

@@lifeadventureprojects We just stripped the top that was on the sideboard, and waxed it. It looks really good. Well we think so anyway lol It's hard wood too, so it was really hard to cut the sink out :(

[@mrlangdon2379]

Hi guys, you could have saved yourself all that stress and a bunch of time if you’d bought a cabinet already made from Facebook marketplace and adapted it to suit. I’ll be honest I certainly wouldn’t have invested so much time making drawers but hey, each to his own I guess. Look forward to your next video guys, Steve

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Steve, we looked at doing that but to be honest most units looked pretty awful, made of cheap chip board wood or very flimsy. On the plus side I have learned some new skills 😂

[@liamwright1949]

Can is ask Andys height? I’m trying to work out if I need flares for my Mercedes mwb 😊

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Liam, I am 5 11. I can fit across okay but any taller and would be uncomfortable.

[@davidngoma6701]

Where are you guys from?

[@lifeadventureprojects]

South east, UK

[@Rob.1340]

👍😎

[@lifeadventureprojects]

😎😎thanks for tuning in Rob 😁

[@Abhitips224]

Y’all should have built the whole thing in the garage and then installed the unit in the van.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Haha yeah we did say that and it might have been a good idea, but hey ho we made it work and managed to make use of as much space as possible!

[@drewhodge3820]

Building custom sized units from scratch is a long job but the reward is you get exactly what you want. Otherwise you end up trying to adapt a piece of furniture that never does the job you want and every time you look at it you regret not making a proper unit at the start.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

So true Drew, that was our logic also. We did look at using ready made furniture and building it outside the van, but I wanted to build something which followed the contours of the van and worked for us. We are real amateurs so this option was certainly very tough, but pleased it paid off and is now finished! Thanks so much for watching 👏🏻🤛🏻

[@dennisboosey6272]

Or you could have used wet and dry sandpaper.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

You’re not wrong 😂😂

[@thomasmargis9808]

No sounddeadning in the roof?? Sounds pretty aweful...

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hi 👋🏼 yep we put some sound deadening on the roof!

[@Dickie2702]

If this was uploaded tongue in cheek then fine but there is another way. I guess in six weeks you earn quite alot of money so why not just pay somebody to do this for you. With basic meausements, height width depth this would take me (a professional wood butcher) less than two days to make and it would be straight, square, fit for purpose and stand the test of time. Or just spend a day on youtube watching people build cabinets with doors and drawers and then just try to follow along. But I assume you did it your way for peoples entertainment. I'll admit I watched it all but it was excrutiating. I'll tell you right now removing the middle of your doors will come back to haunt you, they will soon rack.

[@lifeadventureprojects]

Hey Dickie. I wish it was tongue in cheek, sadly I really am just that crap at this 😂 Not a carpenter by trade, in fact never done this before so have had to learn it. Any recommendations on salvaging the doors? Maybe some thin ply behind the rattan?

[@Dickie2702]

@lifeadventureprojects The door, as is, has no structural integrity just remake it. There are a ton of videos on KZbin that will guide you through making a Shaker door. Everybody will do it slightly differently, so..........best to look at a few videos and you will start to see things that are common to them all. Aim to measure accurately, draw a simple diagram with the components and their measurements and keep checking everything is square. That's assuming the cabinet is square.😃😃😃

[@andrewkedian7244]

love your videos keep up good work

[@lifeadventureprojects]

🙌🏻