I missed the woodworking and being a maker. I'm a subscriber and I was seeing your channel through but it did bum me out that the channel changed so drastically. Glad to see you back.
@@lemarz8006 tbf most people who would live in a van out of necessity cant afford a van in the first case (3k minimum in bad condition) plus the conversion but if your homeless that aint that important a
Good job being flexible. One of the best pieces of marriage advice I ever received (which works great for life in general as well) is: "Everyone has a picture in their mind of what they think their life should be, but life never goes the way you plan. So you can either tear up your life to make it match the picture in your mind, or you can tear up the picture and enjoy your life as it happens."
I used to love your videos when you were in the camp, but now I think it’s gonna be even crazier with what you have for a workshop and you’re gonna have really cool projects to do looking forward
What you will realize AFTER you have been in your HOME is that when you drive the van even to the store is that you COULD just keep driving, you could go anywhere and be at home, survive, vacation etc. Then every turn is freedom and going back home is EXTRA Special and a CHOICE.
You know what? No shame in coming home. You two are young and did this at the right time. You tried, you succeeded for 8 months now you can take that off your bucket list and start your next adventure and we will follow your dreams. ❤
Regarding the air conditioning of your closet-studio, doors are cheap - you may consider storing the current door, and just making a hole in it as needed (exhaust fan up, maybe 2-3 silent PC fans next to each other pushing the hot air out, and an intake hole down?). When it's time to leave the apartment, just put the door back. In Canada, a few years back I bought a sound-proof door for like ~$150 from a shop specialized in doors. If storage space is an issue, just verify first that you can get a door - and once confirmed, just make a hole into the existing door. When it's time, get a new door.
We did a Skokie build in 2019 and hit the road for ‘at least a year’ in Feb 2020. We were 4 months in and realized a year wasn’t going to be enough. We are still in the skoolie and have completed 4 full years of #buslife. We plan to go back home (we have a little house and rented it while we traveled) in the spring (2025) for a total of 5 years. I got back into art after 20 years in the winter of 20/21. I think that did a lot to give my life purpose while traveling. I do art as my hobby and hope to make a go of selling my art soon. Having a hobby you can do on the road is important. But I don’t think I would have ever unlocked that again in myself had it not been for bus life. We (husband and I) have done a lot of soul searching, and thinking and realizing what is most important to us and what we can let go of in life. But now I am thinking longingly of a studio space I can work in and as much as I love traveling and seeing new places, it’s time to go home. I do plan to build another, smaller rig for shorter trips because the travel bug has bitten us hard and I can’t imagine not doing this regularly from now on. But you either have to have something to do on the road or you have to travel more to continue to feed the ‘see new things’ hole to feel like you are doing something. I find many people travel a lot faster than we do and burn out faster doing it. Travel is exhausting. Yes, it’s amazing, but it’s also super tiring. We try to stay in places for a week or more whenever we can so we can rest and recharge and enjoy a place. And it often still doesn’t feel like enough time. Full time travel is a tricky business, but it’s worth trying at least once.
I respect the heck out of this! Fulfilment is everything, so I am glad you both agreed to plant roots in Vancouver! Keep the creative juices going guys, loving the videos and can't wait for some BC content!
Don't be afraid of edge banding - you can make the edges buttery smooth by using a router to trim the excess and then giving it a quick swipe with a sheet of high grit sandpaper. Have fun!
Congrats on starting your next phase! Even if just printing PLA, you don't want to be in that tiny room while printing, unless you create some kind of serious ventilation system. But especially if using ASA or ABS for anything. I hope the channel grows quickly enough that by this time next year you can get a bigger place. I am assuming you will get used to the studio apartment by then and it may not feel so big anymore. I got very close to switching to van life a few times, but I have a feeling that I would not have liked needing to be constantly on the move. It's great you got to try it out as long as you did.
Can't wait to see the A/C under the door. I made a 'funnel' to remedy this same type of situation about 10 years ago out of cardboard and PC fans. It worked amazing.
I did the same thing with a window which could only be opened slightly (because we were on the ground floor in a dodgy area) to channel the heat from the portable AC to the outside. 3D printed a customized funnel that worked really well - and which coincidentally convinced my famliy that the 3D printer was more than just an expensive toy. 😅
FYI: heat pump is a game changer... super cheap to run, and keeps the space a really nice constant temp. They are spendy, but worth it... Suppose it's probably not an option in an apartment though...
I'm glad you're back to wood working. I have to be honest and say that once you started that van and stopped the wood projects, I left the channel. Then yesterday I saw the new side table projects and now I'm back. Look forward to more fun project.
Van life is fun because it gives you lots of freedom and it takes you wherever you want to go. I wish I was out there somewhere in the USA in a van, but I'm still considering the idea of becoming a Gypsy,Tinker, Nomad whatever you may call it. I'm saving for a cargo minivan which I will convert into my living space when I'm ready to retire in 10 years from now.
That hack space is a really cool idea! I wonder if my city would need one of those! I love your little apartment. It's perfect as a home base! It is great that you two were honest and wise about your future. Rock on!
All I can think of looking at vans cluttering up that beautiful beach is all the pollution from noise, litter, various petroleum products leaking out of the vans, etc... Were I a long-time resident of Baja who cared about preserving the natural beauty of the place I'd be absolutely furious.
Would suggest using a couple of transmission coolers(or radiators) and a room aircondtioner. Just plumb couple of flex pvc lines to feed the radiators with a water pump(and a small insulated water cooler acting as a reservoir). The remote radiator can be placed on a window sill or exhast vent to get the heat out. Could be a cool project in itself(esp. Identifying the right a/c with appropriate btu capacity and form factor). Could also do a split a/c, but may not be portable. Look forward to more fun projects.❤👍
van life to Van life! On a side note, I hope Vancouver Hack space is chill with the advertisement. I feel like it can be a bit disruptive if there’s a big sudden inflow of flaky members
not gonna lie I came here for the building projects and once the van-build videos stop I kinda also stopped watching. Glad to have you creating new things! (p.d i do know he was making stuff when traveling but cmon the videos were NOT the same, and the quality of the builds was hit or miss, cmon that bottle shower 3d printed thingy was OOF to watch, I think that's where i stopped).
The thing is yall can still do a month here and there whenever you want but there is no better way to relax than by going home and even though a van is nice "especially yours" its not as safe and your always a tiny bit on edge which never lets you fully let go.
What a whirlwind! I just found you guys a few days ago. Left Toronto, same here! Want to do some traveling via van, same again. Sucker for your pets, yes. Make stuff even when you have to improvise, yes! And now you changed directions, good for you! The videos gave me whiplash 😅
I didn't really here any good reason. You can do everything you named while not living in an apartment. I think people just want to live in bigger spaces.
This video hits feeling, i think the best solution is to "able to be flexible which change country where thing are affordable". Can have both stationary and van life once every month or anytime you want to hit road sounds ideal. Biggest problem would be money also , maybe bigger van help? Or a van that can increase in size. By the way, your video really comforting and Proud of the 8month journey !!! ❤Great job. If you can live in different country where thing are cheaper maybe it would suit both your lifestyle more ? The cost of living in some country are very affordable and more flexible probably. But i dont know how one can living in other country like by Visa stuff thing. Not sure if its gonna be complicate.
Best...Great you went for it, and used all your very handy skills for the van, and listening to what is right for you while keeping the van and getting shop access. I'm starting with a minivan with slow DIY but daily driver that fits in the garage, to see if I like the basics before considering a stand-up cargo van build for full time use and giving up the home (not too handy).
That is the longest honeymoon ever. I hope you Four (Penny ,Abby ) are very happy in the new place. Might I suggest your next vacation? You might like Tennesse water fall loop. Lots of hiking and some lovely spots to explore. Smokey Mountain is nice, and you might see a few black bears. My family and I still enjoy your videos. God bless you guys and your home.
Yaaaaaay!!! welcome to Vancouver,BC !! I am from just around surrey hoping to bump with you when u’re around the city or in surrey if ever you’ll get to visit 😅😅❤❤take care!!
I was worried that you were gonna sell the van, but I'm glad you decided to keep it! It's become somewhat of a character/mascot; not sure how to explain it.
Welcome to BC, Im on Van island. been watching you guys since you left Toronto. Love the content. Come say hi and we can 3D Print some stuff. I have the K1 Max and a Ender 3 V2 Neo lol great units. Our family of five are wanting to do the van life so so bad.