Wolf Island Diver
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
I originally wanted to create or buy at table top that attaches to the tailgate to give me more work space when camping, tailgating, fishing, etc. I wasn’t happy with any of the designs I came up with. All of them relied on support under the table. The solution is a slider system. However, I don’t like kitchen sliders because I would lose what remaining space I have in my bed and that it would only be good for one thing. I wanted a slider that was as flat as reasonably possible. I also didn’t want to spend huge amounts of money. Slider systems can get over $800-$1k easily.
One of my hard requirements was that I could still fit my TrailFire fire pit, stove and food boxes between the slider and the Diamondback cover. I can fit my 22” Cook Partner stove, 2 Wolfpack boxes (one with extended lid), and my TrailFire with the wok lid on this thing. Later, I decided to add a little utensil storage and sink.
To build it, I did some design work in Shapr3d. I used Chinesium sliders from Bezos-mart which work well and support 300lbs at full extension. It’s made from 1 1/2 sheets of 18mm baltic birch. I removed as much material from the inner frame to reduce weight.
I installed 8 M8 rivnuts in the bed and sealed them with RTV. They ride in between the ridges but they’re also flush as they imbedded themselves into the bed liner. The drawer is secured with stainless bolts.
The finish is home cut waxed button shellac to which I added Laropal A81 and Tinuvin 292 for additional durability. I applied this with a French polish technique and polished it with rottenstone. Finally applied several coats of paste wax. I’ll spare everyone my manifesto on why shellac is superior to almost everything and why the consumer coatings industry is mostly a big scam. The nice thing about shellac is that it’s easily repairable without stripping or sanding and its durability far exceeds its reputation. I’ve used it for years on workshop shelving and it’s held up perfectly.
I made an additional work surface from 3/4 UV stabilized HDPE to go over the sink when its drawer is out. The lid for the utility drawer lifts up on coffee table riders and provides and additional work surface, hooks for utensils and a paper towel roll. The position of the slide out allows the fridge to stay pulled out. All of this under the awning allows for a nice spot for cooking. I have a high camping chair that allows you to sit at the slide out like a table.
I wanted a non-skid cover to further protect surface, which I made out ofmy neighbors golden retriever palomino cowhide.
Here are some more images:
Despite taking up 4 1/4 inches of vertical space. I find that I this actually increases the utility of the bed for every day things like loading groceries, Costco runs and trips to the shooting range, etc.
The sink:
The sink is an expandable camping tub. For a faucet I used an rv-style electric switch faucet.
I modified a NATO water can cap to accept the hoses for a pump hose and electrical cord. These connect under the sink slider with an electrical and hose quick disconnect. Both sides of the hose connectors close off when disconnected. A second power connector at the back of the slider plugs into a cable in the bed.
The NATO water can can ride up out of the way with the hose running down the side of the slide out held in place with magnetic straps. These straps can also hold the propane hose for the stove. The pull bar at the end doubles as a di towel holder.
One of my hard requirements was that I could still fit my TrailFire fire pit, stove and food boxes between the slider and the Diamondback cover. I can fit my 22” Cook Partner stove, 2 Wolfpack boxes (one with extended lid), and my TrailFire with the wok lid on this thing. Later, I decided to add a little utensil storage and sink.
To build it, I did some design work in Shapr3d. I used Chinesium sliders from Bezos-mart which work well and support 300lbs at full extension. It’s made from 1 1/2 sheets of 18mm baltic birch. I removed as much material from the inner frame to reduce weight.
I installed 8 M8 rivnuts in the bed and sealed them with RTV. They ride in between the ridges but they’re also flush as they imbedded themselves into the bed liner. The drawer is secured with stainless bolts.
The finish is home cut waxed button shellac to which I added Laropal A81 and Tinuvin 292 for additional durability. I applied this with a French polish technique and polished it with rottenstone. Finally applied several coats of paste wax. I’ll spare everyone my manifesto on why shellac is superior to almost everything and why the consumer coatings industry is mostly a big scam. The nice thing about shellac is that it’s easily repairable without stripping or sanding and its durability far exceeds its reputation. I’ve used it for years on workshop shelving and it’s held up perfectly.
I made an additional work surface from 3/4 UV stabilized HDPE to go over the sink when its drawer is out. The lid for the utility drawer lifts up on coffee table riders and provides and additional work surface, hooks for utensils and a paper towel roll. The position of the slide out allows the fridge to stay pulled out. All of this under the awning allows for a nice spot for cooking. I have a high camping chair that allows you to sit at the slide out like a table.
I wanted a non-skid cover to further protect surface, which I made out of
Here are some more images:
Despite taking up 4 1/4 inches of vertical space. I find that I this actually increases the utility of the bed for every day things like loading groceries, Costco runs and trips to the shooting range, etc.
The sink:
The sink is an expandable camping tub. For a faucet I used an rv-style electric switch faucet.
I modified a NATO water can cap to accept the hoses for a pump hose and electrical cord. These connect under the sink slider with an electrical and hose quick disconnect. Both sides of the hose connectors close off when disconnected. A second power connector at the back of the slider plugs into a cable in the bed.
The NATO water can can ride up out of the way with the hose running down the side of the slide out held in place with magnetic straps. These straps can also hold the propane hose for the stove. The pull bar at the end doubles as a di towel holder.
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