Club 80-90 Forums

I'm going to be removing my interior kitchen units for some body work over the next few weeks, thinking about adapting them so they aren't permanently fixed when I put them back. Has anyone done similar and can recommend any fittings etc?

Rivnuts...




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I've been doing this in mine for several months. Mine are held in with studs and wing nuts to make removal quick and simple. You need battens as a substrate to fix to, but not overly complicated to do. My plan is to have interchangeable units depending on what I'm planning on doing. My interior doesn't use chipboard either (too bloomin heavy). Using coloured, weathered pine for a beach-hut feel.

Wing nuts do make removal straightforward.

Ikea adjustable feet into rivnuts (instead of wingnuts) work well - I've got them installed like that in my cooker unit.

Thanks for the input, like idea of attached units to batons, also glad to hear that it's not such a mission to do

No, no hassle really. Bear in mind I'm making units from scratch but even then, making mounting points is easy enough. You just need to decide where best to put them. Very pleased with my main cupboard. Its come out the way I planned plus lots of secret store places. Normally with most interiors quite a bit of space gets wasted, they weigh a ton or else they're a nightmare to remove. I'm doing it very slowly so I get everything absolutely right.

The advantage with a quick removal setup is if you need to do any bodywork in the future its less of a sweat. I still haven't sussed out what the worktops will be made of yet.....

The other thing you may have to consider (which I've also sussed) is if there are any fixed gas pipes, that they can be uncoupled easily too. I've used quick-connectors. You may also need to add additional strengthening to your units so they remain sturdy when detached.

I plan to reuse my units but I'm going to replace some chipboard, will need to add some adapters to the gas pipework as I'd like to keep the setup intact

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x8mm-Gas-Hos ... SwsB9V-nJP" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

These are excellent and great value but ofcourse you'll need at least a short section of rubber hose to use them. I find them really handy all round as it means you can have one line near sliding door to connect stove or other gas item outside when the need arises and would work well with removable units. My main unit, where I do all the cooking, is all copper pipe, carefully clipped beneath the worktop, as are the taps - out of sight. However, where it exits the unit, I've got a quick connector. Easy peasy.

Just a bit of planning/plotting really but once done its a breeze to disconnect gas and pull the cupboard out, either to give it a proper clean or so you can use the camper to transport larger items. Adopting this modular approach means you can make all sorts of units that bolt in and out according to need. I'm a big fan of this way of building an interior rather than being lumbered with fixed units built by someone else that you're having to cart around when you may not have a need for them. Personally, all I need in the Winter is just a portable stove for the odd cuppa. By the same reasoning I resisted fitting a fridge and went for a portable 3-way cool box which worked out more practical. For a two day jaunt, it doesn't even need connecting to gas - a frozen 2-litre bottle of water in the bottom keeps everything VERY cold.

I don't use 240v at all, relying on solar and low-consumption items so I can camp anywhere and be self-sufficient. The other big plus of modular is its easy to make changes to an existing unit outside rather than being bent double in the camper.

Great input and lots of food for thought there, really like those connectors, they're just the job for this project

CovKid wrote:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4x8mm-Gas-Hos ... SwsB9V-nJP

These are excellent and great value but ofcourse you'll need at least a short section of rubber hose to use them. I find them really handy all round as it means you can have one line near sliding door to connect stove or other gas item outside when the need arises and would work well with removable units. My main unit, where I do all the cooking, is all copper pipe, carefully clipped beneath the worktop, as are the taps - out of sight. However, where it exits the unit, I've got a quick connector. Easy peasy.

Just a bit of planning/plotting really but once done its a breeze to disconnect gas and pull the cupboard out, either to give it a proper clean or so you can use the camper to transport larger items. Adopting this modular approach means you can make all sorts of units that bolt in and out according to need. I'm a big fan of this way of building an interior rather than being lumbered with fixed units built by someone else that you're having to cart around when you may not have a need for them. Personally, all I need in the Winter is just a portable stove for the odd cuppa. By the same reasoning I resisted fitting a fridge and went for a portable 3-way cool box which worked out more practical. For a two day jaunt, it doesn't even need connecting to gas - a frozen 2-litre bottle of water in the bottom keeps everything VERY cold.

I don't use 240v at all, relying on solar and low-consumption items so I can camp anywhere and be self-sufficient. The other big plus of modular is its easy to make changes to an existing unit outside rather than being bent double in the camper.

Interesting stuff. Any chance we can see some pictures?

Not until I've finished it which will be next Spring I expect but heres some idea of the finish I went for. Planed pine, reworked with brass brush on a drill to bring out the grain on face edges, battered a little, then painted with pale blue shed paint then sanded back. Coat of matt varnish to seal. You just make frames then infill accordingly:



Will post full pictorial including dimensions (for a RHD T25) once its all done. Well, for those that like it.

I knocked up a removable unit from an Ikea kitchen trolley, http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/30240348/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

cheap as chips, lined the sides with aluminium composite and lightweight ply for the door and front, I had to narrow it a bit as it was a bit too wide but no real effort, fitted some castors on the bottom from an old office chair, bolted it to the framework and remove it for cooking outside, normally lives in the awning when camping so plenty of space inside. The old hob by the way fits spot on if you cut out the hole for it to sit in as the two sides sit on top of the timber cross members, you then use the cut out to create a little flip up workspace.

NicBeeee wrote:I knocked up a removable unit from an Ikea kitchen trolley, http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/30240348/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

cheap as chips, lined the sides with aluminium composite and lightweight ply for the door and front, I had to narrow it a bit as it was a bit too wide but no real effort, fitted some castors on the bottom from an old office chair, bolted it to the framework and remove it for cooking outside, normally lives in the awning when camping so plenty of space inside. The old hob by the way fits spot on if you cut out the hole for it to sit in as the two sides sit on top of the timber cross members, you then use the cut out to create a little flip up workspace.

Nice setup
I'm now working on a removable unit in the same area on my van which will mean I don't have to carry the whole kitchen, cooker and fridge around all winter...

Look up 'chuck boxes' on youtube. I've got one I use sometimes.

This is a well made one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oDObTqOHaY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The crucial advice is KNOW what you actually need (and that comes from lots of hard experience) and build around it, plus use every bit of space you can.

Just a heads up. Removeable units can often be best served by using mini bolt latches. If you're quick, ALDI have a few of these (£1.49 for two) in amongst the hinges in the DIY section. Picked up six today. Bolts and retainers are good, but if you can use bolt latches, removal is even faster, if not simpler.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/2-piece-latch-se ... 6071381006" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;