DIY Framing | Pocket Holes & Furring Strips (Wall Frame) | Transit Van Conversion Series [10]
Channel: Kendallvision
Date: 2024-04-08

During this project, I got to use a Kreg Pocket Hole Jig for the first time.  I was excited by how easy it was to use, and how simple it made my project.

However, there were still some parts of building my wall frame that were frustrating and difficult.  For example, lining up my long furring strips with the plusnuts I previously installed proved to be tedious, and not perfect.  

After posting my last video, I learned about a couple of different ways to determine where to drill the pilot holes.  Some people use grease or even playdough between the wood and the plusnut to leave an exact impression of where the holes will go.  

I also learned (from you!) that punching a tiny indention in the wood where you want to drill will help keep the drill bit from wandering.

Maybe if I had known about some of these things, my project would have gone more easily.

The other issue I ran into was the sheer difficulty of drilling pilot holes into the van's metal.  The metal seems to be thicker in some areas than others, and drill bits wear down quickly.  I learned to keep my drill battery fully charged, and to have plenty of new drill bits on hand for when one gets dull or snaps off completely.

But I finished the project and am happy with the results!  It's not perfect - but it's mine!

So follow along as I self-build my own unique camper van inside a 2015 Ford Transit 350 High Roof Extended Cargo Van -- with no experience. ...and when I say "no experience," I mean ZERO EXPERIENCE!  I have never done anything like this before, so I am learning as I go.  I will make some mistakes, but that's okay.

Previous video link where I talk about my method for attaching furring strips to the plusnuts:
https://youtu.be/X8hwT26woZs

Tools/Materials I used (no affiliate links):

Kreg Pocket Hole Jig - 
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Kreg-Pocket-Hole-Jig-KPHJ320/310410050

Pocket Hole Screws, 1", for SOFT wood - 
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Kreg-1-in-Internal-Square-Coarse-Zinc-Plated-Steel-Square-Head-Square-Pocket-Hole-Screws-100-Pack-SPS-C1-100/100566495

Ryobi Circular Saw (for cutting down the furring strips) - link is for saw only, not the battery, though I bought mine as part of a starter set on sale for Christmas a few years prior - 
https://shorturl.at/jlC89

Ryobi Drill (I also purchased this as part of the kit on sale - link is for tool only) - 
https://shorturl.at/cLO47

Clamps - Dewalt Trigger Clamp (I *think* I'm linking to the right size... I did buy 2 sizes, but I used the medium sized one for this project)
https://shorturl.at/fgil7

Drill bits, for metal, Milwaukee -
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-1-8-in-Cobalt-Red-Helix-Twist-Drill-Bit-48-89-2305/203115291

Countersink bit - Ryobi 1/2"  - https://shorturl.at/ivAHJ

Furring strips, 1x3 8ft Boards - https://shorturl.at/otC06

Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:25 Installing Long Furring Strips (using Plusnuts)
03:00 Vertical Support Intro
04:20 How to Use Pocket Hole Jig
07:40 Vertical Support Install
10:45 Upper Vertical Support & Ceiling Line Intro
11:10 Upper Vertical Support Install
12:46 2x2s for Front Headliner & Back Door Trim
14:15 Corner Strips (ceiling line)
16:03 Conclusion & Next Project