I'm Converting a Van to Live Alone.
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- Опубліковано 5 жов 2024
- I purchased a van for #vanlife so I could run away and hide from all the mental things the world is throwing at us these days. This is the start of a 10 part series where I'll be taking this van and converting it into my new forever home.
Thank you so much to Mark Hannawin for accompanying me on this hunt! If you're ever in need of vehicle parts or tools, please take a moment to visit his websites below.
🛠 Website: www.wesellpart...
🛠 eBay Store: www.ebay.co.uk...
You can watch the extended conversion series here:
• Van Conversion
⚠ DISCLAIMER ⚠
Just to be clear, I am not celebrating nor condemning any of the clips in the intro. That's a choice you can make for yourself. They are used purely to highlight issues around politics and culture (specifically in the west) and the absurdity of it all, regardless of which side you are on. My stance on these issues is out of the scope of this video. Nothing was intended to offend or trigger, but if it does I apologise.
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🕵️♂️ WHO AM I?:
My name is Matt Estlea, I'm a 26 year old Woodworker from Basingstoke in England and my aim is to make your woodworking less s***.
I come from 5 years tuition at Rycotewood Furniture Centre with a further 1 year working as an Artist in Residence at the Sylva Foundation, which is where I began growing my business. I then returned to Rycotewood to teach Evening Classes for 2 Years, while also teaching City and Guilds Furniture Making for 3 years. They were some long 12 hour days!
In September, 2021. I resigned from teaching at the school to focus on my own business.
In addition to all that studying and teaching during the week, I occupied my weekends working at Axminster Tools and Machinery in Basingstoke. For 5 years, I helped customers with purchasing tools, demonstrated in stores and events, and gained extensive knowledge about a variety of tools and brands. I discontinued this job role in 2019 to focus on teaching at Rycotewood and my own business.
During the week, I film woodworking projects, tutorials, reviews and a viewer favourite 'Tool Duel' where I compare two competitive manufacturers tools against one another to find out which is best. I also have a Free Online Woodworking School which you should definitely check out!
🎓VISIT THE FREE SCHOOL HERE
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I like to have a laugh and my videos are quite fast paced BUT you will learn a lot, I assure you.
Lets go make a mess.
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PS: Some of the links in this description are affiliate links that I get a lil’ commission from recommending at no extra cost to you. If you’d like to know more about how this works, and what businesses I work with, please read my affiliate disclaimer here:
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This is a public thank you to Mark for accompanying me on this hunt! He was a wealth of knowledge, stories and humour that I felt blessed to have joining us on this day.
If you're ever in the need for vehicle parts, please take a moment to visit his website and eBay store below:
🌍www.wesellparts.co.uk/
🛒www.ebay.co.uk/str/wesellparts
Also, big old thanks to Rob for being cameraman and aptly capturing all the moments I looked like a lost child.
🎹ua-cam.com/users/RobHarveyMusic
If you want to see an extended cut of this video that shows more details from our hunt, please visit the playlist on the Matt Estlea 2 Channel:
👉ua-cam.com/play/PLxEOjQJVRPv5-vhkwaNT7sV8oqcGO9QTQ.html
The link seems to be broken :( No videos found
I was thinking, "Wow this guy must be a true friend to be spending so much of his time helping hunt a good van!" :)
Have fun
Bring bear mace 🥰
I'm not really sure when it happened, but at some point your edits jumped to another level! Can't wait to see this series mate!
Cheers! I think the turning point was when I was Living in the Workshop in 2020. The loopiness definitely aided the creativity!
@@MattEstlea I could stand to level up my editing. Can I live in your workshop? I’m in the US, so feel free to delay answering until you’re on this side of the pond, and/or you’ve met my family. They’re good people too, but I’d understand if you’d want to slap eyes on us before handing over the keys.
Cheers!
one thing my mate learnt when he did the van life thing is that the roof needs something on it to disperce the sound of rain drops. as when it shits it down, its hard to get some kip.
When you are done Matt, load it on a boat and come over the pond to Canada, we would love to have you.
I think this is fantastic news. Congratulations on a wonderful find.
Do not fear the unknown of fixing vehicles: you started from the beginning with woodworking and all the other things you've mastered; you will do the same with vehicle maintenance and repair. In a year or two we'll be watching your video of dropping an engine... 🙂
Welcome to a growing club! Hitting the road won't solve all your problems, but it does put you in a better position to escape speedily!
I'm still figuring out how to line the walls of my LWB Mercedes Vito, after 18 months. But I have solar panels, a Maxxfan roof vent fan installed (cutting that hole in the top of your van is quite a step for a total beginner!), insulation, a sub-floor, and a ceiling. And a plan. (Sort of.)
Looking forward to following your build, as my van build was the thing that got me exploring carpentry, and this channel.
Oh, and remember that wood is heavy, and minimising weight while maintaining strength is a challenge I will be very interested to watch!
For once, a UA-cam series on building a van for living in it made by someone who actually knows what he is doing. With the level of craftmanship that you put in your work, it's gonna be awesome.
He admitted in the beginning he'll be doing a lot he has no idea what he's doing. Then he spends minutes talking about how he doesn't know vehicles ..
@@lunaumbra5179 mechanically, maybe, but I think his channel has proved him to be an absolute top tier maker.
@@lucasMcarter89 I'm not doubting his broad making skills. He's really good at wood. I just found it interesting OP claims "he knows what he is doing" when most of the video is him admitting he doesn't know what he is doing.
He's gonna do an epic job, So long as he doesn't get caught in perfectionism like I did on my van. But I am also nervous he's not gonna like it, or end up with some big regrets.
Good luck mate, we semi converted ours so we could have "cheaper holidays", spoiler diesel has gone through the roof. Still great fun and we did the NC500.
Awesome! Be successful! Enjoy your new Journey.
Agree......everyones mental now! I would love to personally join you on the journey, but I will definately be along for the ride virtually. Best of luck Matt.
O well, I am never going to get my Cocobolo marking knife! That's the sound of envy. Great van, core product in the build. Enjoy.. that's me turning green...
Wishing you all the best Matt, you've been an inspirational educator and Im so looking forwards to following you on your new journey.
I remember we'd just finished a residency at the 100 club and John Martyn was at a loss as to which way his career should go, after his groundbreaking album "Solid Air" I said " John, this is a mugs game, get yourself into woodworking, you'll never be out of work, and make a few quid in the bargain". He shook my hand and said he'd give it some serious consideration. Glad to see him doing so well
Couple of tips from living in a camper.
Hide your keys outside the van if youve been drinking. The cops wanted to knick me in Norwich one night after waking me up and breathalysing me. Luckily id thrown my keys into the car park - which they admitted removed me from being in control of the wheel. Bonus.
Park facing the direction you want to get away if you need to.
Have a safe.
Ventilation is key.
Put your shitter right by the sliding door, so if you're taking a dump near an epic view, you can combine them into a total win.
Good luck dude!
I can already imagine a million dovetail joints in the inside of this van. This will be a moving museum of woodworking 😃
Matt, since working from home had become the norm for me after COVID, a sprinter van build has been a fantasy. One of the most alluring aspects is to put some woodworking skills, especially cabinet making, to the test. I'm so very excited to witness your journey in this space.
I've also been watching 'EXPLORIST life - DIY Campers' to learn a lot about electrical work inside a van.
Thank you for sharing!!
Finally found you again. I was lost in American woodworkers telling me 3 sixteenths blah blah.
With the world gone mad, I'm going back to woodworking which soothes me. I'd forgotten your channel, knew I liked it but couldn't remember it, found it again. Phew!
Welcome brother. I built my van out last year and have been living in it since. Let me know if you have any questions brother.
All the best with it Matt, have a nice day Mate !!!.
When you look at that walnut slab you've been saving and think it might become firewood this winter.... it's bad.
Yep... I've got some snakewood stocks somewhere 😬
well done on getting your van. I hate having to buy or sell any vehicle that's why I've owned one of mine for 21 years and I'm in the motor trade ! tyres and brakes are consumable and if you get em sorted you know there done and right.
Some vehicle buying tips, look at the MOT history of the vehicle. Anyone can do this for free online via government website. If there's lots of fails or advisories then walk away as it indicates it's been poorly maintained. Also look through any service history provided BEFORE buying. Timing chain replacement a must for older vehicles. If the brake discs are grooved or tyres unevenly worn, again walk away. Look for misalignment of panels, and overspray(as mentioned in the video)
At some point all you can do is your own thing. Eff the rest of the world, do what makes you happy! I love learning new things and will love to see how you tackle a van build, Matt Estlea style.
Looking forward the the series Matt. Now that Andy Rawls series on rebuilding an Argosy RV I now have a new series to look forward to! Best of luck to you.
I've been meaning to come back this video for ages, Thank you.
Remember to keep the weight to 3T loaded with water/fuel, allowing 500kg for gear plus you and passengers. Or uprate to 4.5T but that involved upgrading some van systems, breaking etc. oh, and cedar is lightweight cladding and smells nice!
Hey Matt, hope you are well, not sure if you will see this comment, but I'll write it anyway. This is one of the rare occasions that the UA-cam algorithm works properly, this video was recommended today and I've subscribed. I see a lot of resembles, my name also starts with M and I have messy hair :D I am also into woodworking, but a beginner, currently rebuilding an old shed into a workshop. I've been wanting to do my own van conversion and run away for some time now, so waiting for the build videos. Martin
Cheers Martin, great to have you here! Messy hair ftw 👏
Remodeled a sprinter (L2H2) myself. Im so excited to see you building it and learn what I could have done better xD good luck with it and welcome to the group!
Nice! I do like the idea of doing a smaller one too. This is an absolute monster 😂
Haven't watched your videos in a while. Your production and storytelling is really spot on. Very nice and entertaining watch!
You're only young once. Do this! Go all in! This will be one of the greatest adventures of your life!
What a proper uncle. LEGEND. ^^
I saw on the news that Edinburgh may avoid the Southern England black outs this winter. Looks like you are far enough north to avoid the worst--unless everyone without power moves north. Ugh!!! Good thing you are going mobile. Smart move--your own personal heat and power.
At least you can be happy you’re one of the single digit percentage of people with useful skills no matter what happens.
Haha I think this series might be about to disprove that!
@@MattEstlea You can always do plasma donations if your small time wood working and social media efforts don’t pan out.
LOL!
Don’t know how it is in UK, but in US plasma donations are usually in the, uh, least nice parts of town, only as clean as legally required to be, incredibly time consuming, and pay a variable amount using math inscrutable to the average human [I don’t say this lightly, I have a math degree]. So yeah, being in a filthy room for 4.5 hours to make between $15 & $55 is pretty much my definition of “Sub-optimal way to spend an afternoon.” The fact that you can do it twice a week doesn’t really sweeten the pot. So glad I’m not dependent on little hustles like that anymore.
Good luck to ya, you’re delightful to watch. Hoping for all the best for you.
Cheers!
Are you trying to say Only 9% of people have practical skills?
I totally get it and I’m looking forward to watching your journey. 👍🏻
Your editing skills (team?) have reallllly gone to a whole new level, fantastic content. Feels like a proper TV show high quality
No one told me he was buying a van! What the hell? Where’s the woodwork? Where’s the OSB? I’ve just wasted 9mins of my life watching a guy who needs a hair cut go out to buy a van.
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Enjoyed every minute of it 😉
🤣🤣🤣
I love to see the youth of today do it right! You have many skills and will add to them on this new adventure. It is very generous of you to share with us so we can vicariously be adventurers!
I've been feeling the same way for a while, the world has gone nuts. I bought 40 acres of off grid land last year. Have not done much on it yet but my goal is to live off grid. The idea of doing a van build is also really cool to me and I may actually do that at some point as well, that way I could sell my house here but also keep my job. Live in the van here and then live on my off grid land when I'm off work. I would save so much money doing this. Costs of living are through the roof. My bills eat like 95% of my pay. This Should be a fun series to follow as I'm sure the craftsmanship inside is going to be top notch.
Not to worry Matt, you'll do good, looking forward to the build, thanks for sharing.
I remember we'd just finished the last run of Evita at the west end and David Essex was at a loss as to which way his career should go, post silver dream machine, which wasnt well received by critics and the public alike. I said " David, this is a mugs game, get yourself into woodworking, you'll never be out of work, and make a few quid in the bargain". He shook my hand and said he'd give it some serious consideration. Glad to see him doing so well
subscribed to the new channel, eagerly awaiting the conversion series! we have a camper trailer(caravan to you brits) here in canada and i have done extensive rehab work to such trailers over the years
Can’t wait for this series! But I nearly didn’t watch it over the thumbnail thought you were leaving UA-cam 😂 glad I clicked, love this sort of content l!
Best thing I ever did for my mental health was to unplug from the news. I still hear about all the insanity going on around the world through friends and family. There's no getting away from that. Still, that 1 simple step has done a world of good for me. Looking forward to the series and best wishes for a successful get-away!
awesome; looks like a good adventure awaits us all!
I’m on a hunt for a sailboat with a similar amount of living space! This is inspiring. I need to learn good fiberglass fabrication. Otherwise maybe very much like your van!
Love your channel. Me and the wife have recently got into van life. We did a mad thing, and do the NC 500 in my works van. I built a sliding bed frame and off we went to live in it for over 2 weeks. We had an amazing adventure, so I know you will. Look forward to all that you get up to.
PS thanks for all your woodworking knowledge
Mark
TOTALLY IN ON THIS WILD RIDE....CHEERS MATE.....
Well, this going to be THE project to watch for me. I’m currently looking at a similar project.
Have you ever considered that you may be carpentries answer to Brian Molko? Love you videos, looking forwards to following you new journey...
Hi Matt. This is my first ever comment on UA-cam or any other forum - lol - serious. Thank you so much for all your insight. I’m a beginner woodworker and the things you have taught me from across the pond should not go unnoticed. A sincere thank you and best of luck to you. I hope you find some tranquility. You are a great teacher, better woodworker and more importantly from what I can tell an amazing person. Thanks
Good choice! 👍🏻 Do your thing
We love you; You'll be great no matter what direction 🍁🍂🌾!
Matt, I have loved your woodworking videos and look forward to your Van Build. I have a 36’ Class A motorhome and only watch RV, woodworking and off-road videos. If you haven’t seen RV with Tito, watch him, he does a great job building and remodeling rv systems. He helped me design my solar system on my Class A. Oh and after you get bored with driving around Europe, load your van on a ship and come to America….so many places to see and a lot of off grid camping out west.
What a brillant episode can't wait for more this is mainstream TV
Matt cracking video made me laugh and almost cried. 🤣 amazing editing really felt this was your true colour showed your personality in the edit great job look forward to the next one. Don't forget to add some dovetails in the project 😉 😊
Oh you can guarantee they'll be there mate! Already got 8 Bridle joints in the fan frame which will literally NEVER be seen 😂
I'm glad I finally have something to look forward to!
Good luck with everything! Looking forward to the series. I know a couple of people who did the van life things here in the US and good for them. They're enjoying it. Definitely a lot of issues but overall it was worth it.
Good plan! Mate your filmography, edits and story telling have gone up another level 👏
I can't decide if I like this short video or the longer video more. I guess I'll be watching both series then! :)
Dip in and out as you please! Cheers Marius :)
I'm enjoying your sense of humor. Should be a great series!
Cheers Mark! I bloody hope so too
Best of luck. Can't blame you...
Might want to get in touch with Laura Kampf in Cologne, Germany. She's not a woodworker, she graduated industrial design and is a maker of anything. She does have some car mechanics skills, lots of friends with all sorts of skills, and is currently renovating a very old and very damaged half-timbered house. She also has a well fitted workshop, not just for wood. You might get a good bargain by trading skills and work with her - she has done several camper projects in the past. Building on past experience, even if it's not your own, is invaluable.
Good luck mate I look forward to this series
Great video. Awesome voice-overs and you managed to keep me entertained the whole time
Great to hear! Thank you :)
literally my exact plan as well! except I have about 1/10th the budget.... 2009 Iveco Daily XLWB is what I've gone for; I'll see you on the road!
Nice to see you back on UA-cam , good luck with your project ! I bet that van gonna be cool 😎 🔥🔥🔥
You wel smash it Matt, what could go wrongggggggg!
You could get a nice box trailer for a mobile workshop. Looking forward to the videos
This is going to be a great series, good luck!
Wow! I’ve been dreaming of doing something like that since I was in my teens, probably. But now I’m stuck with a house and kids etc.
Now it will have to wait until the kids love out, at least, and then I need to convince my wife. That’ll be the hardest part, I bet.
Good on you for making it happen! 🙌
Best of luck to you! 🤞😁
Really great vid- for me…Matt is the best UA-camr. Can’t wait for the next instalment.
Great stuff, can't wait to watch how you get on :) This reminds me of my hunt for a van although had less of a budget I think. Ended up finding one 110 miles away. Checked the train fare, £65....no way I was paying that so I had a brainwave; I'd cycle it there, it'd be an adventure. Since I hadn't rode a bike for 4 years, it was bound to be easy peasy too. Fortunately the cramp, sore arse and piles didn't last too long and I can walk again now :)
Brilliant 😂
Good onya Matt, I enjoy vanlife videos more than woodworking nowadays & the mods you’re doing are fantastic. See you at Wood Dust in Australia
It was good to meet you at the show earlier this week. I caught Paul watching your videos through out the day with a chisel in hand!
Good luck on the van build!
Good to meet you too James! Sorry I wasn't able to say bye!
Awesome! Looking forward to watching this. I actually saw you a while back in a bar in my town and was going to say hi 😂 now I will just keep an eye out for your van and give you a wave!
Really?! Where was that? 😂
I clicked on this vid because I liked watching previous furniture channels and this seemed a little calico bate-y.
Now I’m glad I clicked it as I’m going to enjoy watching the series. I was already subscribed but this video earned a bell notification. Edit: I thought I was subscribed 😂. I am now
Very well edited! Looking forward to see how you way over achieve on this like everything you do.
I love watching Van build series.. so I'm really looking forward to your river table installation!
All the best mate. If you're in far east Germany, near the Czech/Polish border, come for some beers!
Поздравляю с удачной покупкой! =)
good video! I love it. look after "ecoflow" items. big battery, solar paner, and modular, can be connected to car generator. Good luck for the project, i cant wait to see it! :)
First I watched Thomas Heaton do a minivan conversion, now I'm watching you do a sprinter van conversion... maybe next I'll find a school bus conversion series.
Cool! Looking forward to this.
Great video! I converted a ambulance when I was in my early 20s and went round Europe in it with my wife, was a great adventure, both building it and traveling in it. Looking back I'd do so many things differently with the build, although it was much smaller, just a vaxhall midi van with a semi high top! Looking forward to watching this and seeing how you get on.
That's awesome! Sounds like a great time. I personally love the idea of doing an ambulance or a school bus.
@@MattEstlea This was a weird one as it was a midi van - so an ex-St John's Ambulance, had been stored in an RAF hanger it's whole life and only been to village fetes, never been in the rain they joked, had 8,000 miles on the clock when we got it. Even though it was about 15 years old the MOT tester said it was basically a brand new van! For £400 quid it was a bargain! My top advice would be not to skimp on bed size! Make sure it's as big as you're used to!
Really hyped for this series! Good luck with the build & see you on the streets!
Get it kitted out then head to central Portugal, buy a bit of land with lots of trees, get a portable sawmill, then business as usual. Looking forward to this new series. I built a camper from a lwb sprinter so have an idea of what your in for, good luck. 👍 😎
You have now gone into my top 5 favourite channels on youtube due to this new adventure
WOOP! Thanks man!
So, I have been living on the road fot the past year (+wife+3kids) and it's been the best experience and decision I ever made. I wil recomend you to figure out the "earning a living" part prior to departure, but still, go for it!
Wow! Great to hear. It's never something I've tried before but I'm very excited about it. Thanks :)
Congrats Matt !!!
And Thanks as well to Mark - as an F1 fan, nice to see that there IS life after leaving pit lane !
You should use a horsebox, we converted one, it’s amazing
So cool that you are doing this. Will be sorry to see your furniture making moving to the sit. Also moving around does not make the world less crazy. The best way to see the world as a group of great people is just to spend time in real life with people, don't read the news or watch news on TV. Just fuck about and enjoy life. Then you will see most humans are gems.
Well done Matt. Will watch you all the way.
Matt!! This video was epic, you had me hooked, that whole first section was edited so well 👊🏻 Looking forward to watching this series dude 🤙🏻
Good luck with the new project Matt. Really hope all goes well for you.
i wish you the best mate. Greetings from Greece
This is going to be great, you mentioned your other channel with more details how do I find out please
Had a LWB Sprinter for work, good van and a nice place to be but please please please be aware of any and all holes you drill in it, they are horrible for rusting. Even if you don't drill holes keep an eye on the arches inside the van and if possible keep a way to move stuff so you can keep an eye on it in case you need to repaint or rust converter something down the line.
Sounds like a great adventure, Matt! Best of luck
I'm a new aspiring wood working hobbyist, and just found your channel! great stuff
Hey Matt! This is gonna be epic! I’m looking forward watching this series unfold. I’m very sure this van will be an epic one in the end. Good choice to make a short vid on this channel and a long one on the other. I like that format. Till next vid mate. Good to begin a serie once again!
This may have been mentioned already but as a woodworker you may be tempted to use nice pieces of wood, and nice solid bits of wood (unless you have a nice stash of Cedar) are heavy!
Stop for a moment and think about weight.
You've bought a LWB Sprinter not the lightest of vans in the first place. it is only plated at 3500KG so you will not have a lot of payload to play with from the outset
Have you weighed it with a full tank of fuel and you sitting in the driver seat?
if not first tip I can give you, having done this several times now, is weigh it asap so you have a point of reference.
Use a weighbridge that can do the axles individually as it is usually the rear axle that will go overweight first!
Then estimate how much payload you will need for any passengers, pets, luggage, tools, toys, clothes, food and water etc?
Add that to the vans empty weight.
What's left is what your build can weigh minus say 10-15% for contingency.
If you do go over weight you can easily uplate the vehicle to a higher weight but you will have to have a C1 licence to be able to drive it.
Second tip, don't waste time money and especially weight, fitting pointless self adhesive sound deadening materials I can assure you it is a complete waste of time in a properly insulated van.
Last tip ventilation, the more the better proper top opening windows are invaluable, ditto two rather than one roof vent for in and out circulation.
Good luck