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Old 04-14-2011, 08:10 PM   #1
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Access door under "sofa"

We have a new (to us) 2008 Jayco Feather Sport 197. I looked at the storage and thought it might be an idea to cut an access door under the center section of the "sofa" (or whatever you call it). So I did that this afternoon.

This is what the base looks like when the cushions are removed:


I measured and marked the door opening while the plywood was still in place:


I took the plywood outside to cut the hole. It only had four screws holding it down. I screwed some scrap lumber to the underside, letting it stick out in the opening about 3/4":


Here's the modified plywood back in place. I added a few extra screws around the outside:



The big project cost about $1.00 for screws and what ever value one cares to put on the scraps of wood, plus about 1 1/2 hours.
Tools required: cordless drill, jigsaw (I made all the cuts with the jig saw), sandpaper, a few screws, 3/4" wood bit for the finger hole, 3/8" bit for the jig saw starting hole, a few wood screws of an appropriate size, tape measure, square, and of course, a few magic words!!

Go to next post for finished product!!
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Old 04-14-2011, 08:14 PM   #2
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Finished product:

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Old 04-14-2011, 08:18 PM   #3
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Nice work, Kjohn.
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Old 04-14-2011, 08:21 PM   #4
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Nice! So was that area inaccessible or just through the outer doors?



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Old 04-14-2011, 08:47 PM   #5
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So was that area inaccessible or just through the outer doors?

You could get at it from the inside, but not without standing on your head and having arms that are 4 feet long. Same with the outside ports. To reach anything in the center section you needed looonnnggg arms.
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Old 04-15-2011, 06:09 AM   #6
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Best $1.00 mod I ever saw. Nice job.
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Old 04-18-2011, 09:25 PM   #7
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Nice job! You don't always have to spend a lot of money to make a big difference. Thanks for the photos too.
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Old 04-19-2011, 12:08 AM   #8
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That is a good solution to the hard to reach spot.

On our trailer we have the pass through that goes all the way across the front. I can reach in about 3 ft on each end leaving the center kind of unreachable. I put a carpet runner in and now when I want something from the middle I just pull the carpet toward me. I do have to go to the other side to pull it back to center but at least I can reach things.
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Old 04-19-2011, 05:17 PM   #9
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An easier and cleaner way to make an internal cut that doesn't need a starting hole is to make a pocket cut with a circular saw. Place the front of the saw against the plywood with the rear lifted. Pull the guard out of the way, start the saw, then carefully lower the saw into the wood.

You can do the same with a jig saw but it's tricky as all get out. It's best to make that cut from what will be the bottom of the plywood so if you bugger it up a bit getting in, it won't show.
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Old 04-19-2011, 06:56 PM   #10
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Yes, I have made a few starting cuts like you describe in my day. I have also made starting cuts with a jig saw and no hole. I was just too lazy to get out a skil saw and had some bits nearby. I used to help a start-to-finish carpenter, and he taught me all kinds of tricks. I am still the champion sawdust and firewood maker in all of SE Saskatchewan, though!!

p.s. Lady Fitzgerald - Would you like some of our flood water and crappy weather??
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Old 04-19-2011, 09:09 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kjohn73 View Post
Yes, I have made a few starting cuts like you describe in my day. I have also made starting cuts with a jig saw and no hole. I was just too lazy to get out a skil saw and had some bits nearby. I used to help a start-to-finish carpenter, and he taught me all kinds of tricks. I am still the champion sawdust and firewood maker in all of SE Saskatchewan, though!!

p.s. Lady Fitzgerald - Would you like some of our flood water and crappy weather??
Sure. Send it to Northern AZ so Lakes Powell and Mead can fill up. Thanks!
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