Nikson's Minnie Winnie "Sauna Edition"

[Nikson]

How extreme do you get with your builds???

Figured I would share some information on my SAUNA build...

You can say "Crazy Russian", or whatever you want to call me (us)...

but here is what I bought for $1000...

1978 Dodge Minnie Winnie 20' RV
about 80k mileage

Here what I've done...

Custom Sauna installation
cost $4000 + personal labor time.

 

[Nikson]

what we had to work with...

FRONT

REAR

 

[Nikson]

Pre-Sauna Room

Ripped everything out... got over 1000 lbs of junk out of the RV...
Cabinets, furniture, appliances...

Ones had the "naked" walls, wrapped up the front section with 1" foam sheet (ones used in EFIS STUCCO) and covered it up with 1/4" cherry veneer...

 

[Nikson]

SAUNA section...

2x4 framing... proper insulation... and heat protection for a wood-burning stove...

(yes., everything by fire code)...
FYI: after over 12 months use, no issues... (for those who might be worried about this "thing" burning down)

SAUNA SECTION

WOOD BURNING STOVE "CORNER"
DUROCK ready for travertine style tile...

WALL DIVIDING SAUNA from Pre-Sauna Room

More of SAUNA build...

Almost there...

STOVE corner... (tile done)

UPPER VENTILATION

 

[Nikson]

UPPER CHIMNEY... and other...

here is a shot of the upper chimney with stainless steel 12" piece.
custom laser cut brackets (outside/inside)

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

STOVE IN PLACE

BEAUTY

ALL TOGETHER

 

[Nikson]

Sectional DOOR

here is door in progress...

Door in place...

Interior is done...

Door view from SAUNA's side...
whats a sauna without ladies :wings:

 

[Nikson]

slowly getting there...

(could you tell I am "HAPPY"???)

 

[Nikson]

Bench work...

Benches are next...

Process is simple... getting the most use out of the RV space available...

Sleeping space is considered at the most...
2 can sleep in the overcab space
2 can sleep on the floor (air mattress or similar) in the pre-sauna section
2 can sleep on the benches in sauna itself (considering its not HOT )

One step at a time...

So, what do you think??? LOL

This picture shows how bottom part is set up. Upper bench is made to be lowered for sleeping next to the bottom bench. A 6' guy has no issues with fitting in.. (I am 5'10" and fit in comfortably)

 

[Nikson]

First impression...

Great feeling it is... when everything works out as you plan...

Here is a picture of the first "fire UP" so to speak.

Chimney worked out great without any issues... no smoke leaks, ventilation is well...

Rocks piled up... bring on that WATER...

Top chimney section (mushroom on top isnt installed yet)

 

[Nikson]

First Time out in the WOODs...

Here are some pictures from the first time...

Oregon is great place for outdoors... anyone saying otherwise, havent seen Oregon as we have... Need some direction, feel free to ask... I'll point out some "nice" places... LOL...

Here we are on one on our favorite spots (in the proximity of Elk Lake)

First Dinner... Russian Style...

Whats a true SAUNA experience without a REAL Russian wood burning SAMOVAR (самова&#1088... Got it as birthday present for my 30th from friends in Moscow, its one of the first made in city of TULA, RUSSIA in late 1800's, been restored though to the original condition...

DAY PHOTO

 

[Nikson]

Winter of 2008

Had pretty fun 2 weeks around Christmas time. Snow that Willamette Valley hasnt seen for some time...

You can get a feeling what it was like having this thing in real snow...
Some pictures of the "finished" product I guess...

EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE CHANGES

SAUNA SLEEPING AREA
(I've replaced the VINYL for tile flooring inside sauna, didnt seem like vinyl liked the temperature level we would get 'er up to... )

 

[Nikson]

Interior decor

HERE ARE SOME INTERIOR DECOR pieces...
(hand carved)

GOTTA have clock w/ all the HUMIDITY & TEMP gauges...

 

[Nikson]

Snow trip...

Here is a trip up to McCoy Rd Warming Hut (NF-2230, Oregon)

Call us crazy... may be we a bit are... but we take thing thing everywhere... in the proximity of its gas tank...

Here is a link to the trip on the McCoy Rd, heading home...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9LAiwCU0BM​

 

[Ireland]

Awesome build, love it... Way to breath new life into an old camper:beer::beer::beer:

 

[Desert Dan]

Now that is roughing it!

Nice work on the Sauna!