Wren Diesel

03/08/2026

I started my next project on the bus. We've been planning out the bathroom door for quite a while now. We wanted something unique that would let some light through, keeping the open feeling in a small space. I found Trisha Thompson on marketplaceand we absolutely love her work! (I'll drop a link to her page in the comments so you can go check out her work.) It was perfect for what we wanted. A few texts back and forth, and she had created our Pacific Wren stained glass.
Then it was on to building the door. I wanted light, water-resistant, and in line with the rest of the build. I purchased a few 2"x6" western red cedar boards last summer just for the door. After almost a year, they are dry and stable enough for the build. With all of the planning and a bit of measuring, cutting, planing, routing, and fitting, I now have a door! I've still got some work to do, but I'm super excited to be at this point. I'm now working with someone to have some custom, hand-forged hinges made for it.

03/06/2026

Join us at The Bus Fair in Oakridge, Oregon in June. We still have some work to do but our bus will be an exhibitor at the fair for everyone to check out.

Bus Life Adventure

03/06/2026

Looking forward to The Bus Fair!

Get tickets online for The Bus Fair 2026 - Skoolie Exhibitors here.

02/08/2026

I was due for a beach day! With the sun shining on the Olympic Peninsula in February, I knew I had to make the most of this rare and beautiful opportunity.

01/26/2026

Based cabinets are getting closer. Drawers are complete except for handles.

01/20/2026

Late night adventure chasing northern lights. Got a little color but nothing too impressive. Maybe next time.

01/19/2026

More cabinet work. Just a little more sanding and some finish before the install.

12/31/2025

Took a last minute trip to Cape Dissapoint State Park. We sure enjoyed spending the day at the beach and getting a little hiking in. It was also a great test to see how the fuel plate and governor springs work. Im happy to report we are about 10 mph faster going up the hills without an increase in temperatures. Its so much nicer to drive now.

12/28/2025

I’ve had a few questions about my hard wax finish lately, so I wanted to put together this write‑up with all of my ingredients, ratios, and the tools I use for anyone who wants to reference it.
One of the questions I get asked the most is what finish I use on my cabinets, drawers, and other small‑batch woodworking projects. I like something natural, durable, and easy to work with, without the plastic look some finishes leave behind.

After trying a bunch of commercial products, I started making my own hard wax finish right here in the shop. It gives the wood a warm satin sheen, smells great, and holds up beautifully.

It’s also much cheaper to make in this volume than buying Odie’s or Rubio Monocoat. Rubio is supposed to be a natural finish, but you still have to wear gloves to apply it. A few times I didn’t, and it made my hands itch for days. That pushed me to find an alternative that was gentler, more affordable, and still looked great. This blend checks all the boxes, and now it’s all I use.

Ingredients I Use
Beeswax (adds softness and a warm natural glow)
https://amzn.to/4jiAHq7

Carnauba Wax (adds hardness and durability)
https://amzn.to/4jhS62m

Pure Tung Oil (deep pe*******on and long‑lasting protection)
https://amzn.to/3LdR3Ul

Raw Linseed Oil (adds flexibility and enhances grain)
https://amzn.to/4aBcQjd

Vitamin E Oil (acts as a natural preservative)
https://amzn.to/49epen0

d‑Limonene (solvent for blending and thinning)
https://amzn.to/4jA9KyB

My Exact Formula
1.0 oz Beeswax
0.5 oz Carnauba Wax
8.0 oz Raw Tung Oil
1.0 oz Raw Linseed Oil
2.5 oz d‑Limonene
0.06 oz Vitamin E Oil

This blend creates a buttery, easy‑to‑apply finish that buffs to a warm satin sheen.

Tools and Supplies I Use
Candle‑making hot plate kit (great for melting waxes evenly and keeping temps steady)
https://amzn.to/3YKBIOa

Metal storage cans (1‑pint) for storing the finished wax
https://amzn.to/497WNqI

How I Make It
I melt the beeswax and carnauba wax together on the hot plate, then add the tung oil, raw linseed oil, vitamin E oil, and d‑Limonene. The d‑Limonene helps everything blend smoothly. Once mixed, I pour it into the metal cans and let it cool into a smooth, buttery finish.

If you’ve admired the finish on my recent builds, this is exactly what I use.

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12/28/2025

Construction is officially underway for the drawers inside Wren Diesel.
​I am using 1/2" maple for the boxes and decided to dust off my favorite box joint jig. It has been sitting on the shelf for a while, but it is still the most precise way to get this job done.

​The design of this jig is based on a 1/16" all-thread rod. Because the lead screw is so precise, one full turn of the handle moves the material exactly 1/16". Since I am cutting 1/4" box joints, eight turns moves the material exactly 1/2" to line up the next cut perfectly.

​To make the process repeatable, I built in a cam that moves a physical arm. This gives me a clear starting and stopping point for every pass and makes it much easier to keep track of my count as I watch the arm move.

​Before the assembly comes the labor-intensive part: lots and lots of sanding. Then once they are glued up comes more sanding and rounding over the edges with the router. Oh and more sanding.

​For the final touch, I am skipping the standard polyurethanes in favor of my own small-batch hard wax finish. It is a custom blend of beeswax, carnauba wax, linseed oil, tung oil, and d-limonene as the solvent. I prefer the feel and look of this natural finish over synthetic coatings any day.

12/24/2025

🚌 WrenDiesel is officially a new beast! 💨
​We just got back from a test drive after the new water pump, fuel plate, and 3k governor springs... and WOW, what a difference!
​After refilling the coolant and hitting the road, she’s a completely different bus. We were easily cruising at 65 mph down the highway, and those small hills that used to slow us down? Absolute non-issue now. No more stressful pull-outs on the 101 for us—we’re finally keeping up with the flow! 🐎💨
​🛠️ Back to the Interior
​With the engine running strong, it’s time to shift gears back to the living space. We’re making huge progress on the kitchen:
​Lower Cabinets: The face frames are officially complete!
​Custom Woodwork: All the lumber has been milled and is staged and ready to go.
​Next Up: Building out the drawers and cabinet doors to get this galley finished.
​It feels so good to have the mechanical side sorted, so we can focus on making this feel like home. We can’t wait to get her back out for a real trip soon!
​Stay tuned for more woodshop updates! 🪵🔨
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