I Feel As Though This Is A "Safe Space"

[onocoffee]

As I'm traveling and trolling through Marketplace, I've come across some wild deals: $150 for a Jet 16/32 drum sander, $40 for a different Jet 16/32 drum sander, and now this: a green Powermatic 8" jointer for $500.

But I'm driving a car. My pickup is at home. I don't think anyone would be happy if I tried to strap that to the roof of the Subaru...

I can't be the only crazy person here.

 

[PaulMarcel]

Rent a small trailer? Not trying to encourage you or anything...

 

[luvmytoolz]

Unless you plan on having multiple drum sanders to use for different grits, I'd highly recommend the 25/50 over any smaller ones. The money and time you'll save in the long term will be more than worth it.

I go through belts like there's no tomorrow, even though I try to be as careful as I can, but at least on a wide belt when it develops a pitch line that's impossible to remove, you still have room around it and can get more use out of it. A narrower belt you'd have to throw away.

And cleaning the belts is nowhere as easy or fool proof as people will have you believe!

 

[onocoffee]

Rent a small trailer? Not trying to encourage you or anything...

Not that the thought hasn't crossed my mind... But the rental and fee to install the hitch would be even more explanation. I just need to bring the truck the next trip!

Unless you plan on having multiple drum sanders to use for different grits, I'd highly recommend the 25/50 over any smaller ones. The money and time you'll save in the long term will be more than worth it.

I go through belts like there's no tomorrow, even though I try to be as careful as I can, but at least on a wide belt when it develops a pitch line that's impossible to remove, you still have room around it and can get more use out of it. A narrower belt you'd have to throw away.

And cleaning the belts is nowhere as easy or fool proof as people will have you believe!

This is good to know. Drum sanders are not high on my hit list, but when you see them going for $40 or $150, it's like: "well, maybe I could make some cutting boards..." Because, as you know, those things are quite eye-opening in price.

I probably should just stop looking at Marketplace.

 

[P_K]

As I'm traveling and trolling through Marketplace, I've come across some wild deals: $150 for a Jet 16/32 drum sander, $40 for a different Jet 16/32 drum sander, and now this: a green Powermatic 8" jointer for $500.

But I'm driving a car. My pickup is at home. I don't think anyone would be happy if I tried to strap that to the roof of the Subaru...

I can't be the only crazy person here.

The jointer could be a decent score, pick up an inexpensive set of wrenches at HF to disassemble it...

 

[Packard]

My question is, will it be resting on the roof, or the roof rack? Older cars would have linear strips for the cargo to rest on. Many new cars don’t have that provision and anything heavy can damage the roof.

The Subaru roof racks themselves are rated at 150 to 175 pounds. But I believe that is when the rack is carrying the load and not the roof.

Good tie down straps are essential, and not bungee cords. I find the ratcheting webbing version to be most suitable.

If it is not raining and you have help hoisting it onto the rack, and if it is lashed down securely, probably OK. I used to carry sheets of 3/4” plywood on my roof. (I now have a Chrysler Pacifica and a full sheet fits inside—and I don’t have to lift anything onto the roof.)

 

[onocoffee]

My question is, will it be resting on the roof, or the roof rack? Older cars would have linear strips for the cargo to rest on. Many new cars don’t have that provision and anything heavy can damage the roof.

The Subaru roof racks themselves are rated at 150 to 175 pounds. But I believe that is when the rack is carrying the load and not the roof.

Good tie down straps are essential, and not bungee cords. I find the ratcheting webbing version to be most suitable.

If it is not raining and you have help hoisting it onto the rack, and if it is lashed down securely, probably OK. I used to carry sheets of 3/4” plywood on my roof. (I now have a Chrysler Pacifica and a full sheet fits inside—and I don’t have to lift anything onto the roof.)

I appreciate the thoughts but the Powermatic was one of those big cast iron floor models with the long in/outfeed tables. Certainly not suitable for roof mounting on a Subaru. I don't think we could muscle it onto the roof to start!

 

[Packard]

I appreciate the thoughts but the Powermatic was one of those big cast iron floor models with the long in/outfeed tables. Certainly not suitable for roof mounting on a Subaru. I don't think we could muscle it onto the roof to start!

That is the problem with roof racks. Not only are they heavy and often require two people, they require a step stool for each to put the device in place. Also, I think people underestimate the power of wind resistance, especially when it involves a sheet of plywood.

I have an unfashionable minivan, and I can say unequivocally that it offers more Utility than a Sport Utility Vehicle (which offers little in the way of “sport”. Indeed, I would say that over 90% of the drivers of SUVs would be better served with a different class of vehicles, either a mini-van, a station wagon or a sedan or hatchback.

 

[onocoffee]

That is the problem with roof racks. Not only are they heavy and often require two people, they require a step stool for each to put the device in place. Also, I think people underestimate the power of wind resistance, especially when it involves a sheet of plywood.

I have an unfashionable minivan, and I can say unequivocally that it offers more Utility than a Sport Utility Vehicle (which offers little in the way of “sport”. Indeed, I would say that over 90% of the drivers of SUVs would be better served with a different class of vehicles, either a mini-van, a station wagon or a sedan or hatchback.

Agreed. My usual mode of transport is a pickup. Much better when I come across a slab or extra bandsaw - I can just toss it in the back!

 

[Packard]

Agreed. My usual mode of transport is a pickup. Much better when I come across a slab or extra bandsaw - I can just toss it in the back!

My issue with pickup trucks are two fold: First, they are open to the weather, and rain and snow can upset my shopping schedule. And second, in the suburban area I live in, there are many roads labeled “parkways” or “highways” and they don’t permit pickup truck travel. On Long Island, where I was from, highways and parkways far outnumber expressways, interstates and thruways which do allow pickup truck travel.

You can make pickup trucks legal for highway use by adding a cap to the cargo area, adding seats and seatbelts and registering the vehicle as a passenger car and not as a commercial vehicle. Even when you comply with all that, you can expect to be stopped frequently by traffic enforcement to check.

So, not a really good choice for me. (Plus, try finding a pickup truck with an 8’ bed nowadays.)

 

[luvmytoolz]

My issue with pickup trucks are two fold: First, they are open to the weather, and rain and snow can upset my shopping schedule. And second, in the suburban area I live in, there are many roads labeled “parkways” or “highways” and they don’t permit pickup truck travel. On Long Island, where I was from, highways and parkways far outnumber expressways, interstates and thruways which do allow pickup truck travel.

You can make pickup trucks legal for highway use by adding a cap to the cargo area, adding seats and seatbelts and registering the vehicle as a passenger car and not as a commercial vehicle. Even when you comply with all that, you can expect to be stopped frequently by traffic enforcement to check.

So, not a really good choice for me. (Plus, try finding a pickup truck with an 8’ bed nowadays.)

Utes are the number one selling type of car here in OZ, and have been for many years. I'm on my third one myself, and always thought "pickups" as you guys call them were similarly popular in the States?

There's highways and roads you can't drive one on, that's just so strange?

Here we have a huge number of entire nature reserves and parks all over the country geared specifically for 4 wheel driving.

 

[onocoffee]

My issue with pickup trucks are two fold: First, they are open to the weather, and rain and snow can upset my shopping schedule. And second, in the suburban area I live in, there are many roads labeled “parkways” or “highways” and they don’t permit pickup truck travel. On Long Island, where I was from, highways and parkways far outnumber expressways, interstates and thruways which do allow pickup truck travel.

You can make pickup trucks legal for highway use by adding a cap to the cargo area, adding seats and seatbelts and registering the vehicle as a passenger car and not as a commercial vehicle. Even when you comply with all that, you can expect to be stopped frequently by traffic enforcement to check.

So, not a really good choice for me. (Plus, try finding a pickup truck with an 8’ bed nowadays.)

Really? Not allowed on the parkways??? That sounds crazy. The parkways in Maryland are fine with pickups. That being said, I'm surprised I wasn't stopped the several times I've driven through the Hudson Valley in the Tacoma!

 

[onocoffee]

Utes are the number one selling type of car here in OZ, and have been for many years. I'm on my third one myself, and always thought "pickups" as you guys call them were similarly popular in the States?

There's highways and roads you can't drive one on, that's just so strange?

Here we have a huge number of entire nature reserves and parks all over the country geared specifically for 4 wheel driving.

Pickup trucks are very popular here in the USA. I've had a pickup (or LR SUV) in addition to a car since 1991. It is a very handy vehicle to have. I mostly drive the pickup.

And in the USA there are certain roads - typically "parkways" which, I believe, are freeways that have more greenery and wide forested medians that are operated by the US Park Service (at least the Baltimore-Washington Parkway in Maryland is). On these roadways, commercial vehicles, like trucks 26,000lb or larger, are prohibited. Although Australian-style Road Trains are prohibited here. The most we allow are triple trailered trucks in Texas, if I recall.

We do have reserves where 4 wheeling is permitted. The largest tracts are in the western part of the country, but here on the eastern side, we have a decent amount. When I had an LR Disco Series 1 (loved that thing), we used to go all the time.

It may seem like it on the news, but we're not SO backwards here!

 

[luvmytoolz]

Pickup trucks are very popular here in the USA. I've had a pickup (or LR SUV) in addition to a car since 1991. It is a very handy vehicle to have. I mostly drive the pickup.

I never quite got the whole "pry my ute from my cold dead hands" kind of thing until I bought my first Hilux. I simply couldn't imagine not having one now, they are so incredibly handy. I'm on a Triton Exceed d/cab now and my oldest bloke has just bought an LDV T60 Max which are making serious dents in sales here. Extremely nice ute for a reasonable price and 10 year warranty!

 

[Packard]

The one aspect of SUVs that I despise, is their height. My father taught me to keep my eye on vehicles ahead of the one directly in front of me. Observing those vehicles gives me more time to react. I can start braking as soon or sooner than the car in front of me does. I have a better chance of avoiding a collision.

But that advantage disappears when a tall SUV obscures my field of vision.

I had an SUV once. A Honda CRV. Dreadful car. I kept it for 4,000 miles and traded it in on a Chrysler Pacifica. Never looked back. The van is a superior vehicle in every measurable way (except cost, it is more expensive).

 

[Michael Kellough]

I’ve been a minivan owner since the mid ‘80s. In Manhattan a minivan is no problem to park in a garage.
And a pickup’s open bed is not a safe place to store anything when parked on the street.

Recently traded in my ‘09 Sienna for a new non-hybrid Pacifica. A little concerned about the lower reliability of the Pacifica compared to Toyota minivan but the ability to fold the seats into the floor made the sale. I had to move and store the Sienna’s heavy middle seats somewhere and whenever I needed to reinstall them I had to figure out the process all over again.

 

[onocoffee]

I’ve been a minivan owner since the mid ‘80s. In Manhattan a minivan is no problem to park in a garage.
And a pickup’s open bed is not a safe place to store anything when parked on the street.

Recently traded in my ‘09 Sienna for a new non-hybrid Pacifica. A little concerned about the lower reliability of the Pacifica compared to Toyota minivan but the ability to fold the seats into the floor made the sale. I had to move and store the Sienna’s heavy middle seats somewhere and whenever I needed to reinstall them I had to figure out the process all over again.

I rented a Pacifica earlier this year for a road trip and that ability to drop the seats in the floor was Champion! Comfortable ride, good handling. A friend has had Pacificas for years. Now I understand.

 

[Packard]

I’ve been a minivan owner since the mid ‘80s. In Manhattan a minivan is no problem to park in a garage.
And a pickup’s open bed is not a safe place to store anything when parked on the street.

Recently traded in my ‘09 Sienna for a new non-hybrid Pacifica. A little concerned about the lower reliability of the Pacifica compared to Toyota minivan but the ability to fold the seats into the floor made the sale. I had to move and store the Sienna’s heavy middle seats somewhere and whenever I needed to reinstall them I had to figure out the process all over again.

A note that Michael did not touch on: A Chrysler Pacifica is far less useful in the hybrid configuration for cabinet workers. The hybrid batteries take up the space that allows the “Stow and Go” option. To load a full sheet of plywood in the hybrid version requires removal of the second and third row seats. With the gasoline-only version, it is a 3 minute job of folding those seats out of sight.

My Pacifica, with the 9 speed transmission gets 16 mpg in town, and 22 mpg highway, the same as my Chrysler 300 does (with the same engine, but a 6 speed). I’m retired and drive 20 to 25 miles daily on average, so fuel consumption is not much of a concern.

Winter tires do an excellent job in the snow, better than many SUVs with their factory tires.

 

[Michael Kellough]

I didn’t want to divert the conversation too much so I didn’t bring up my experience renting a hybrid Pacifica. It left my wife and I stranded in nowheresville north Florida in the middle of the night because the gas engine never turned on to charge the battery.

I get the same mileage from my Pacifica but since I don’t put a lot of miles on the car either I find that insurance costs about three times as much per mile as gasoline.

 

[tjbnwi]

25 year old daily driver. Went with the Excursion over a pickup due to the enclosed “bed” and easy access through the rear side doors. Easily tows my trailer which I have loaded to 11,000 lb GVW.

The way I have it set up the 7.3 PSD with 420,000 miles on it averages 18.6 MPG.

Tom