Hey guys! I wanted to be unveiling the finished linen closet in the Jack and Jill bathroom but it’s still not done. Argh. It feels like I’ve been trudging through knee deep molasses to make any forward progression. Part of my problem has been my chaotic workshop. It’s been a mess since October when Julie […]
The post Getting out of a slump and a Calderwood Cottage update appeared first on Sawdust Girl®.
Want to learn how to make a simple dado jig? Hey Sawdust Girl Readers! Happy New Year! It’s SG Squad member, Timisha here from ToolBox Divas. It has been a while since we last chatted. The holidays are a great time to spend with family and unwind. I can honestly say I did absolutely NOTHING. […]
The post How to Make a Dado Jig for Palm Router appeared first on Sawdust Girl®.
The best roof top tent is out there, waiting for you to grab it and take it on an adventure of a lifetime. Now more than ever, buyers have an opportunity to choose between a plethora of high-quality roof top tents that fit most budgets and uses. The most expensive roof top tent, isn’t always the right tent, and the cheapest roof top tent doesn’t mean it’s of poor quality.
I’ve got a 1989 FJ62 Land Cruiser and a 2008 F-150. Both are setup with racks to accommodate a roof top tent, so I’ve had an opportunity to personally test all of these here. There are a few listed that I’ve only seen at trade shows such as Overland Expo and Outdoor Retailer, but most of these I’ve spent multiple nights in, so I can attest to their quality and comfort.
Before choosing a roof top tent, you need to first answer these questions, which will help narrow down your choices.
What is your budget?
How do you plan on using your roof top tent?
How often will you use your roof top tent?
How many people will be sleeping in the tent?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll have a better idea of what type of roof top tent you need as well as the size. Here’s a list of the best roof top tents we’ve personally used or checked out.
Most roof top tents are completely separate units from the racks they attach to. They can include mounting brackets to fit round, aero, and square bars, but there are hardly any native solutions. Front Runner Outfitters is one of the most comprehensive roof top tent systems you can find. The strength of their roof racks is validated by years of use in the jungles of South Africa, and their roof top tent lives up to their reputation.
The Front Runner roof top tent can be used with any type of rack system, but their innovative quick-release roof top tent system is a real winner. Just slide your tent into the four locking mounts and off you go.
The Yakima hits the sweet spot in terms of price and accessibility for most people who are considering buying a roof top tent. Many people already have Yakima roof racks or bike racks and most of these people are weekend warriors or action sports enthusiasts. They year for a quick and easy way to setup a campsite and are enamored by the advantages of roof top tents.
Casual users may also be more likely to remove the tent between trips as it’s likely they will only use the tent 2-5 times per year. The hardcore overland crowd might scoff at the Yakima, but we can attest to it’s durability and ease of use. We did have a bolt loosen on us after a few hundred miles, so make certain everything is tight as you assemble it.
Hard shell roof top tents are the most durable of the bunch and can remain on your vehicle for months at a time. With some models you can also attach gear to the top of the tent which is a huge advantage over other tents, as roof top storage is often lost when using a roof top tent.
Most hard shell roof top tents are opened with hydraulic arms that lift the top instantly. No more fiddling with extra zippers or covers. Closing a hard shell tent is just as easy.
The main disadvantage to hard shell roof top tents is that they are heavier, which makes them more difficult to attach and remove as well as store. A heavier tent can also impact your mileage as it adds more to the overall weight of the vehicle. It also moves the center of gravity higher, so if you are already carrying a tire or other heavy gear up top, a hard shell tent adds even more weight.
Among hard shell roof top tents, the best we’ve seen are from James Baroud. These tents are around the most expensive you’ll find, but the features are quality are tough to match.
Tepui has been one of the top names in roof top tents for years, and they recently introduced an all-season solution that allows you to replace the canopy on your tent based on the conditions you will encountering. The Baja Series features a mesh shade canopy for hot humid weather or a lightweight nylon rip-stop canopy for spring time, or an aluminized canopy for inclement weather. A detachable rainfly is also included.
This solves an issue for campers who use their tents year round and travel to areas with a variety of weather conditions.
There are plenty more roof top tent companies that we want to mention, that have been building quality tents for years and have legions of fans behind them.
Cascadia Vehicle Tents (CVT) is seen on more rigs than almost any other tent, and the reason is simple. They have one of the deepest selections of roof top tents available, so it’s likely you’ll find the size you need at the price you want. From two-person roof top tents to four-person and larger tents, CVT can setup your car or truck with a durable and long-lasting tent to fit your needs.
Smittybilt has been making off-road gear for ages, and their roof top tent is one of the top rated tents on Amazon. For $870 you’ll get a roof top tent that includes many of the same features you’d find on higher priced tents.
The number one goal of a roof top tent is to make your car camping experience more enjoyable. Nothing beats waking up to a gorgeous sunrise when you’re seven feet off the ground.
Hey friends!! It’s Shara here from Woodshop Diaries. Happy New Year!! With it being the start of a new year, I know that organization is top priority and money is probably a little tight (Or is that just me??). So the last thing you want to do is go out and buy ANOTHER fancy, expensive […]
The post Shopmade Router Circle Jig appeared first on Sawdust Girl®.
Having a 12 volt jumpstarter with you at all times, means you no longer have to ask strangers for help to jumpstart your car or wait for AAA or roadside assistance. A jumpstarter holds onto enough juice to start a dead car or truck. This jumpstarter from Husky also doubles as a power source to charge a variety of electronic equipment. If your car battery is dead and so is your smartphone, you could be in deep trouble, but with the Husky you’ve got a better chance of overcoming this challenge and in record time.
I’ve carried a jumpstarter in my truck for a few years and I love it, but it’s extremely heavy and takes up a ton of space in the cab of my truck or the trunk of my car. I’ve also got a newer small jumpstarter, but unfortunately it has to be recharged often and I don’t really trust it. It also lacks the charging capabilities that the Husky has.
You can pickup the Husky jumpstarter at a Home Depot near you or order online.
Today Ford announced the return of the once popular Ford Ranger midsize truck to the American market. It’s been 7 years since Ford discontinued the Ranger, but it’s back and better than ever.
I had a 1991 Ford Ranger in college and it was the first truck in my long running love affair with Ford trucks. If was a 5-speed manual with a four cylinder that wouldn’t quit. I got it in Tucson and drove it for a few years in Seattle. It was only a two-wheel drive, but was nimble enough to handle my frequent ski runs to Alpental and beyond. I loved that truck and was sad to give it up. I stuck with Ford and have since owned a 1970 Ford Bronco and a 2001 and 2008 F-150. I’ve been tempted to jump back into a midsize truck after enjoying trips in the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado, but the F-150 always draws me back in. After a quick glance at the specs on the Ranger, I have no doubt it will sell well and push Chevy and Toyota to up their game.
The Ranger comes standard with a 2.3 liter six cylinder ecoboost and 10-speed automatic transmission. There’s no diesel available as of yet, but that could change in the near future. The trim levels are similar to the F-150, and the Ranger is available with a crew cab which makes it family ready. The new Ranger is squarely aimed at the younger urban dweller who needs a truck to handle their outdoor activities, but is nimble enough to park and good on gas.
The FX4 version offers plenty of off-road upgrades, but it’s no Raptor. We’d love to see one of these in Raptor form!
Luxury amenities can be found throughout the Ranger and the technology they’ve packed in this truck rival anything that Ford has available.
Production of the Ranger begins later this year so you’ll have to wait almost a year to get your hands on one. We’re curious how many aftermarket accessories will be available, but if the Colorado is any indication, manufacturers have already started developing overland and off-road gear.
The Toyota Tacoma has been a long time leader in this space, but Chevy and Ford are really putting the pedal to the floor with their offerings.
Hey hey hey! Guess who finished a project?! Whoop-whoop. I finally finished the recessed wall cabinet in the Jack and Jill water closet! This between the studs wall cabinet is the perfect place for toilet paper storage. As well as other bathroom necessities. Of course I installed doors because this is our real life bathroom. Even though […]
The post Recessed Wall Cabinet for Toilet Paper Storage appeared first on Sawdust Girl®.
We’ve been cable subscribers for years. We dabbled with DirectTV for a couple years, but came back to Time Warner for its convenience and performance. But after moving, we decided to start fresh, we cut the cord and haven’t looked back. So far the decision to ditch cable has been a great one, and here’s why.
Time Warner (now Spectrum) has the monopoly on cable service in our area of Los Angeles. Service has generally been good, but cost of simply having HBO, an additional sports package, HD channels, and internet service was nearing $200. Considering we don’t watch broadcast TV except for a few sports games, this was a cost we knew we could get down. Even with patchwork of media providers we are saving about $50 per month by not having cable.
Currently Spectrum is our best option for internet access, but we are constantly evaluating that. Wireless connections have allowed us to gain access to whatever channels we want, plus apps, and movies, all through our Roku device. We like Roku as they are a third party and less likely to get caught up in the media spats that limit the offerings from Apple, Amazon, and Google products.
We have been longtime streaming Netflix subscribers and Amazon Prime members. We just added HBO Now for Game of Thrones, and Hulu Live for sports and live network events. All of the services work seamlessly through our Roku device, but Hulu Live has a buffering issue that we are still trying to sort out. It causes delays that are totally inexcusable, considering there are no issues with any of our other services and we are getting more than 100 mbps download speeds.
If Hulu Live doesn’t shape up soon, we will switch to Sling TV or look for another option. Hulu Live is also the most expensive service, at $40 per month.
We picked up a new Sony 70″ television on a Black Friday deal, and installed it above our fireplace. We also grabbed the new Roku Streaming Stick Plus, which is self-powered by the TV and simply plugs into an open USB port. The only cables we have running are the power cables into the wall for the TV and Sonos Playbar and the optic audio cable connecting the Sonos Playbar to our TV.
It’s liberating not trying to find a place for a cable box and setting up an RF remote. We also made the choice to not hookup our Blu-Ray DVD player. Any movies we purchase are now on Amazon Prime and we can stream from anywhere.
We can control everything via the new Harmony remote or the App. It connects with our Sony TV, Roku, and our Sonos Playbar, but we do prefer to control Roku by its own remote.
We’re going to hookup our old TV downstairs and it will also be mounted on the wall, in an area that also doesn’t have room for a cable box. We’ll set that TV up on Roku and login to all of our accounts from down there as well.
We really don’t see any reason why anyone would not do away with cable or satellite television. We’ve all been locked into their costs and monopolies for far too long. Even heavy television watchers will find almost everything they need from a streaming service, and cut their media viewing bills by a lot.
If you are hesitant to cut the cord, at least call your cable or satellite company and tell them you want to cancel your service. They will do everything they can to keep you, including reducing your monthly bill by a significant amount.
IPE decking has become a popular material for building decks. IPE is an exotic hardwood that is naturally resistant to rot and decay. It’s 8X harder than California Redwood, and has a 40 year lifespan. All without the preservatives found in pressure treated lumber. These features make it an ideal wood to be used for building steps. Southern pine can be used for the base of the steps, but it’s all IPE up top.
Tony Stillwell and his son Mike had a need to build steps into their barn in North Carolina and they recently shared this project with us. Tony explains the math behind determining the slope of the stairs as well as the measurements he needed to fit stairs to their 36″ door opening. Adjust your plans as needed. Mike documented this DIY step building project with a series of gorgeous and inspiring photos.
Before building the steps you’ll need to make a solid foundation using bricks or pavers. These should be placed an inch or two below grade and level. Check the frostline if you have concerns of freezing in the winter.
The rest of the project is as follows from Tony.
The designer of any steps has an awesome responsibility not to make them difficult or dangerous to walk down or climb. To achieve this, we must take into account an easy slope to walk up, and each step must be consistent with all of the others. The builder of the steps has an additional responsibility to make the steps strong enough to take years of use.
A theoretically optimal slope for a human to climb is around 32 degrees. The slope is calculated as the Rise (overall height of the steps), divided by Run (the horizontal distance out from the edge of the threshold). In my case, the angle is about 29 degrees, which is shallow but not uncomfortable. Each step is 11” deep, and 5 9/16” above the next. Using 5 ½” wide ipê decking, we double up boards for each step.
You can think of the design as including the threshold as the top step, making 3 steps in our case. So I only have to measure and cut the stringers (the pieces of wood that support the steps) for 2 steps.
Divide the Rise (16 ¾”) by 3, and we are left with each step being 5 9/16” high, including the thickness of the ipê decking boards.
The stringers, 3 of them, are marked out on 2”x12” pressure treated boards, with the grain of the wood running diagonally for strength. Make sure that you make all cuts square and parallel: you want the structure to sit straight and support the decking. A table saw is useful to achieve this, but you can use a good portable jigsaw, or if you are feeling skillful and energetic, you may use a handsaw. In any case, mark out as accurately as you can and cut carefully to the line. You should not have to sand any surface you cut if you are accurate enough, but you may need a chisel to clean up surfaces.
When calculating how many stringers to make, allow for the decking to be supported on 16” centers or better.
In my case, the steps had to go in front of a 36” wide door, and so I used ipê decking 36” in length. I built a box structure with the stringers, and risers made out of 2” x 6” pressure treated boards, with stainless steel screws and construction adhesive. The structure is fastened onto the skirt of the building using angle brackets and galvanized nails.
I fastened the decking onto the structure using the same stainless steel screws (but no adhesive). You may use coated steel decking screws, but I like to over-build, since I’m not paying anyone for my labor.
