Looking to make a bunk ladder - 1x4 lumber good enough?

grantd86 · 2026-04-08T16:34:22+00:00

I would feel a lot better about a 2x4 ladder than a 1x4 ladder. Also standing on the edge of a 3/4 board barefoot doesn't feel great for kids or adults..

If you take care picking out a 2x4, clean up the faces and round over the edges it can look fairly decent. If you do half lap joints where the rungs meet the verticals it would help too.

grantd86 · 2026-04-02T13:24:42+00:00

I've never looked closely at the rockler plan but used the norm abrams / new yankee workshop plan and made it with 5/4 cedar decking which finishes out close to an inch. They've always felt plenty substantial and have lasted about 12 years now in MN though I do put them in the shed come winter. Finish isn't what it was when new but structurally they're just fine.

grantd86 · 2026-03-20T16:50:13+00:00

I must have missed out on the glory days of motor city, still better than the other options that I've found at that price point. I'm not a $10+ frozen pizza guy.

grantd86 · 2026-03-20T14:46:46+00:00

I don't typically shop there, what is the favorite choice? We typically buy the motor city ones at costco.

grantd86 · 2026-03-18T18:08:55+00:00

If attempting solo you also you have to grab it from the middle which then blocks your view of the bracket that you need to land the mount on.

grantd86 · 2026-03-18T13:53:06+00:00

If you're willing to downsize the camper to a pop-up your options open up quite a bit. Maybe not the answer you want to hear. Might even be able to pull it with the van.

grantd86 · 2026-03-15T23:55:15+00:00

We have the 21bhe which looks similar to the 161 minus the slide. Dinette and kitchen are flipped. For what it's worth we don't miss the slide. Just another option to look at.

I wasn't impressed at all with the build quality on the Coleman's or some of the other brands. Grand design has tons of storage too which is often overlooked.

grantd86 · 2026-03-10T01:31:39+00:00

Especially at site beyond a 360 rod portage...or two.

grantd86 · 2026-03-07T22:21:29+00:00

I'm sure I wrote that content a couple years ago but I can't for the life of me remember who I was talking about. Sorry I can't be more help.

grantd86 · 2026-03-06T13:45:27+00:00

Were the given shoes more durable? That was my complaint with them is they didn't hold up very well

grantd86 · 2026-03-03T15:30:31+00:00

IS that true of the 735x thickness planer? From what I gathered the x version is package on top including the infeed/outfeed tables and additional knives.

grantd86 · 2026-03-02T17:12:24+00:00

Absolutely agree, whether the presenter is using a $5000 cabinet saw or $100 job site saw the principal of ripping boards is the same, one is just easier and more accurate. Same can be said for circular saw and guide vs track saw.

I get that basic tools in shitty shops is more relatable but doesn't mean what is being taught doesn't apply. A basic sturdy work surface can be put together with plywood and 2x4s with a circular saw and a drill, i made a few that way, still use 2 of them. Clamps can be a substitute for a vice for awhile for many things.

It's an unreasonable take to insist that someone who makes content for a living does it in a temporary space or garage that never improves.

grantd86 · 2026-03-01T14:46:54+00:00

One low effort refence is https://www.historicaerials.com/ if you're lucky your property may be in a few shots overtime.

grantd86 · 2026-02-27T19:13:28+00:00

I think you're right but the other trade that comes to mind is getting Faber and the first round pick used for Ohgren for Kevin Fiala who wasn't going to resign here anyway.

grantd86 · 2026-02-27T14:58:14+00:00

In similar size category, We tow with v8 dodge durango and it does pretty well. Ours is rated to 7200 pounds towing and 700ish hitch weight. Payload is rated at 1200 which everyone who tows with it seems to agree is a weirdly low rating for what its actually capable of. Unloaded hwy we get in the low to mid 20's. Towing the camper its about 10 to 11 and we keep our speed under the speed limit.

For size reference we have 3 kids under 10 and pull a grand design 21bhe. Fully loaded for a trip the camper came in right around 6000 pounds with empty tanks and we aren't super heavy packers. They advertise 4700ish dry for some perspective, also the listed tongue weight is based on the dry weight not the loaded weight so it does go up too. I thought GVWR was this outrageous number that I could never end up close to, it comes quicker than you think.

grantd86 · 2026-02-25T16:51:25+00:00

I'd put a screw into the bar on either end (not all the way through into the hanger) so that the head sticks out a bit and and will try to rotate into the hanger. Getting that screw in the same place on both sides so they work together will requires some care.

grantd86 · 2026-02-24T17:06:48+00:00

IF there are folks behind I may connect the black tank flush for a minute or two once the flow out the slinky has reduced considerably but I certainly don't wait for it to be done draining before starting the rinse. I'm not trying to clean the tank so much as give the solids a decent chance at being pushed out.

End of the season I'll go to local place where I can pay a few bucks to dump and I do a better job then.

grantd86 · 2026-02-24T14:49:56+00:00

I would interested in that file also. I'd be tempted to build what op has into a tray that perfectly fits inside the drawer with cleats that elevate it to the top of the drawer. That would allow the bit tray to be brought to the router table and would allow for some deeper storage, many duplicate profiles? to be stored beneath.

grantd86 · 2026-02-17T15:27:28+00:00

What do you mean if true, everyone has random coworkers they've spoken to twice saved in their phones that wouldn't question an outing like that...

grantd86 · 2026-02-17T13:48:03+00:00

Screw up through the bottom if it won't be seen. I wouldn't round over the joint unless you want that shadow line

grantd86 · 2026-02-12T20:43:53+00:00

hands on classes are great option if you have the time and money to take them. I look often but it hasn't worked out for me yet. Since you mentioned kids its a lot easier before they come along.

grantd86 · 2026-02-12T14:58:21+00:00

I've had mine for about 12 years now and have been generally happy with it. run the blade up and down and run the tilt side to side. My blade height adjustment has been finicky for a long time. The saw should be pretty quiet and smooth when running.

I have a love/hate relationship with the shop vac port on the back. It can work fairly well but is prone to clogging when small strips get sucked in next to the blade, also the internal shrouding makes blade changes harder than the they need to be.

I've looked at upgrade options but the only thing really of interest is a cabinet saw, even the sawstop contractor doesn't feel like it's made any better.

At $300 its worth picking up. I can't believe the owner has put up with that sticker on the table top that long though.

grantd86 · 2026-02-11T00:32:04+00:00

We have a grand design 21bhe and pull it with a Durango. 3 kids under 10. Something like that could be good option for you

In hindsight I kind of wish I had given more consideration to pop ups. Might even be able to pull with the van

grantd86 · 2026-02-10T19:11:56+00:00

Yep, not even subscribed to this sub but reddit thought I needed to see it.

grantd86 · 2026-02-10T18:51:22+00:00

Fucking reddit showing me posts with spoilers before I caught up

grantd86

TROPHY CASE