Hondo Garage's New Thing

What did you have? I've struggled to find one that gets good reviews. Most forums I have read up on seem to indicate anything less than an old bridgeport is a waste of time. Seems absurd to me, but I am not much of a machinist.

I wish I had the space for something like that.

 

I'd love an SLT file when you come to a final design, if that's possible. FormLabs with the durable resin turns out some pretty...well, durable parts. Worth a shot at least.

 

One of the difficult things will be ensuring there is enough depth to the pole pocket to keep it in when wind blows without having a big bulky chunk sticking off the extrusion.

 

This is exactly what I was thinking for when mine arrived. Though about even making triangular fabric pieces that could zip in on the sides to make a mini "annex" around the opening similar to the traditional RTT.

 

That would be cool. With the sides enclosed it could be left open for airflow even if it was raining pretty heavily.

 

That was what I was hoping for. And it would add some extra privacy.

 

$1.50 ARB replacement window rods, part number OS3045

https://www.pfadventure.com/product/arb-series-iii-simpson-rooftop-tent-803101-2-2-2-2-2-2-2/

 

Biggest problem with my gfc so far is the bed rails and the shovel mount t nuts don’t rotate.

I took off my shovel mounts so as not to interfere with gfc install, and can’t get them back on. I ordered the gfc t nuts because of this.

Clearly not a gfc problem.

Camping this weekend for a maiden voyage.

 

I placed an accessories order Wednesday and tracking has it arriving Monday. Sheets and t-nuts.

I had the back gfc window tinted today. The only issue is the sliding glass of the cab is factory tinted, so looking through two tinted windows might be pretty difficult at night while driving. No issue during the day on the drive home. Most important, you can’t see into the camper from outside and it should stay cooler.

 

I had a used harbor freight mill that was upgraded with DRO’s. For light aluminum machining, it worked perfect. I would mill my own motorcycle parts. It worked great for that. I also wish I had room for a Bridgeport but the HF worked just fine for the light machining I was doing. Bought it and then sold it a few years later for what I paid for it. Even the HF mill is extremely hard to come by and people don’t let them go.

 

That looks great. It should work perfect. I’m going to have to start watching sketch up tutorials. Looks like a great skill to have.

 

Any pictures? How dark did you go/how much did it cost if you don’t mind me asking? I want to get a quote soon

 

Who’s trashing it? I’m all for engineering and physics, especially considering I am one. I just don’t happen to agree with some of the design concepts, features from having used similar designs/features in real world aka in the field and put to work. Which is why I pulled out as I didn’t think it would be something I’d be happy with.

Overall I think this is a superb product

 

I can do pictures this weekend, but it won’t show much other than a darker window.

Quotes were from $60-80 for the single window. I don’t know the exact % on mine. It is a step lighter than Limo tint. The next step lighter than what I got allowed too much of the interior to be visible from the sample glass plates I looked through.

I wanted to err on the side of too dark rather than too light since I spend a lot of time in the desert and don’t drive much at night. When I open the rear slider it definitely makes a difference in overall light as well.

 

Perfect this I just the info I wanted! Thank you!

 

If you're concerned with security, here's a film designed to slow or prevent entry from a burglar. It's not tinted but you could tint the other side of the window. Maybe there are some tinted versions on the market.

$36 8 Mil Security Window Film 30" Wide x 6.5 ft. Roll

https://www.amazon.com/Security-Window-Film-Wide-Roll/dp/B004LDBPY2

 

That is interesting.

If people want it, they will get it. I just wanted the “out of site, out of mind” protection. Blocking heat was equally important.

 

A good cordless drill motor with a 4" hole saw would make quick work of light aluminum plate. A cordless sawzall/ working in conjunction with the drill motor providing the pilot hole would be optimum. One of those cordless tool kits is likely in any serious thief's quiver.

 

First GFC mod. Was camping in grizzly country last weekend and realized with my cooler in the bed, I wanted the ability to latch, and therefore unlatch, the panels from inside. Just enough room to drill a hole and get a 1/16" cable on the inside of the latch. Works perfect.

 

I was just unzipping the bottom of the big window and reaching down to unlock them.