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Above 1200 Sq/FT The Salvage Garage

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Strouty

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Mar 21, 2010
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Southern Maine
I think I am going to start working on taking everything out of all the shops that I don’t need in there, I don’t think this is going to be a quick process, but I have come to the conclusion that there are things that are tripping me up right now because my projects have piled up too high. Hopefully there will be a spring auction, then I can unload a bunch of stuff without much effort. I need to be able to function and right now I don’t think I have one space (including the office) where I can actually function.
 
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Strouty

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Joined
Mar 21, 2010
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38,215
Location
Southern Maine
Yesterday was the first day using the new miter saw for metal, we had 20' lengths of 4" channel that needed to be cut into 33 1/2" pieces for a project. The saw has an all aluminum base and the base is about three feet wide, they only put four rubber "feet" on the outside corners, the middle section has so much material missing that while cutting longer pieces, you can actually flex it up and down 3/16" overall. This was only obvious when a 5' long (or longer) piece was in there, but I suspect that over time it will end up cracking in the middle area even with shorter pieces. We had some 4" blocks to use as spacers for in feed and out feed, but the base is 4 1/4" tall, not sure why all these saw manufacturers do this, but I have not had one yet where the base was a "normal" dimension. Seems like a no brainer to design it so in feed and out feed could be spaced up with something normal, like a 4" box tube or made so you can use 4x4 lumber. My plan is to make a nice stand for it so I don't need to work off the floor and the stand will have supports that raise up to catch the middle of the saw base, then I can drill a couple more holes through the saw base to bolt it solid and tru to the stand. I think that will make the saw last much longer. Other than that, the saw was a nice working unit, the clamps are a bit weird at first, but the adjustability makes up for the awkward first impressions. Once I get to cutting the miter pieces for the gate, it will really be useful, it can cut a 4x4 tube at a 45 degree angle, I can't remember a time that I have needed to miter cut anything larger than that.
 

racer-john

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Joined
Apr 1, 2008
Messages
1,461
Location
Newmarket, ON Canada
Yesterday was the first day using the new miter saw for metal, we had 20' lengths of 4" channel that needed to be cut into 33 1/2" pieces for a project. The saw has an all aluminum base and the base is about three feet wide, they only put four rubber "feet" on the outside corners, the middle section has so much material missing that while cutting longer pieces, you can actually flex it up and down 3/16" overall. This was only obvious when a 5' long (or longer) piece was in there, but I suspect that over time it will end up cracking in the middle area even with shorter pieces. We had some 4" blocks to use as spacers for in feed and out feed, but the base is 4 1/4" tall, not sure why all these saw manufacturers do this, but I have not had one yet where the base was a "normal" dimension. Seems like a no brainer to design it so in feed and out feed could be spaced up with something normal, like a 4" box tube or made so you can use 4x4 lumber. My plan is to make a nice stand for it so I don't need to work off the floor and the stand will have supports that raise up to catch the middle of the saw base, then I can drill a couple more holes through the saw base to bolt it solid and tru to the stand. I think that will make the saw last much longer. Other than that, the saw was a nice working unit, the clamps are a bit weird at first, but the adjustability makes up for the awkward first impressions. Once I get to cutting the miter pieces for the gate, it will really be useful, it can cut a 4x4 tube at a 45 degree angle, I can't remember a time that I have needed to miter cut anything larger than that.ve the clamp
Make yourself a 45* wedge to fit in the clamp, then you won't have to move the clamp from the 90* position I even made a 22.5* one for my bandsaw. Very handy.
 
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86turbodsl

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Jul 1, 2005
Messages
6,556
Location
Michigan
hoyt, that's about when i started with linux. Redhat 4/5 I think? around 95/6. I remember hearing years ago that eventually everyone ends up at debian. I did.
 

Orionrising

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Joined
Nov 16, 2012
Messages
960
Location
Western Maine
Make the out feed at like 5" and mount the saw on some leveling bolts. Or to a plate mounted on bolts so you can adjust it to level with the outfeed, rather the making outfeed match saw. And with a solid outfeed it should take most of the weight unless is really heavy short stock.
 
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Strouty

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Mar 21, 2010
Messages
38,215
Location
Southern Maine
The in/out feed may end up being adjustable regardless, that way I can use it for multiple saws, maybe, the other two saws are much lower than what I think I would want the miter saw to be, but I need to play around with things.
 
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Strouty

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Mar 21, 2010
Messages
38,215
Location
Southern Maine
I was out with he GF, test driving new cars, think she has what she wants figured out, now we are trying to decide if it will be a lease or buy. I am into research mode, lots to understand with a lease, lots more than I expected.
 

Craptain

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Joined
Apr 18, 2013
Messages
4,028
Location
Tampa Bay FL
I leased a car many years ago. When the lease was coming to the end I looked at the whole costs vs buying. Overall it had cost me thousands more than if I had bought. And honestly I couldn't find any real advantage from leasing except for the slightly lower payments. The lease buyout was attractive but not attractive enough. And at the time I couldn't get any tax advantage, as it wasn't business use. I've paid cash for used, but good cars ever since.
 

kent_323is

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Joined
Nov 13, 2009
Messages
274
Location
South Dakota
My mother in law leases. She wants a newer car every 2 years, that's important to her, and she has plenty of money.
We bought our vehicles... 1 new, and 1 a few years old. The "new" one is now 6 years old and paid off. Used one is getting close to being paid off, and fortunately bought when interest rates were low. We'll drive our vehicles for a long time, so it makes sense to buy. I can also fix any issues, so having a new one all the time doesn't make sense.
I think for most people, buying a vehicle, either cash or financing makes the most sense, but for a few people, leasing is better. Do what makes sense for you!
 
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Strouty

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Mar 21, 2010
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Southern Maine
I think it may make sense for the GF, but I am still learning the lingo. She is stuck on a payment number and everything is being driven by this number, problem is, she was already driving what would have been a “high end” car, so the new ones not having certain features is frustrating he. As soon as she gets the features, the payment is not where she wants it to be. I think she is being a bit unrealistic, but I was trying not to start an argument on Valentine’s Day in the middle of a dealership. At this point I have learned that there is a good MSRP to payment ratio and the cars she was looking at are outside that ratio making it a bad deal. I also learned about a “money factor”, essentially a way to hide the APR you are being charged. As I told her today, it may be that leasing is only worth it for either a really expensive car or one where they really need to get them off the lot. She has $10k to use as a down payment, but with interest rates being so high right now, she can’t get her monthly payment (the unrealistic one) where she wants it unless she spends less than $26k and that doesn’t buy much at all right now especially when you need all wheel drive.
 
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Strouty

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Mar 21, 2010
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Southern Maine
For “unknown” reasons, had we done this two years ago, she would be styling, used cars are selling over original MSRP, but somehow the interest rates have spiked and now I see the trend going backwards. I still can’t figure out what happens two years ago to make this change????
 

ttpete

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Mar 8, 2011
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6,737
Location
Dearborn, MI
For “unknown” reasons, had we done this two years ago, she would be styling, used cars are selling over original MSRP, but somehow the interest rates have spiked and now I see the trend going backwards. I still can’t figure out what happens two years ago to make this change????
Covid and the chip shortage.
 

walrus

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Joined
Nov 12, 2008
Messages
11,679
Location
Maine
When the local GMC and Chevy dealer have 0 new trucks on the lot for months at a time you can bet prices on what comes in is going up. I went by the other day and they weren't like pre covid but at least the front rows were filled with new stuff. Glad I'm not in the market for a new truck or a new car
 
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Strouty

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Mar 21, 2010
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38,215
Location
Southern Maine
I think if she can be a bit more realistic about the payment, she can deal with things better, but to her, she can't get over a $500 payment when she wants it to be $350. If she wants the payment to be less, I told her rather than putting the money down on a lease, just keep it in a savings account and take out the extra $150 a month from that. My biggest concern is if the car is totaled it seems like any money paid in advance is a loss. Regardless, we haven't looked at anything other than the Mazdas yet, at least from a numbers standpoint on the lease front. If we can find all the right numbers, then she could have an upside trading it early, or she could have a decent buyout at the end of the term. I don't want her leasing something that crashes in value and the buyout is ridiculous. My Snap On dealer was talking to me about his truck lease, he is almost done and the local dealership is offering him $38k and his buyout is $22k.
 

Bob Heine

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Oct 24, 2009
Messages
10,706
Location
Boca Raton, Florida
I make my car payments first, long before I go looking for a car. I put $450 a month into a reasonably safe investment (Costco) for four years. I was looking for a 2009 or newer Cadillac CTS-V with an automatic for $40,000 or less. In 2016 I found a 2011 with 11,700 miles on it at a dealer six miles from my house. I brought a personal check for $40,000 to the dealer. The dealer was firm at $41,500 so I walked away. When I got home Liane said to give the guy the $1,500 if it's the car you want. I went to the bank for a new (certified) check and drove the car home. That $21,600 investment paid for the car with money left over in the account. Another investment is currently making $500 a month payments toward the next car.

Even with great credit, that car (with no down payment) would cost $655 a month for 84 months (7 years) with used car financing. I would be pissed if I paid $55,020 for that car. I'm still happy with the purchase seven years later but I can't imagine still making payments on it (I bought it in May 2016). Of course I'm not that bright because we settled for a less expensive home to avoid a mortgage. I prefer to put my money to work for me rather than put me to work for a money lender. Being rich might be fun but life with zero debt and little stress works for me.
 

jollygreengiant

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Nov 10, 2013
Messages
2,359
Location
Ontario, Canada
I make my car payments first, long before I go looking for a car. I put $450 a month into a reasonably safe investment (Costco) for four years. I was looking for a 2009 or newer Cadillac CTS-V with an automatic for $40,000 or less. In 2016 I found a 2011 with 11,700 miles on it at a dealer six miles from my house. I brought a personal check for $40,000 to the dealer. The dealer was firm at $41,500 so I walked away. When I got home Liane said to give the guy the $1,500 if it's the car you want. I went to the bank for a new (certified) check and drove the car home. That $21,600 investment paid for the car with money left over in the account. Another investment is currently making $500 a month payments toward the next car.

Even with great credit, that car (with no down payment) would cost $655 a month for 84 months (7 years) with used car financing. I would be pissed if I paid $55,020 for that car. I'm still happy with the purchase seven years later but I can't imagine still making payments on it (I bought it in May 2016). Of course I'm not that bright because we settled for a less expensive home to avoid a mortgage. I prefer to put my money to work for me rather than put me to work for a money lender. Being rich might be fun but life with zero debt and little stress works for me.

What are these costco investments you speak of?
 

jollygreengiant

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Nov 10, 2013
Messages
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Ontario, Canada
I think if she can be a bit more realistic about the payment, she can deal with things better, but to her, she can't get over a $500 payment when she wants it to be $350. If she wants the payment to be less, I told her rather than putting the money down on a lease, just keep it in a savings account and take out the extra $150 a month from that. My biggest concern is if the car is totaled it seems like any money paid in advance is a loss. Regardless, we haven't looked at anything other than the Mazdas yet, at least from a numbers standpoint on the lease front. If we can find all the right numbers, then she could have an upside trading it early, or she could have a decent buyout at the end of the term. I don't want her leasing something that crashes in value and the buyout is ridiculous. My Snap On dealer was talking to me about his truck lease, he is almost done and the local dealership is offering him $38k and his buyout is $22k.

Man I would have a hard time stomaching $500/month for a car payment, especially for a Mazda.
 
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Strouty

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Mar 21, 2010
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38,215
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Southern Maine
Unfortunately for her, right now interest rates are bad, supply and demand is not in the buyer's favor and she doesn't have enough to buy it outright. Everything used is so expensive it isn't even funny, guess it may be time to bend over.
 
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Strouty

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Southern Maine
I feel like I haven't done anything yet today and it is already noon. I need to get over to the Salvage Garage and try to get my gate posts figured out. I was at the site yesterday doing some test fitting to make sure the design wasn't too far off the mark.
 
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Strouty

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Mar 21, 2010
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Southern Maine
I agree, also a terrible time to have a backlog of projects that you are tripping over with a bum arm. That is what is killing me right now. I hope to have my gate project done by the end of February. That should help substantially. I also need to get the trailer out of the shop at the Hill and do a clean up so I can get Perk inside and get the transmission swap done, I don’t think the clutch will last another summer and I need the PTO upgraded so the crane works like it should. In the midst of all that I need to fix my GF’s current car to find out if it is worth putting more effort into it if it gets shipped to the auction.
 
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Strouty

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Mar 21, 2010
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38,215
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Southern Maine
So is starting the day at 3:40 PM a bad thing?

I am not even sure I can start, all I am going to do is try and get things ready for tomorrow, I need to pickup a sheet of 3/16" steel, but the weather may not be cooperative anyways, might have to regroup a bit.
 

casmurbax

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Sep 25, 2012
Messages
2,758
Location
Wilton, NY
I thought I saw a commercial recently that some mfg had 0.0% going on....

in regards to your bum arm. Tell @Bob Heine and I what you need to do and we can tell you how to do it one handed, we have over 80+ years of single handedly getting things done. between the two us.
 
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FullRaceMerc

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Jan 9, 2015
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3,852
Location
SoCal (SGV)
Unfortunately for her, right now interest rates are bad, supply and demand is not in the buyer's favor and she doesn't have enough to buy it outright. Everything used is so expensive it isn't even funny, guess it may be time to bend over.
Have you looked at any Subarus? My daughter bought a new AWD Outback (bigger SUV) & loves it. My wife drove it, loved it, then bought a used AWD Crosstrek (smaller SUV) for herself. She likes it, but after driving it for awhile, she will probably get a roomier car next time. I think the Crosstrek prices are more reasonable than some of the competition. I haven't checked Outback or Forester prices.

At our future retirement place the steep loose driveway is tough to get 2wd drive vehicles up the hill. My 2wd F-250 & my wife's previous 2wd Escape had to go too fast over the rough terrain to get to the top. They can get there, but it beats them up too badly to do so. My Bronco doesn't care, so it's doing mule duties there currently. Between tearing a biceps tendon & current health issues, I haven't been able to deal with the drive. That, & I don't have Strouty's super strength & endurance. 😁 Those Subies creep up that lousy drive like it was flat ground.
 
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