Trying to travel with tools: options??
I’m looking for some regional help, here. My brother retired from the Air Force in Abilene Tx a few years ago, and is in the middle of completing his bachelors degree. In the mean time, his house needs some desperate attention. I told him I would replace a series of sliding glass doors by framing in a pre-hung double door. I’ll have to frame in and match siding, etc. No problem there. BUT, I live in NJ, and I don’t think airlines would take kindly to my taking my nail guns and saws on a plane! So, any recommendations of a rental place, or someone who might have a second set of tools in Abilene TX? I need a compressor and framing gun, chop saw, level, etc. Things to frame and hang an exterior door.
1)If there is any one out there in Abilene who can give me some guidance, that would be great, or;
2)If anyone has travelled recently on a plane with tools, maybe I am too quick to give up. If you have suggestions for that, it would be appreciated, as well. Thanks. I am going late April or May.
Big Bob
Edited 3/16/2003 5:22:59 PM ET by big bob
Replies
bob,
i guess i would start by calling the airline. as long as you check the stuff, and make it easy to inspect, i would think you could take most of what you need.
big box stores rent guns (cordless and conventional), chop saws, or they may be a dedicated tool rental place there too.
make your bro buy you a new level when you get there, then check it home in a mailing tube...
good luck.
I will call the airlines once I know which airline he is going to fly me in on! I imagine i'll get 10 different answers if i call the same airline 10 times. thought i would see if any one had any experience themselves. good idea on the rental, i'll check it out.
Consider UPS -- I have shipped backpack stoves via UPS when flying to the Rockies and CA for trips, since airlines won't allow them.
I may have to do that.... but hate to think of the cost of the weight! Probably would rent at least the compressor, and hopefully the chop saw.
I believe the airlines are getting more strict about the weight of your checked baggage. May be cheaper to have UPS deliver it or buy it its own ticket.bobl Volo Non Voleo Joe's BT Forum cheat sheet
That is exactly my concern. before 9/11, my son went on a church trip with all sorts of tools. There is a much different atmostphere now. especially with nail guns! Gotta have the guns to get things done quickly.
Bob,
I have had similar problems in the past, but haven't travelled with tools since the recent increased airport security. In the past, I just packed cardboard boxes and made them not look like tools to avoid theivery. My approach would be to try the local home depots first - checking on their web site, there are at least 3 within an hour of Abilene. the ones around here rent decent nail guns and compressors, so it would be worth calling them ahead and seeing if carrying your own stuff is really worth it.
Hope this helps. rich.
good points. Thanks.
Dang, put your levels in fishing rod tubes, or make some up out of PVC. I'm pretty sure miter boxes are considered carry on...now, the nail guns sound like the real problem, but I think you could tell them the hose is not connected to your compressor at home...or are you a Pasload packer? EliphIno!
good to go on the pvc, chop saw is what I use for "mitre box", and I WISH had a Pasload!
I just got done flying from Ia to NY and back with some of my tools in bags. They did a check on my bags at LaGuardia and didn't even bat an eye. I had a sawsall, jigsaw, cordless drill and a PC saw, along with some handtools in the boxes. You are limited on the # of bags you can check. I had 2 fairly large duffel type bags I checked and a briefcase for carry on
For my bigger tools, I either rent them there or drive out with them. I've also had a local trucker who delivers custom cabinet work to the NY area offer to deliver for me. You might check around
View Image
great update. just what I was hoping for from someone who has traveled with his stuff. Thanks!
Save yourself all the worries and back ache of packing the power tools by renting them when you get there.
You miss 100% of the shots you never take."
Wayne Greztky
Dear Big Bob,
I've thought a few moments about your dilemma and it seems to me that you could go PRIMITIVE. You don't really need a framing gun or a power miter saw since this doesn't seem to be such a big job. It's your skills and experience that are needed.
What I would do is fly ouAsk This Old House: He shows the homeowner how to do it and then let's them go at it. Like mark the line t to Abilene on an airplane with a little checkbook. Buy your brother some basic tools like a cheap Black & Decker round saw [circular?] and speedsquare, cordless hammer and stuff like that. If you have to sever a big piece like a 4" X 12" then use the technique as shown by General Tommy Silva on Ask This Old House: Mark the line and start the cut and show him how to move the saw back and forth. If he was truly in the military, he should be good at going back and forth.
Rant on PBS
I haven't seen Ask This Old House for four weeks now. First there was a power failure -which I can't blame them for. Then Mr. Goers died and the old biddies replaced it with Jimmy Carter's cardigan sweater. And now they're in the throes of begging for money so they replace ATOH with Suzy Osmand explaining how to turn that spare $100,000 I have laying around into a million. They have ads, quote: "Pledge now because we bring you great shows like Nova." But they don't show Nova. Instead they show 60's folksingers for the third time this week.
End of Rant
~Peter
Don't try this at home.
I am a trained...
I considered this, but time is of the issue..... I won't have that much time. Not afraid of skill saw at all, acutally. Not happy about hand nailing!! But not impossible. Just want to get as much done as I can in a short period of time. Thanks for the response!
Big Bob
BB
I see the problem as you are limited to 2 check-in bags and a carry on bag. Chop-saw is 1 bag , some hand tools and nail guns are the other check-in. your carry on has to be real innoncent. Most tools can be a problem there. Don't ask the airlines squat cause you will get 10 different answers and chances are that all 10 are wrong. Call the TSA (can't remember what it stands for , but they are the new airport screeners. Don't worry about normal air guns (pasloads are a whole diffrent kettle of fish) Heck I fly with a rifle (checked ) and tools all the time up here in Alaska.
Like I said , space (and weight) is the problem. Hope your brother wears the same size clothes as you. UPS might not be a bad idea if you have to have a lot of stuff
T
Last summer I flew from Portland Me to Portland OR with 3 framed stained glass windows I had bought. They were each about 18x24x2", and I put them diagonally in a big square box, packed with peanuts, and they flew fine. A chop saw would pack up about the same. I think they have a 70 lB limit on each bag, and also a maximum LxHxW dimension.
Flying with guns is no different than before except when you have to deal with the advanced screening. Legally, the case is locked at check-in and only *you* have the key. Most of the TSA *professionals* are starting to get that fact through their heads. If flying with tools in a locked case like a pelican, I'd run a locking cable through all the trigger guards on the power tools, and lock smaller tools in a separate case inside the bigger case, with the cable lock running through the handle. The whole goal of airport security (us securing our goods from airport employees) is to make them big and bulky and also take more than a few minutes to steal.
bob, you could pack most of what you described in a hard case golf bag carrier.. the chop saw is the bulkiest...maybe bro wants to buy one
if you can part with them for a while you could box them and ship it yellow freight before you leave.. say two weeks ..Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
good idea. I don't play golf and never thought of that. I worry about shipping my chop saw in anything other than a strong and secure box. For that reason, I will probably follow several posts and check into renting one. I could use my skill saw for the framing, but there will be some trim invovled, and overall, I will only have a couple of days to tear out, lay out and install. chop saw will save me time. Good idea, though... I will pursue that. thanks.
big bob
Interresting thread . UPS is quick and would ship what you have in boxes.
Tim Mooney
was at HD today. thought about this thread
their nailers both finish and frame were $30/day
the CMS was a rigid and when I looked at the blade Ithought ummmm? Guess that would go for anywhere for a finish type cut.bobl Volo Non Voleo Joe's BT Forum cheat sheet
good stuff. I think i will call down there and see what's up with HD in Abilene.
If you can fit your guns in with the clothes your taking in your suit case they will take them under the plane, I've done that before when I bought one in Houston and brought it back with me to Kansas.
You are allowed two carry on's on most airlines, take a back with the stuff that won't fit in the suit case because of the nailers, and take your four foot level in a case in the other, It should fit in most over head bins.
and just rent the saw down there, or use it as an excuse to get a new one, and then ship it home UPS
Least thats what I would do.Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professional build the Titanic.
That was one option. I was concerned about theft of items in luggage, however. Since I use soft-sided luggage, putting tools in my checked luggage was less than attractive. I did put some hand tools in on the way back and it worked fine. I didn't want to put anything expensive in there, however.
I was going to rent the saw until someone on this forum offered to let me use theirs. Why pay extra when I can have what I need for however long I needed it! It worked great. Thanks for the input.
Big Bob
Edited 5/20/2003 10:10:00 AM ET by big bob
It is probably a gaurantee they will search your bags if they x-ray and see the nailers, they did it to mine, so don't lock them, they bust the lock if they can't open it. I use zip ties now. Two weeks ago I flew home from ohio and they searched my checked luggage, I had a little not inside explaining they did it and why, and it was legal, blah blah blah. The nice thing was my bag was packed neater when I got home then it was when I checked it lolNever be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professional build the Titanic.
great point. Come to think of it, the way I packed my bag, they might NOT have found the nailers!! I'll keep that in mind for next time. Thanks!
Big Bob
http://www.tsa.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/tsa_ppitems.pdfbobl Volo Non Voleo
Tim,
I know UPS would ship, but I worry about weight and cost. I may do that with my cordless tools. I'm going to call the Abilene HD to check on rentals there. thanks.
Big Bob
FYI. Abilene has no HD. Lowes does not rent. Found a tool rental that does it all. Think I will rent a compressor, and chop saw. Will pack my own nail guns and cordless tools, etc. thanks for all the input.
Big Bob
Abilinean here- New HD just opened a couple of months ago (915) 690-1032 Sorry to disappoint you but I called them and they don't rent air compressors or chop saws.
Other good sources for rental equipment:
Sam's Rent-All (915) 690-9397
Templeton Equipment Company (915) 673-7361
I'll scratch around and see what else I can come up with.
Look me up when you get to town. Not much here for entertainment but we've got some great local restaurants.
Wouldn't be the first time I had lunch with a Yankee :-)>
Have a safe trip- Hope to meet you when you get to town.
Kevin Halliburton
"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man." -Elbert Hubbard-
Hey Y'all. (just practicing)
I talked to Mike at Templeton. Said he had everything I was looking for. Sounds like a helpful guy. My brother retired from the air force, ( he worked metal on everything from Air Force One on down!) but he doesn't do wood!. I do wood, but not metal... we should make a great pair. I would like to look you up. email me direct with your information. I'll give you my brother's information at that point.
Big bob
Greyhound and Fedex ground are very reasonable to ship large packages.Tom
Big Bob,
Your the first person I've tried e-mailing directly from the forum so I don't know if I did it right. Did you get my message yesterday?
By the way, is your brother an "ACU Wildcat", "McMurry Indian", "HSU Cowboy" or a "CJC Wrangler"? In addition to great cuisine, Abilene has more than its share of good colleges.
Kevin Halliburton
"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man." -Elbert Hubbard-
I am Bobs brother. I am an HSU Cowboy. Studying Criminal Justice.
I travel a lot with exceeding heavy and strange things (acid in glass bottles, pumps, hazardous waste, 60-pound lead-acid batteries, lots of hand and power tools, etc)
All domestic airlines let you travel with two each 70-pound pieces of checked baggage (total = 140, but neither may exceed 70). Most allow total dimensions (H+L+W) of 62 inches (each piece) but double check on your airlines website.
Often they'll waive the excess baggage fee if I have a somewhat larger piece or a third piece, but I have primier status. For the folks back in steerage, they'll ding you every chance they get.
Nail guns? Chop Saw? Drills? No problem. They may open your luggage. And if you lock it, they may cut the lock and put a TSA nylon tie in its place.
Batteries for cordless tools? Always allowed, I've taken 7 or so with me at times. But maybe print out the rules from the airlines website and take it with you. Then you can show the clerk what the rules are. If you call and talk to someone. Note their name, time, phone number. I've stood firm with, "Mary Smith at the MVP desk in Tempe said at 8:32 pm on Jan 2nd that a sealed gel cell lead-acid battery is allowed if packed in an insulating materials and with the terminals capped. The number is 1-888-633-6929, please call her/them if you have any questions." Basically, I show up knowing the rules better than the ticket agent, but that is for wierd stuff. Tools? No problem.
Note that if your stuff is not in an American Tourister suitcase (or some other kind of typical luggage), they'll make you sign a waiver that they are not responsible for damage. Even if the double cardboard box or plywood carrying case or metal, Milwaukee case is clearly stronger than a roller suitcase. I haven't found a way around that. Pack your clothes WITH your tools. Use then to pad the tools from each other, wrapping each tool in a shirt or sweater. And always keep a toothbrush and clean underwear in your carry-on (but not your metal nailfile, god forbid!) in case you or your luggage is delayed.
David Thomas Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
Great info! Thanks.
big bob
Hmmmm... a metal guy studying criminal justice in Abilene. I'm thinking I might be able to work out a deal here.
How about the use of my compressor and chop saw in exchange for some body work and a little legal advice? :-)>
Seriously, look me up if you need another hand with your project when Big Bob gets here. My wife and I are building a house so my free time is limited but I might be able to spare a few hours to help out a former Dyess airman.
20 years hu? Hey, welcome to Breaktime and thanks for your contribution to our freedom. Your brother has my contact info- glad to pitch in if you need it.Kevin Halliburton
"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man." -Elbert Hubbard-
BigBob
I travel quite often for work and send my tools as part of checked luggage. Recently most domestic airports inspect checked luggage by either x-ray or by visual inspection ( a very slow process ). Lately I ship my tools via a regular freight carrier. You can insure the freight, in this case you would want to insure for the replacement cost of your tools. It might take a week for delivery but it is much cheaper than anything like Fed-Ex or UPS. Good Luck
FHB editors travel all the time with a bunch of heavy, expensive photographic gear. I can tell you that it's cheaper to Fed-Ex a 70 lb. box of lights, 2nd day, than it is to pay the airline's $100 excess baggage fee. It's also a lot easier than lugging that stuff through the airport, and so far, more reliable. Andy Engel, The Former Accidental Moderator
My wife does trade shows . She has everything in big boxes and she ships to the show address . When we get there her boxes are in the building with her locks on them. We use to drive and trailer the whole show , but it isnt worth it .
Tim Mooney
I UPS a 70 lb slider with a few other things stuffed in the box, Houston to Kansas, for 55 bucks with insurance for $650, it was their standard 5 day shipping, arrived in 3 days.
UPS rocksNever be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, Professional build the Titanic.
that's pretty much what I paid for the 100 lbs I shipped to the east coast. UPS did fine getting there, and we'll see in a few days how they do getting it back to me. Should be fine.
big bob
Looks like I finally made it in here. Wanted to bear witness to your tool shipping.
I was there! I hope everything makes it back OK. I will be sending before and after pics of the job of the door job, so you can post.
Big E
Hey, good for you! Now you're in. We won't let anyone know you are a spy from the metal working side of the world, though<grin>.
Big Bob
On ocassion I work with a friend who gets contracts to do radon work for the Navy. We carry sawzalls, jigsaws, coredrills and bits, everything. It all goes in checked baggage, the weight being the key. Oh, and if you bring a right angle drill, take the removable handle off. They look like submachine guns to an x-ray tech. Use on of your checked bags for tools and load clothes into your other checked and carry on. If your'e not a clothes horse you may be able to carry on your clothes and get most if not all your tools in your checked bags. Ship whatever else doesn,t fit.
A while back, I posted this question in regards to the trip I just took this past weekend to Abilene, Tx. It was a great trip and I'll give quick feedback on how I got tools down there and what I ran into.
1. I shipped my smaller power tools, e.g nail guns, sawzall, cordless drills, etc. down via UPS. 2 boxes totaling 100 lbs. down and back were about $300. A bit more than I expected, but what am I going to do? (Got there fine, a day early, and hopefully are now on the return trip!).
2. I had a response from a Breaktime reader (wrecked angle) who offered to let me use his compressor and chop saw. I took him up on it and it worked great! Not only that, but had lunch with his family on Friday, and Dinner with them Sat. evening! Made some great friends as a result of this forum!
3. I was replacing a 14' set of patio doors (2doors and 2 stationary) with plate glass windows for my brother. I was framing in the better part of that space while installing a set of pre-hung French style steel doors from a local Lowes. I ran into something I had never seen in this format: solid heavy gauge steel frame for the glass, with 2 doors that moved, and 2 that were stationary. There was no way to get the doors out!! And the frame was screwed into the surrounding wood. So we had to take each pane of glass out separately!!! Broke 2 of them and got 2 out in one piece. One broke while carrying it out and just caught my leg superficially. Would have been curtains for the job and (my leg for a while) if it had been 1/2" closer!! Anyway, that took about 5 hours longer than expected. Once we got that monstrosity out, it was a simple task to hang the doors.
4. Kevin gave me the insight on how to finish the siding (hardiwood??) and it came out great. Was hanging drywall Friday night, caulked and installed hardware and taped 1 coat of mud Sat. AM, and shipped out the tools Sat. PM.
Everything went great thanks to the advice I got in this forum! I really appreciate the input and was tickled to death to meet Kevin and his beautiful family. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he begins to build his new dream house this coming weekend! You go wrecked angle!.;>)
Big Bob
Thanks Bob,
The dinner at your brothers house was one of the most enjoyable evenings we've had in a long time. Glad to know you're home safely and look forward to another visit in the future. Hopefully we can plan for dinner in our new house on your next trip down.
Take care,Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Man, you have to be one of my favorite new people here, well, you know, for an architect. ;-)
I know you probably have your hands full right now, but is there any chance you could start a thread about your new house? I have to think there would be a lot of interest, and a weekly update would suffice.
Just remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, so include 2 pics on every post, lol.
Gee tanks Qtrmeg! You happen to be one of my favorite "old" people here. :-)>
I posted a couple of pictures of the slab a few weeks ago.
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-BREAKTIME/messages?msg=29419.1
Big back log on the Structural Insulated Panels I ordered so I am still waiting for delivery. I will probably post from time to time as I progress but I don't know about weekly - this one is going to take a while and I'm not sure there will be enough progress week to week to warrant a constant update.
Just talked to the SIP manufacturer- delivery scheduled for the 31st. I'll post again when I have a few of them standing.Kevin Halliburton
"I believe that architecture is a pragmatic art. To become art it must be built on a foundation of necessity." - I.M. Pei -
Ok, I remember that one, but you have to get the pics smaller. You and Frenchy ought to have one thread each, and exactly for the same reason, you are both drawing outside of the lines of what is considered conventional.
I can Google sips construction, but you can provide more of the reality of it, whether you know it or not. (you already did... "Big back log on the Structural Insulated Panels I ordered so I am still waiting for delivery")
And don't worry about the time, the first house I built for myself took 3-4 months, but I went invisible for a few weeks, great option when it is an option. This one took over a year, but I did it in my "spare" time, that was a trip...more to do with the economy, and that is a story in itself.
You have a great story, start now...even us old guys have enough time to hear the end of it.
Now I have to Google for canes for ole guys...
I told you there would be interest in what you are doing! So the backlog caught up with you, heh. Well, hurry up and wait! Look forward to watching the progress.
Big Bob
Thanks for the update. It's always good to hear how stuff turns out that we've talked about here.Aren't all generalizations false?