: Now you tell me! That sounds like a great idea. Are you talking about the
: black rolls of tubing? That would make a nice non-mar finish. I bought the
: 1 1/8" outside dia thinwall conduit yesterday and I will at least use
: it to make my premodels to be sure everything is just right before I cut
: my oak side rails. I am taking styrofoam the sizes of my wood siderails to
: make my premodels. To make the two feet to get an exat fit to the car
: roof, I taped sandpaper under where the feet will fit and sand rubed the
: foam to fit. I will then trace the inside and out side of the feet on the
: oak and saw to the lines. Then put the oak on the roof sandpaper and sand
: exactly to fit. Then I would like to find some neopreme or something for
: rubber feet covering to grip the roof and not mar it. I will drill 1
: 1/8" holes into the oak side rails not quite all of the way through,
: slip in the pipe and put a threaded bold down throught the top of the oak
: rail, into the pipe and threaded into the oak. That's the plan anyway. I
: like the black pipe and plastic tubing idea.

: Also, has anyone ever use that plastic dip you see for tool handles and would
: it be ok for the metal clips?

: Put a picture of your side loader when it's finished. I don't have time for
: that now but maybe next year.

: John

: John

Sorry John
I just took some measurements and it is 1/2" steel pipe that I am using not 3/4"
witch already has an OD of 1 1/16" ..I have some of both but not enough
the 1/2" will work ok for me ..there is only a 38" span between the side rails on the Pathfinder.
and yes it is the rolled plastic pipe the OD is 1 1/16" ..ok for my needs.
I remember sombody had a post a while back on using 3/4" gas pipe with the plastic coating having an OD of 1 1/8" .
It looks as if you have a well thought out plan ,that plastic dip goop should work great on the clips..it worked ok on some homemade body tools a buddy of mine had.
I have to finish building my mothers desk ,draw up plans and do an estimate on a wood strip hard top for a 27' Chris Craft Sea Skiff.
then the roof rack, maybe...
Geez I wish I was organized.
I'm sure your roof rack will turn out more than fine ..stronger and a better fit
than any store bought rack..yer a pretty inovative fella ...good luck!

Later
Bill