Big Truck, Big Rules: How to Stay Smart Around Delivery Trucks 

(Real Laws, Real Talk, No Excuses)

Ever seen a 5-ton delivery truck cruising down the road and thought, "It’s just a big van, no big deal"?  That’s how accidents — and a lot of paperwork — happen.

At Calumet Lumber, we know a thing or two about big trucks. We've been hauling heavy-duty industrial construction supplies, custom doors, and mountains of lumber since 1906. Our drivers aren’t just steering massive loads — they’re steering the materials that keep jobsites running on time.

So, whether it’s one of our Calumet delivery trucks rolling through a jobsite or any other truck on the highway, here’s what you need to know to stay smart, stay safe, and stay out of the "bad decisions" category — backed by Federal and Indiana guidelines.

Lesson 1: If You Can't See Their Mirrors, You're Off the Radar

Big trucks have blind spots that could hide a parade.
If you can't see the driver’s mirrors, they can’t see you. That’s not just bad positioning; it’s asking for trouble. Pass quickly. Stay visible. Sitting next to a truck like you’re enjoying the scenery isn’t just annoying — it’s risky and illegal in many situations.

Lesson 2: Cutting Off a Truck? Not Your Best Idea

Thomas, Judith and Donald

A fully loaded delivery truck doesn’t stop on a dime — it stops on a football field.
Indiana law says to leave at least a two- to three-second gap behind any vehicle, but with trucks, you need four to five seconds, minimum.
Federal safety rules back it up: one second per 10 feet of truck length, and another second if you’re over 40 mph.

At Calumet Lumber, our trucks often carry thousands of pounds of custom door assemblies, bulk lumber, and industrial supplies. If you think your SUV can outmaneuver that much momentum, you’re gambling... and you're going to lose. Give them space. EVERY TIME.

Lesson 3: Trucks Turn Like They Own the Road (Because Physically, They Do)

Delivery trucks need extra room to turn — especially right turns.
They might swing wide or even veer into another lane first to make it happen.
Indiana law says very clearly: do not squeeze between a turning truck and the curb. It’s not a shortcut; it’s a collision waiting to happen.

If a truck is turning, back off and let it finish. Trust us: nobody delivering custom industrial materials wants to be stuck filling out accident reports when they could be delivering your next project instead.

Lesson 4: Big Doesn’t Mean Slow

Modern delivery trucks — including ours — are designed to move.
When passing, always use the left lane and move quickly and cleanly.
Passing on the right is dangerous and illegal. Passing over solid yellow lines or in blind curves isn’t just reckless — it could cost you your license.

If you commit to passing, do it with purpose.
Half-hearted passing creates confusion, and confusion leads to flashing lights you don’t want in your rearview.

Lesson 5: Trucks + Weather = Extra Caution

Bad weather doesn’t just slow trucks down; it multiplies the risks.
Stopping distances stretch out. Maneuverability drops. Visibility shrinks.

And let’s be honest — this is Indiana.
We can experience all four seasons in a 12-hour stretch without warning.
You might leave the house under sunny skies, hit a blizzard by lunch, and be dodging thunderstorms by dinner. Our Calumet drivers know it firsthand — and they plan for it every single day. When the weather shifts (and it will), double your following distance. Rain, snow, fog, sideways winds — it all impacts a 5-ton truck’s ability to brake and steer. If you’re feeling impatient, remember: no amount of tailgating will make 12,000 pounds of construction materials stop faster. It’ll just make you the star of a traffic jam.

Stay sharp. Stay flexible. Assume the weather — and the trucks — are doing their best. Give them the space they need to handle it safely.

Work Zone Smarts: Where Paying Attention Really Matters

If you think driving around trucks is serious, try doing it in a work zone. Now you've got cones, narrow lanes, lane shifts, flaggers, workers — and trucks that already need more space than normal.

And let’s not forget Indiana’s wild weather swings. One minute it’s sunny, the next it’s a snowstorm, and by the time you hit the work zone, it could be 40mph winds or tornado warnings. All in the span of a few hours. Just another Tuesday in the Hoosier state.

But here's the real kicker: Everyone working in that zone has a family they want to go home to at the end of the day. It's not just about avoiding fines — it’s about ensuring that the people in those zones are safe so they can see their kids, spouses, and loved ones every night.

Here’s the straight talk:

Slow Down

Work zones aren’t suggestions. Speed limits are lower for a reason, and in Indiana, fines for speeding in work zones are doubled, whether workers are present or not. That’s right — double the fines.

Now, we know this state is famous for the Indianapolis 500, but we’re not racing on the streets. Take it slow. Watch for sudden stops.
Our Calumet trucks might be delivering materials right into those tight spaces, and they need you focused and predictable, not rushing and reckless. Add in Indiana's unpredictable weather — from random snowflakes to surprise tornadoes — and it’s clear: your patience is key for everyone’s safety.

Stay in Your Lane

Work zones don’t leave room for improvisation. Temporary lanes are narrow, poorly marked, and have zero forgiveness for wandering tires. With Indiana’s famous high winds, sudden downpours, or tornado warnings, the last thing anyone needs is a driver who thinks it's okay to swerve. Keep it steady.

Hold your lane. Stay predictable.
Trucks need all the space they’re given — sometimes more — to safely navigate those tight worksite access points. And just in case the weather’s giving everyone a hard time, and remember, high winds don’t make work zones any easier to navigate.

Pay Full Attention

Phone down. Music low. Eyes up.  Work zones change daily, sometimes hourly. Cones shift. Workers cross. Signs move.  Indiana’s weather — unpredictable as ever — only adds to the chaos.  If you’re distracted, you’re just asking for trouble. Trucks are already dealing with enough, trying to avoid weather hazards and safely deliver materials. The workers on-site are just trying to get through the day in one piece. Let’s not make their job harder — and don’t forget, any violation in a work zone gets you double the hefty fines.

Top 5 Rules for Sharing the Road with Delivery Trucks

(Because Indiana’s Weather Isn’t the Only Thing That Can Be Unpredictable)

1. If You Can’t See Their Mirrors, You're Off the Radar
And not in a cool spy way. Trucks have blind spots that could hide an entire parade. If you can’t see the driver’s mirrors, they can’t see you — and you’re about to become a surprise to them, which is never a good thing. Tip: Indiana’s roads have seen their fair share of history — from the National Road (the first federally funded highway in the U.S.) to the Cannonball Run that started in Indianapolis. Respect the road like you respect Indiana’s legacy. Just don’t pull a “ghost car” move by lurking in a truck’s blind spot.

2. Cutting Off a Truck? Not Your Best Idea
A fully loaded delivery truck, whether it’s carrying lumber from Calumet Lumber or industrial supplies, doesn’t stop on a dime. It needs way more space than your compact car. In Indiana, our weather changes faster than you can say “Indiana’s unpredictable!” One second, it's sunny, the next it’s snowing — cutting off a truck when the weather’s shifting could lead to more than a fender-bender. It could lead to you needing a tow.

3. Trucks Turn Like They Own the Road (Because They Do)
Trucks need extra space when they turn — especially when it’s tight and the weather’s working against them. Just like the Indianapolis 500 drivers take wide turns to avoid crashing into the wall, trucks need room to move safely.  Don’t squeeze in next to them thinking you’ll “sneak by” in their blind spot — especially when a surprise Indiana thunderstorm rolls in. That’s how accidents happen — quickly, and unpredictably, just like our weather.

4. Pass Like You Mean It
Hesitating halfway through a pass on a truck is like running a mini version of the Indy 500, but without the cool helmet. Trucks are big. You’re small. When passing, get in and get out quickly, like you’re racing a tornado warning down the highway.  And for the record, it’s not just about the weather. Indiana’s roads have been hosting road races and barrel-racing tractors for decades, but that doesn’t mean you should be racing with trucks. Pass clean, then get back in your lane and stay safe.

5. Work Zones: Where Trucks and Patience are Both in Short Supply
Work zones are no place to try to beat a truck to the finish line. These zones are tricky to navigate on a good day. Add in Indiana’s crazy weather (one minute it's 85°F and sunny, the next it's sleeting), and work zones turn into a full-blown challenge.  Slow down. Stay alert. Keep your distance. Remember: everyone working in a zone has a family they want to get home to. The Indianapolis 500 taught us how to go fast — but on these roads? Slow and steady wins the race. And the hefty fines for speeding are the last thing you want to deal with when the weather’s already throwing a tantrum.

Bonus Tip: When in doubt, assume the truck wins. Because much like Indiana weather, it’s going to surprise you every time.

Bottom Line

Delivery trucks and work zones demand respect, not frustration.  Give trucks space. Pass them cleanly. Respect work zones like your project deadline depends on it — because guess what? It does.

At Calumet Lumber, we take pride in delivering the materials that build and maintain Indiana’s industries — safely, reliably, and with over 100 years of experience behind every load. Whether it’s through sleet, snow, high winds, or the occasional tornado, we get it done — safely and on time.

Remember: Everyone in a work zone has a family they want to go home to. Drive smarter. Drive safer.

 

Screwed Up — In the Best Way Possible

The past few weeks have been heavier than a pallet of pressure‑treated 6x6s—Katy’s brain‑tumor saga pushed everyone’s stress gauges past “Danger: Splinters.” But the worst is behind us: the tumor’s out, Katy’s home, and her recovery playlist now features less “ICU beeps” and more “classic rock.” Time to swap MRI anxiety for torque specs.

With the medical roller coaster finally coasting to the station, let’s trade scalpels for driver bits. Grab your favorite #2 Phillips (the one that lives loyally in your junk drawer) because today we’re talking screws. I’ve got a few loose ones myself, so consider this both a history lesson and group therapy.

Twist Me Like One of Your Ancient Greeks

Archimedes Screw

Picture ancient Greece: philosophers debating existence, togas flapping in the Aegean breeze—and Archimedes building a giant corkscrew to ferry water uphill. Less “fastener,” more “agricultural smoothie straw,” the Archimedean screw turned irrigation from a bucket‑brigade horror show into the Hydro‑Express. It didn’t join two planks, but it proved one thing: twist something the right way and you’ll move mountains—or at least olive brine.

Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day—But It Probably Used Threads

Fast‑forward to the Romans, who looked at Archimedes’ gizmo and said, “Cool story, bro, but can it hold my legion’s shield rack together?” They started carving threads into bronze and iron, creating screws that were about as uniform as my handwriting after three espressos. If two Roman bolts matched, historians assume it was sheer accident—or wine. Still, those wobbly fasteners held up aqueducts, siege engines, and a whole empire built on concrete and confidence.

Da Vinci’s Renaissance Reboot

Da Vinci's Air Screw

Cue the Renaissance: painters angsty, poets swooning, and Leonardo da Vinci doodling helicopters, battle tanks, and yes, screw‑cutting machines in the margins of his grocery list. Leo’s designs for automated threading were century‑level glow‑ups, but production remained slower than dial‑up internet. Imagine paying Michelangelo to hand‑whittle each screw—artful, yes, but mortgage‑obliterating.

The Industrial Revolution: From Chaos to Consistency

Enter the 18th‑century tag team of Jesse Ramsden and Henry Maudslay, armed with lathes that could spin out identical screws faster than you can say “standardization.” Suddenly, carpenters could buy a box where every screw actually matched the driver. The phrase “close enough” was officially demoted to hobbyist projects and questionable sandwich measurements.

Slots, Strips, and Screw‑Head Soap Operas

By the 1800s, the slotted head reigned supreme—simple to forge, simple to strip, simple to launch across the room while muttering new curse‑word combos. Enter the 1930s, and the ring announcer bell dinged:

• Phillips: Henry F. Phillips introduced a self‑centering cross that loved assembly‑line speed and hated your cordless drill’s dignity.

  

  Self-Tapping Phillips Screw

  
  
• Robertson: Peter Robertson’s square drive stayed grippy through drywall Armageddon, but a licensing standoff with Henry Ford kept it mostly in Canada. (Fun fact: Canadian passports come with one free Robertson bit. Probably.)

  

  Hi Torque Star Screws

  
  

 The Sixties Call—They Bring Torx

1967 rolls up in a psychedelic van blasting Hendrix, and Torx screech onto the scene with star‑shaped swagger. Their high‑torque, anti‑cam‑out magic meant you could finally crank down without shredding the head—unless you used the wrong size, in which case they’d laugh while rounding off into a decorative flower.

Since then, we’ve seen hex, Pozidriv, combo, tamper‑proof, tri‑wing, and “security” heads clearly invented after a hardware engineer lost a bar bet. Each promises a perfect niche use; all guarantee you’ll own every bit except the one you need at 10:58 p.m. on a Sunday.

Industrial Screws: Heavy‑Duty Heroes

Modern construction screws are like professional wrestlers in business suits—refined but ready to body‑slam a jobsite. Meet the roster:

• Structural screws: Replace lag bolts, skip pilot holes, and still torque down tighter than skinny jeans after Thanksgiving. They cut install times so much the OSHA guy might suspect witchcraft.
• Self‑tappers / self‑drillers: Drill, tap, and secure in one caffeinated move. Ideal for metal studs, thin sheet steel, and impressing apprentices.
• Concrete screws: Blue‑coated beasts that bite masonry like it owes them money. Perfect for anchoring framing to basement slabs that have seen things.
• High‑torque fasteners: Built for vibrating hellscapes—think industrial fans, heavy machinery, or the dashboard of any 1997 pickup still rattling down I‑90. They stay zen while everything shakes like a maraca.

Why So Many Heads?

Because engineers love patents, manufacturers love exclusivity, and lawyers love billable hours. Some heads deter tampering by making the tool obscure; others encourage therapy by making the user obscure new words. Either way, you’ll end up in the Calumet aisle staring at a stainless‑steel kaleidoscope, convincing yourself you “might as well buy the whole set.”

Holding It Together Since Before Torque Was Cool

From aqueducts to iPhones to 1,000‑foot glass towers that make pigeons question their life choices, screws have quietly kept civilization snapped together. Calumet Lumber’s been stocking them since Teddy Roosevelt was charging up San Juan Hill—standard, specialty, metric, imperial, left‑handed, right‑handed, and one prototype that looks like it could summon a small demon. If it spirals, we sell it.

Screwed Up and Proud

What did we learn?
    1.   Screws are the nerdy superheroes of hardware.
    2.   History’s full of fastener melodrama more riveting than daytime TV.
    3.   My excitement for tiny metal spirals probably needs its own support group.

Keep your bits sharp and your puns sharper, because next time we’ll either be unleashing nail‑gun mayhem or hosting group therapy for anyone who’s ever publicly mangled a Torx head. Stay twisted till then and keep an eye out for our deep‑dive into the wonderfully wonky realm of bolts and fasteners because aren’t just fancy words for screws (who knew?)!

"The Day the Door Talked Back" – A Calumet Tale

"The Day the Door Talked Back" – A Calumet Tale
(A true-ish story from behind the scenes at Calumet Lumber)

It all started on a Tuesday — as most suspicious things do.

Christopher, our senior door whisperer (a.k.a. Lead Handyman), had just finished crafting a particularly bold-looking metal industrial door. It was 7 feet of powder-coated steel glory with a full-lite window and a presence you could feel. This door didn’t just swing open — it commanded attention.

Christopher stood back, wiped his brow, and said, “That’s a good-lookin’ door. Real solid. Classy, but not showy.”

But then, the door creaked.

Not like a “normal expansion due to temperature fluctuation” creak — no, this was a “You got something to say, tough guy?” kind of creak. Everyone in the shop froze. Even Ryan stopped mid-staple (which, if you know Ryan, never happens).

Suddenly the door let out a low groan and muttered — I kid you not — “I preferred mahogany.”

The whole shop erupted.

Someone dropped a caulk gun. A forklift beeped in confusion. Jimmy, who moonlights as a pizza delivery driver (yep, you read that right), almost tripped over his own shoelaces in the middle of his delivery run to the shop.

He froze. “I—did that door just…talk?”

Turns out, the door wasn’t haunted — just equipped with a hidden Bluetooth speaker that IT Guru Bill had “borrowed” for testing purposes. He thought it’d be funny to link it to his phone and play random audio clips. And it was. For everyone but Christopher, who still won’t speak to “that mouthy piece of sheet metal.”

And just when the shop was getting back to normal, someone made the mistake of asking:

“Wait… is this a left-hand or a right-hand swing?”

Silence.

You could hear a screw drop.

Then the debates began. Ryan grabbed a tape measure. Jimmy peeked out from behind the pizza boxes and muttered, “Y’all still doin’ this?” Bill pulled up a diagram that only made things worse. Someone stood in the doorway and pretended to be the door (again).

“Okay, if I’m inside, and the hinges are on my right—”

“Are you pushing or pulling?!”

“Am I me, or am I the door?!”

“Somebody call OSHA.”

Welcome to the sacred mystery of door handing.

And then — like adding rocket fuel to a campfire — someone asked:

“Are we using roton hinges on this one or standard ball bearing?”

Cue the gasps.

Roton hinges — smooth, continuous, piano-style perfection. Designed for high-traffic, heavy-use doors that need to last. Sleek, tamper-resistant, quiet as a ninja. Sure, they take some finesse to install, but when done right? Chef’s kiss. That door will glide like a dream.

Compare that to standard hinges — still strong, still reliable, especially if you go with heavy-duty ball bearings. But if you want that modern, streamlined look and zero sag over time? Roton’s your best friend.

And of course… the frames.

“Is this going into a welded frame or a knocked down?”

Jimmy groaned.

(Though, to be fair, he probably had a hot slice of pepperoni waiting for him in his Maverick.)

Welded frames? Pre-assembled, square, strong as an ox, and perfect for new construction or serious security. But good luck moving one through a tight hallway.

Knocked down frames (KD frames)? Shipped flat, assembled on-site — perfect for retrofits or when space is tight. More flexibility, still strong when installed right. But if you mix up the anchors or the wall depth? Welcome to headache city.

And if you’re thinking, “Well shoot, I don’t see the door I need,” don’t worry — we’ve got that too.  We can special order it to any size, spec, or configuration your project calls for. Christopher and the crew can assemble and finish it right here in the shop at Calumet Lumber — to your exact needs, down to the last hinge and fire label.

At Calumet Lumber, we don’t just build doors —
We deliver precision-engineered, code-compliant, thermally sound, fire-rated, properly framed, flawlessly swinging entry solutions. Insulated or not. With roton hinges or good ol' standard hardware. Left, right, in, out — if you can dream it (and measure it), we can make it.

So yeah — want a door with personality? We’ve got you.
Want one that opens the right way, seals in the heat, checks all the safety boxes, and looks sharp doing it?  We’ve definitely got you.

Just don’t ask Christopher to explain handing, fire ratings, hinge types, frame specs, and special orders in one breath.

He’s still recovering from the mahogany incident.

And Jimmy? Jimmy’s back to delivering pizzas, but only through properly handed, fire-rated doors. Respect.

And Bill? Bill’s testing voice-activated closers now. Send snacks!!!!!

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