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- Alternate Tinkerings (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/forumdisplay.php?f=140)

- - 55 Wagon Progress (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=564201)

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

I plan on brushing it on over sand blasted metal. I know it's not from HOK. I will let you know the specs on it are when I get it. What I do know is it is to be mixed 3:1. Any advice or tips on mixing small batch's to be brushed on?

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Your local paint stores or even the online versions should have the paint mixing cups with the graduated measurement marks on the side to make it easier to mix.. After going through a couple batches you'll get the hang of how much is needed.

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

My nephew Chris stopped by to help this morning so we decided to work on the roof a bit. Added a guide coat and skimmed across it with the vixen file to show the high spots...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture724.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture726.jpg

To help keep inside and outside guys on the same page, some reference marks were added from the door opening back, on inside and outside of the roof.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture730.jpg

Worked the highs and lows, and thought we'd compare it to the other side. Making a profile template to match the good side...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture728.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture727.jpg

Shown at about 6, 12, and 18". We're getting close..

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture731.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture732.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture733.jpg

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Do you ever permit a complete stranger to hang out to watch and learn.

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Tips on making couture templates?? what tools you use? I tried making one out of cardboard but that was a total failure LOL!

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Quote:

Originally Posted by duallyjams (Post 6578603)

Do you ever permit a complete stranger to hang out to watch and learn.

James, I'd think Deale is quite a drive, but anything is possible!

Quote:

Originally Posted by swamp rat (Post 6578775)

Tips on making couture templates?? what tools you use? I tried making one out of cardboard but that was a total failure LOL!

I used a scrap piece of 18 ga steel, held it against the roof, and opened up a compass to make a parallel mark. Cut it out on the band saw, checked the fit again, remarked, cut again...

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Just to clarify the process used for making the roof template....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture727.jpg

Start with a profile "blank" and span the profile you need to copy.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture734.jpg

Using a compass, open up the span to insure it is wide enough to make the mark on the blank on both ends ...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture735.jpg

Don't rotate the compass as you move it, this will make the radius larger than the original. Keep it "locked" pointed in the same direction as you glide across the roof surface, leaving the profile to cut....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture736.jpg

Cut with a band saw, jig saw, tin snips, whatever is easiest for you and most accurate. Test fit and adjust as needed.

.

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Thank you for this tid bit of info. As obvious as it is I learned something.

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Yep, I appreciate it too!

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Thank you for taking the time to show others like me how to do this. It's really appreciated and I've learned alot.

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Im sitting here looking at the blinking marker in this text box and trying to figure out something flattering to type.. I thought that I was starting to learn how to do metal work.. but.. I.. you are a true inspiration! That knowledge you have is priceless.. I hope there is someone in your surrounding that can inherit your skills
thanks for sharing your work!

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Well, I started working on my 5" stretch cab '66 pickup roof skin project.
This is my second attempt on the skin.
Before I read your thread my first attempt started well but crashed and burn.
After studying your spot weld,planish,grind repeat I have a great start. Something doesn't feel like its going with the flow you have supplied the info on what to do next to get things back on track. Priceless!
I have followed every step like you did on the '55 roof section.
It is turning out WAY better this time than last.
Planishing. I made some practice pieces like you did to show the full penetration spot welds. Learned how the metal is effected and studied how it moves.
The way you show gives a guy a lot more control working the metal.
Learned tons watchin. Thanks.
You Sir have some, if not all, Serious Skillz
Thank you again.

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Glad to hear it helped! Thanks for all the comments guys!

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Trying to finalize the rear end of this car.. The tailgate skin didn't align too well to the upper lift gate, the gap was way out of whack. I guess this is what I get for installing the skin based on the old tailgate.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture742.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture743.jpg

Note to self, don't fold door skins unless adjacent panel is there to set gaps.. ;)

Time to break out the door skin removal tool....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture585.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture745.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture746.jpg

Flange unfolded....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture747.jpg

Spoon was slid between the skin and inner panel and body hammer used to flatten out the crease...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture748.jpg

Right side flange is now a bit short, so added a strip of metal..

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture750.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture752.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture753.jpg

Flange re-folded, just needs some fine tuning and finishing the corners..

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture755.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture756.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture757.jpg

Much better...

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

I understand all you did right up to the folding it over.

The outer skin was originally rolled over against the inner panel correct? but the outside edges of the inner panel were probably a little low creating the gap between the gate, so i guess you just placed a back up dolly where ya wanted the new fold to be? or did you also extend the inner panel lip as well?

I hope that made sense.. :)

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

The inner panel's lip was left as was. I'll get some pics this evening of the tools used to fold the flange...

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Here's the tools used to re-fold the flanges. (don't mind the hammer marks)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture758.jpg

A mark was used on the front to indicate the new fold line. This press brake die was placed against the back side, and the flange tapped over. A flush tap against the face every now and then keeps the folded edge crisp..

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture759.jpg

That took the flange over about 90 degrees, then this modified gooseneck die was used to take it over to about 135 degrees...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture760.jpg

At this point the gate was closed to verify gaps. A door skin hammer on the inside and a dolly against the outside skin was used to complete the fold..

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Worked tonight on building new mounting brackets for the 55's battery tray..

This bracket supports the battery tray, bolts to the core support..

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture779.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture782.jpg

This bracket spot welds to the bottom of the tray and bolts to the inner fender.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture763.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture765.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture766.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture781.jpg

This bracket goes on the wheel side of the inner fender well as a backer to bolt through.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture762.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture761.jpg

The tabs spot weld to the ends of the tray for the battery hold downs..

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture780.jpg

Now just need to finish drilling holes and weld the parts to the "new" tray..

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Wow impressive metal working!

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Thanks!

Had a bit of time in the shop this evening, so I worked some more on the rear of the wagon... I had left the outer part of the lower repair patch's seam of the lift gate (going through the bead detail) un-welded until the flanges all got folded, so tonight I got one side of that finished up...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture712.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture798.jpg

Then the welds were cleaned up and some more tweaking of the tailgate gaps....

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture799.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture801.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture802.jpg

Much better...

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Looking nice good fit. A few post back someone asked about mixing small amounts of epoxy, I have a set of stainless measuring spoons from the dollar store that are great for small mixes to touch up with a brush. They are easy to clean too.

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

I would love to be able to attend a metal shaping workshop some day, i don't even know if they have something like that around here. At least i have some experience with shrinkers and stretchers, although don't own any of my own.

Re: 55 Wagon Progress

How does one get a invite.