The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > General Truck Forums > Paint & Bodywork

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-18-2020, 10:12 PM   #1
cwcarpenter98
Senior Member


 
cwcarpenter98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,419
Body hammer suggestions

I decided to dive into fixing the rust on my truck and after watching some videos, I think I'm going to need some body hammers and dollies to make my life easier. Any recommendations on some good tools that won't break my wallet too bad? The welder sure took a chunk out, but it's one that will do anything I need it to do.

I was planning to cut out a donor section from a cab, but if I could repair this section with a hammer, I might try that first.

The hammer in the picture was an old one that I think my mom's grandfather had back in the day. Unfortunately, I broke the handle on it not long after taking the picture. Hopefully I can find a new handle for it because I really liked using it to flatten out metal brackets and such that I was making
Attached Images
 
__________________
Christian Carpenter

1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, 3 speed with overdrive
Overdrive wiring here
1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit

1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350

1995 Dodge Dakota Sport

"I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson
cwcarpenter98 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2020, 10:18 PM   #2
mongocanfly
Post Whore

 
mongocanfly's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Alabama
Posts: 14,557
Re: Body hammer suggestions

For a beginner set it's hard to beat the price of the cardboard freight set...https://www.harborfreight.com/Body-A...-Pc-63259.html

That cab section is not gonna be a easy fix...the bed needs pulled...can you fully access the inside?
A stud welder and slide hammer would be a big help to you..
__________________
Mongo...aka Greg

RIP Dad
RIP Jesse

1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598
Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334
Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563
2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver
mongocanfly is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2020, 10:42 PM   #3
cwcarpenter98
Senior Member


 
cwcarpenter98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,419
Re: Body hammer suggestions

I did see that set when I was picking out a welding cart, but wasn't sure on the quality and such. I might have to try it out, especially if there's a coupon for it, or it works on one of the 20% off coupons. The cart didn't qualify for that 20% off one unfortunately

I don't have a stud welder or slide hammer, but I think I'm set welder wise for all the other rust repair I have to do
Attached Images
 
__________________
Christian Carpenter

1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, 3 speed with overdrive
Overdrive wiring here
1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit

1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350

1995 Dodge Dakota Sport

"I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson

Last edited by cwcarpenter98; 05-18-2020 at 11:17 PM.
cwcarpenter98 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2020, 01:24 AM   #4
ApacheNick
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Dawson Creek, B.C.
Posts: 143
Re: Body hammer suggestions

I would try to repair it first. You'll need to pull the seat and gas tank but you will have ok access to the back side of most of that for hammer dolly work. Some of the higher up damage wont be fun but it should be doable. That's a ugly piece to replace...

Some may disagree with this, but for that spot a cross chisel hammer and a pick hammer will be your friends for getting the body lines back. Which ever dolly you use should match the factory curves of the panel as closely as possible.I would use a general purpose body hammer with a flat or slightly domed face to start with.

Hope this helps.
__________________
Nick

1961 Apache short stepside 4X4 SBW 348/4 speed
1960 Apache C-20 long fleet custom cab BBW 283/4 Speed
1967 rust bucket Olds Cutlass with a 455
1972 GMC K-15 350/4 speed long fleet
ApacheNick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-19-2020, 09:12 AM   #5
cwcarpenter98
Senior Member


 
cwcarpenter98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,419
Re: Body hammer suggestions

Thanks Nick, that does help and makes sense. I am going to have to pull the bed anyways to replace the cab corners, so when I get to that, I'll also hammer away at the corner. I'm not expecting it to be perfect, but I figured I might as well give it a shot before I decide to just cut it all out and replace
__________________
Christian Carpenter

1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, 3 speed with overdrive
Overdrive wiring here
1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit

1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350

1995 Dodge Dakota Sport

"I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson
cwcarpenter98 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2020, 11:45 AM   #6
oem4me
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Burbank CA
Posts: 3,055
Re: Body hammer suggestions

That's going to require some serious hammering. Sometimes a better approach (or at least one that takes less effort) is to temporarily weld some sheet metal tabs at key points in the damage area, and pull it out with a come-along. This is akin to a stud gun on steroids. The tabs can be made with holes in them so a hook can grab them. You'll just need to steady the cab and have a solid anchor post for the hand winch. Got a big tree?
Obviously, once the damage is yanked out, the tabs can be cut/ground off, leaving no holes in the body. This could do the rough work, then you tune it in with a hammer and dolly. The idea is work smart, not hard.
oem4me is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2020, 10:09 PM   #7
cwcarpenter98
Senior Member


 
cwcarpenter98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,419
Re: Body hammer suggestions

Quote:
Originally Posted by oem4me View Post
That's going to require some serious hammering. Sometimes a better approach (or at least one that takes less effort) is to temporarily weld some sheet metal tabs at key points in the damage area, and pull it out with a come-along. This is akin to a stud gun on steroids. The tabs can be made with holes in them so a hook can grab them. You'll just need to steady the cab and have a solid anchor post for the hand winch. Got a big tree?
Obviously, once the damage is yanked out, the tabs can be cut/ground off, leaving no holes in the body. This could do the rough work, then you tune it in with a hammer and dolly. The idea is work smart, not hard.
Thank you for this explanation. I had not thought of doing that, and if I decide to repair it, I probably will do that. I've got a come-along and a couple good sized trees at the house.
I have a lead on a cab that's already been cut up, but I need to go check it out first to see if it is better in that area than my truck
__________________
Christian Carpenter

1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, 3 speed with overdrive
Overdrive wiring here
1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit

1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350

1995 Dodge Dakota Sport

"I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson
cwcarpenter98 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2020, 03:30 PM   #8
projectking
Registered User
 
projectking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Orland Park Il
Posts: 2,041
Re: Body hammer suggestions

Dagger tools makes a nice set with dollies
__________________
68 GMC C3500 Longhorn DRW
67 Chevy C10 LWB
90 Mustang Gt
90 Mustang Notchback
projectking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2020, 03:52 PM   #9
projectking
Registered User
 
projectking's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Orland Park Il
Posts: 2,041
Re: Body hammer suggestions

I agree with using the lever puller just make sure to tap in the ridges with a body hammer as you pull
__________________
68 GMC C3500 Longhorn DRW
67 Chevy C10 LWB
90 Mustang Gt
90 Mustang Notchback
projectking is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 09:42 AM   #10
cwcarpenter98
Senior Member


 
cwcarpenter98's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Hickory Flat, GA
Posts: 4,419
Re: Body hammer suggestions

Thanks y'all for your suggestions. Another member is cutting up a cab for his truck and has offered me a great deal on the section of the cab that I need, so I'm going to end up cutting this out and replacing it. Still going to get a set of hammers and dollies because I'm going to need them to get everything in decent shape after all the welding
__________________
Christian Carpenter

1963 C10 - Frankentruck 283, 3 speed with overdrive
Overdrive wiring here
1963-ish truck bed trailer - Half-Wit

1981 C10 - Penny 305, th350

1995 Dodge Dakota Sport

"I'll put it simple: if you're going hard enough left, you'll find yourself turning right." - Doc Hudson
cwcarpenter98 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2020, 10:53 PM   #11
bhemingson
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 162
Re: Body hammer suggestions

Go to Autobody Toolmart or eBay and get a set of Martin hammers and dollies. I got a set with the hickory handles because I like the feel. The fiberglass handle ones will probably never break. $200 a set and your grandkids will be using them.
bhemingson is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:12 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com