Wow.. just gorgeous! I'll bet your ears were ringing after all that beating.
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Wow.. just gorgeous! I'll bet your ears were ringing after all that beating.
The damage was done long ago 34_40 ! LOL
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6e7b8fee.jpg[/IMG]
Found this on a trip to the junk yard. It's from a 96 Chev Geo Metro. It has a built
in stop, and return spring. They had 4 cars in a row, bought them all 20 bucks,
already gave 2 to friends.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psf6697ac6.jpg[/IMG]
This a new (old style) Flaming River Column that I welded a piece of 3/8" stock on
that will index into a notch in the tubing welded to the firewall.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8861bec5.jpg[/IMG]
This shows how the column indexes into the firewall piece which clocks it with
the turn signal, and proper depth setting. There is a locking screw on the engine
side of the firewall, plus the column drop.
The gas pedal has been bent, with a tab welded to catch the cable carb linkage.
There was grinding needed on bracket to get full stroke needed for carb.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4bc4cadc.jpg[/IMG]
The round pedals did not give me enough room, so I fabbed new rectangular metal
pads, to fit rubber pedal covers I found on line at Summit. I welded a spacer into
the column drop to fit the new column, and added braces to the firwall that are
not visible in this pic. I made a hold down for the rubber boot on the shifter.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psde1bae1e.jpg[/IMG]
I wanted to finish covering the rear suspension. This piece ties into the rear panel
covering the tail lites. There is a removable cover for acess to tank sending unit,
and fuel feed. The card board simulates battery box.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps478fc5cb.jpg[/IMG]
This piece has inset removable plates to acess body mount bolts, and upper coil
overs. Making card board template seal off passenger compartment. Had to be
in two pieces , would not fit as one large piece.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psea55b22f.jpg[/IMG]
I decided to go ahead , and make a battery box.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps95b3b890.jpg[/IMG]
I get most of my solid rivet supplies from Aircraft Spruce.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psf097c40c.jpg[/IMG]
I used #2 cable, and clear plastic for a vent line, none of this will be visible.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4b1d88db.jpg[/IMG]
I'll wait to finish the side panels till I fit the fender fit up.
Rich
Beautiful work
Yep! What he said... x's 2..
Thanks guys!
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps28eae056.jpg[/IMG]
I wanted to get an idea what shape to make the hood blisters, and the placement
on the new side panels I'll make.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psb8f3e71e.jpg[/IMG]
I wanted to visually see the blisters so I glued some particle board together, and
shaped with the DA. Dusty, but shapes very easily.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psacf824cb.jpg[/IMG]
More particle board glued together for the hammer form.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psc8beaf6f.jpg[/IMG]
I used .063 alum. for the blister.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psa2d65e5d.jpg[/IMG]
I annealed the blister coating it with acetylene, than burning off. I had to repeat this several times as it work hardens, and tears easily.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psb9a5c6e6.jpg[/IMG]
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps90107a42.jpg[/IMG]
Cheap Harbor Freight planishing hammer, but it does the job.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9f90d2df.jpg[/IMG]
The foot ball shaped dolly in the vise is used to fine tune the blisters. The red
laser dot shining on the dolly helps find the sweet spot. I picked that up from
the guys on the Metal Meet forum.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...pse49b4824.jpg[/IMG]
Heres the laser stuck in a piece of 2 x 4 screwed to the ceiling.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psacf5eef3.jpg[/IMG]
After a little prime, and block.
Rich
That's some great sheet metal work !!!! I like the laser trick,
That's amazing! (at least to me!)
Great work, and thanks for sharing your methods. That is some awesome metal shaping!
WOW, you certainly have the skill in metal forming Rich and it doesn't really matter whether it is a cheap Harbour Freight or Snap-On expensive tool, it is the ability to use them properly that gets excellent results and you have shown that you have that skill. I am not only enjoying this thread but learning from you too so thanks again for taking the time to post for us.
Thanks guys, but I'm far from being a metal shaper. I do love to work with it though.
A few years ago I wanted to press a Ford script into a panel, but could never
make a pattern die that was good enough. I met a guy that has a CNC plasma
setup who said he would cut one out no problem. The problem is 18 gauge
warps while cutting because the pattern is so small. It took several tries, and
I still had to straighten, and deburr the pattern, but we finally got it done.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps35e29536.jpg[/IMG]
Her I have a piece of alum that I'm scribing the outline for reference.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8b278fb9.jpg[/IMG]
Centered male pattern, and scribed.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1783b18b.jpg[/IMG]
Placing the female die under the blank.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9207c9d3.jpg[/IMG]
Ready to press with female die taped under blank.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psc5d29a9d.jpg[/IMG]
After pressing.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4761972e.jpg[/IMG]
Opposite side.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6c784d9b.jpg[/IMG]
You can reverse the process, and imprint the die.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps067501ec.jpg[/IMG]
I wanted to make a glove box door with the script. I cut a slightly over size piece
of 19 gauge.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9b8f4b1c.jpg[/IMG]
I cut a 3/16" piece of plate the shape of the glove box door, and formed the
script over it.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...pssvfirei5.jpg[/IMG]
Heres a pic of the plate on the back. It was a solid piece when I was forming it
around the script. I cut out most of it before tacking together.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3e3dd105.jpg[/IMG]
Finished piece.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3bf101ff.jpg[/IMG]
Of course I had to make a few things for my friends!
Rich
Very Cool. Nice touch on the glove box. Makes this project even more uniquely yours!
I agree.. just a really nice touch for the project.
Thanks guys, it was a rewarding project.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psb6e2e8e3.jpg[/IMG]
I chose Coker Smoothies for wheels, 15's front, and 16's for the rear.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps626736c4.jpg[/IMG]
I used epoxy primer, urethane single stage, and clear from Eastwood with a cheap
gravity gun. I plan on shooting the frame with the same stuff.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps618cbef9.jpg[/IMG]
My final choice for wheels, and tires. Rears are 16" x 7" w/4" back space, 245 75 R16
Michelin Latitude Touring. Fronts are 15" x 5" w/3" back space, 205 65 R15
Michelin Defenders. The rear end is 56" drum face to drum face.
Rich
Rich, once again great work! Would you want to sell 3-4 panels with the ford stamped into them by chance?
Ryan, I'll message you.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8bfc445b.jpg[/IMG]
Fender fit was very poor. I removed the reenforcements from the back of the fender.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psa204980e.jpg[/IMG]
This area was really bad, cut it out, and reformed it.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psb56e3273.jpg[/IMG]
After repairing the top, I widened the the bottom area to fit the running board.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psadf11933.jpg[/IMG]
I filled several holes not needed on the flange.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7207ae15.jpg[/IMG]
I fabbed a new brace for the area that connects to the running board.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...pscf5c2176.jpg[/IMG]
I had to split the fender in several places to fit the arch of the fender well. I'm
not using fender welt, and want a tight fit.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4a3e65b5.jpg[/IMG]
Almost ready.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psa05a0e9c.jpg[/IMG]
Finally like it.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps8b8e171b.jpg[/IMG]
Moving to front cowl area. I could not live with this gap.I had already repaired this
area, and had replaced panel to match existing original!
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1fc23060.jpg[/IMG]
I bit the bullet, and replaced it. I will address the bottom left corner when I remove
body.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps96bd6693.jpg[/IMG]
Of course the door had to be redone to match. Oh well, it's done.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3b51d47b.jpg[/IMG]
Reformed, and added piece here.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psb56f991e.jpg[/IMG]
I formed a complete new piece to fit the running board rather than have 2 welds.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psd32e2ce8.jpg[/IMG]
I cut, and reshaped the repo fender braces, here I'm finishing the outter hole
for the carriage bolt. It needs to be spot on, it has a wire edge.
Rich
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3f84a0cd.jpg[/IMG]
I cut this panel in three pieces. I trimmed the bottom off, and ran a new bead to
match the raised side pieces. Lots of fussing around to get the proper
clearance around the bottom of the grill shell.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psa43351f4.jpg[/IMG]
I see some cars without this piece, I think it adds a lot to the car. Now I have
to do the other side.
Rich
I'll have to stop posting on this thread for awhile. I have been recovering from
surgery, and have not been able to work out in the shop. Last couple days I
been doing some bench work. This sitting around drives me crazy! LOL
I want to use a original 31 IN plate, of course they are a odd size. I bought
one of those adjustable frames, but of course I had to modify it. I like the
looks of the old plate, and will not repaint it.
[IMG]http://i1078.photobucket.com/albums/...psn41z1ljs.jpg[/IMG]
Rich
Keep up the nice work Rich!
Great work. All that metal work will set it off for sure!