Thread: Model A top chop

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Think carefully before attempting a chop. What type of welding gear do you have? Can you weld sheet metal effectively? Do you have decent sheet metal working experience? The reason I ask is that I chopped the top on a '30 A-bone sedan, and all three of those questions came into play. I got it done, but at least a hundred times I wished I'd never started. I also had some help from a good friend who ran a body shop. It takes a lot of planning and quite a bit of skill, and is too complex to describe here. I suggest you look at as many YouTube videos as you can, and buy THIS BOOK. Tex Smith's BOOK is available, but it is quite a bit more expensive. However, the expense of those books is nothing compared to the expense of fixing a messed-up top chop. I'm not trying to discourage you - just passing on my experience.

THIS VIDEO shows a part of the job, but certainly not all.

i hope your young and short while it looks cool a chop top is not for everyone. blowing down the hwy looking out a 6 in windshield aint all it's made out to be . if possible find someone to ride with before you start cutting .

Hi Henry,
Thanks for the precautionary words. I have a 120v Miller that I have had for 17 years. That does not mean I have been a welder for 17 years but in the last few my ability has increased a lot; that means I don't have to grind all my welds any more so as not to embarrass myself. I also have Miller Syncrowave 250 and am in my beginning learning curve but not confident enough to do the chop or insert with 18 gauge. Gas welding ability is poor. I have Tex's book and a few others ( very sad about his passing, he left a hole that I don't think can be filled ) I actually started this 18 years ago but had to retire it after the first year to devote more time to prepare for retirement. I finally dragged it out of the rafters about a year ago and been having a lot of fun and frustrations. I like tinkering, learning and staying busy so we will see where it goes
Bob