Thread: Project Special K

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Thanks Whiplash. I feel like ammature hour here, but some of the most skilled builders on this site, have been the most helpful, time and time again. Some stuff just comes as a learning curve! I really wish I got to do welding in high school shop, but I took basic auto, auto chassis, and auto electrics, and rebuilt my 289 in my Mustang there! I also took wood shop, but never quite had time for metal shop.
I wish they had welding for dummies course!
I am enjoying this build, it's fun most of the time, and when not, I take a break, and then come back to it when it will be. The best part and worst part are doing it myself!
After reading all of the accidents in rods lately, I fear about my own skills!
Before this one hits the road I'll take it to a professional mechanic for the once over, and some fine tuning!

Originally Posted by stovens

I wish they had welding for dummies course!

Steve, you should check out your local community college curriculum to see if they offer a basic welding course. I took one a number of years ago and it included the full range of welding modalities including oxy/acetylene, stick, MIG and TIG, While the course itself won't make you an expert welder (that takes lots and lots of practice) it does give you the basics. The course I took was not expensive and was one night a week for a couple of months. They even let you bring in your own projects to practice on. I took the aluminum hood from my MGA and TIG welded a torn section. That was probably worth the price of the course.

Restorod I checked into that and they do offer a course. Problem is the times and my work schedule conflict. One of these days I'll make it work!

Today I built a 4x 8 foot 2x4 frame to put the bed on while I do the body work on it. I would have put a 3/4 ' plywood top on, but that means a drive North on the freeway or south(time killers!) So for now, this will work, and next time I have to run up the high way I'll pick up a sheet. Turned out well, and will also use this platform for the front hood work and maybe as a painting pedestal.
FYI the black spots on the concrete are drips of POR 15 from over a year ago, that stuff doesn't go away or come off easy!

Originally Posted by stovens

Thanks Whiplash. I feel like ammature hour here, but some of the most skilled builders on this site, have been the most helpful, time and time again. Some stuff just comes as a learning curve! I really wish I got to do welding in high school shop, but I took basic auto, auto chassis, and auto electrics, and rebuilt my 289 in my Mustang there! I also took wood shop, but never quite had time for metal shop.
I wish they had welding for dummies course!
I am enjoying this build, it's fun most of the time, and when not, I take a break, and then come back to it when it will be. The best part and worst part are doing it myself!
After reading all of the accidents in rods lately, I fear about my own skills!
Before this one hits the road I'll take it to a professional mechanic for the once over, and some fine tuning!

Steve,you might have been told this already,,,but if you dont try to do something,you wont know if you can or not...What you have done so far has probably saved you quite a few bucks,so keep on pluggin at it brother..You are doing ok..My weakness is electrics,,try as I might,I just cant get my head around it,,it takes me half a day to install a car stereo...Body work,fiberglass,painting,,no probs...been doing it for thirty years...but those darn auto electrics..and some engineering tasks..forget it,,but in saying that,I have tried,,just a little out of my comfort zone,but at 56,I am still learning..

You're coming along great Steve. BTW, Harbor Freight sells a copper welding spoon that is made to use as a backer for welding. We bought one not long ago. I tried using a penny one time because I couldn't find any other copper in the shop and it caught fire and turned to white powder.

I like your platform, it will save you from bending over too much.

Don

Yes Steve,as others have said, you have and are doing an excellent job on your truck, so just work at it at your pace. I would agree with Dave also, good table and solid but somehow bolt the bed to the table so it can not escape from you when you are working on it. I purchased a Tig welder 2 to3 years ago and taught myself how to use it, at first I was horribly disappointed in my first bird droppings welds but I just practiced and practiced on offcuts until I was happy to weld on the car. Mig welding is easier I think but like anything, practice makes prefect.

Today I got the bed panel installed. It actually wasn't that hard. I just used a sawall to cut the old bolts off (actually they were hot hammered rivets!). I then used some steel screws to put the new panel in. Not sure if I will weld it, and then cut the bolts down and weld them in to look like rivets again.
Old vs new wish I could afford a whole new bed, but it sure does look better now!

Looking good Steve, I just hope and pray that the weather doesn't change and start to rain as it would take some man handling to get that into your garage.

Originally Posted by Whiplash23T

Looking good Steve, I just hope and pray that the weather doesn't change and start to rain as it would take some man handling to get that into your garage.

Actually that's the beauty of the stand, it's bed height, so with some major pushing it will slide on the frame of the truck. The frame is coated with Por 15, which doesn't seem to scratch despite sharp edges and heavy wt.!