Thread: Top chopping tools

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I am getting ready to chop the top on a 46 truck. What tools do you use, hacksaw. cutoff wheel , others ?

sounds like a LOT of fun and WELL worth the time and effort involved.

cut off wheel - 7 1/2" in a circular saw gets nice straight cuts and goes faster/deeper
than a die grinder type.

njoy

Welding machine preferably a mig, clamps, body hammers, angle grinder, tin snips. maybe a few others. hope that gives you some ideas.

Sort of a tool....but before you cut anything make sure you have the body all squared up, well supported, and some braces tacked in so that the body itself remains straight and square when the top is removed....

As for tools, my trusty sawzall is my favorite tool....best thing is of course to have your cuts well planned out rather then just hacking away.... Templates made from posterboard also work very nice to make your cuts the same from side to side......

Tape measure and steel ruler!!! Use them often before you start.

Chopping one of those is like chopping a egg, that's a tough one to do. Not to discourage you but take your time and really pay attention to the lay out, my 2 cents.
Ken

Hello,Another suggestion is ,when welding with a mig on thin metal is to use the smallest wire available, (.023 dia.). This requires less heat then 030.or larger wire and will penetrate deep..
Brian

Masking tape to do your layout lines. It really helps to visualize it before any cuts are made.

And if worst comes to worst you can make a roadster out of it.

Don

Originally Posted by magoins

I am getting ready to chop the top on a 46 truck. What tools do you use, hacksaw. cutoff wheel , others ?

If you absolutely must the chopping will be simple. The planing will take 4-5 times longer. Have you googled other trucks to see what the end result will look like?

i use tape to lay out the cuts with. take the windshield cut from the center so the ends will line up better. if not cutting more than 2 in you can lay the windshield back to meet the top. much easier than cutting the roof up. does not matter what you cut with make your cuts precise and clean. i use a sawsall for most cuts.