Auto Rod Tech's Project Thread

That hood just brought back memories of the one I did years ago. The funny part (stupid really) I was gonna do some engine work and thought to myself let's get this thing out of my way. So thinking stupidly I figured I would do it myself..... Well when the last thread from the last bolt let go I quickly found out how heavy, big and awkward that thing was. It without hesitation flew out of my hands and smashed on the floor nose first. It looked real close to that, so that started the whole redo process.

Looks like your really making some good headway but I know first hand there is a metric crap load of work still but I know you'll get her done in short order with stunning results.

When I was doing mine I tried to keep track of my hours but lost track after 650. I know I had 28hrs in each quarter panel blocking and repriming 3 times with guide coats waiting 2mo between priming allowing everything to cure. Those quarters are huge and demand time to get them laser straight and with no body lines to help.

I didn't go to the extreme you have I stayed on the exterior and jams. Have you or do you kept track of the hours you put into your builds?
 
I have record of the hours but I haven't went back to add them all up on any of the projects, I bill most projects weekly so I would have to go back and add the hours from each invoice over the course of how long the car has been in the shop.. I would like to go back and do so ever if ever find the time, but then sometimes I think maybe I don't want to know. lol.
 
Progress pics on the 57', rear panels are finally welded on, everything is looking pretty good, we have a very good start on body lines.





 
Hey Chad, just joined this site a couple of weeks ago. Always enjoy seeing your stuff on pro -touring, now I can see it here.
 
Hey Chad, just joined this site a couple of weeks ago. Always enjoy seeing your stuff on pro -touring, now I can see it here.
 
I had the 3 piece bumpers on mine. Is that what you are going to use or the California 1piece? Any idea on color? I shot mine Dodge Viper blue DuPont I found DuPont had a slightly more purple hue compared to PPG when I did a sprayout and liked it.
 
I think he is going to go with the copper toned color, I forget the name.. And I believe the plan is 3 piece.
 
We put in a lower patch on this 57, the bottom was rusted out but this fender was also involved in a accident, above the patch was caved in, it took some time but I was able to raise the panel back up but running it through the english wheel and a lot of time with a dolly and slapper. I actually over wheeled a spot and raised it to far. and had to run over the panel with the shrinking disc a few times to straighten it out.. I've always struggled with the final metal finishing stage, so pretty happy this one came out straight. I figure if I keep playing with metal I will figure it out sooner or later.
 
[QUOTE='68 Coronet R/T;n77883]Well, you are light years ahead of me. LOL[/QUOTE]



Ohh, I don't know about that, as with everything it's little tricks here and there that help you out along the way.
 
MX442;n78077 said:
Can I say this here? That's a nice tool!
Click to expand...


The magnetic brake? It's a love/hate tool for me. It allows me to do a lot of things I would struggle doing with out it but it has a lot of limitations. I'm working on a fix for that now though. :)
 
Give it a shot next time you need to bend up some mounting brackets in shorter lengths. Here's a piece of 11 ga just over 6" long that I did a test bend in the mag brake... But I gotta agree, they do have their limitations..


Picture%203715.jpg



......and that truck interior is sweet!
 
I use the press brake for heavy gauge, but where I am limited is things such as trying to roll a 5' piece of sheet around a 1" piece of round pipe, which I did for my bed sides on the 37'.
It really struggled and didn't have enough magnet to hold it all together. Am I over using it?? Most likely, but it's what I do. lol. Working on a fix for it but it will take me a bit to get it finished.
I'll keep you posted on this one. :)

I guess my point is, for me bending a piece of 11 ga in a short stretch doesn't help me much at all, but being able to bend something as this tail gate skin when it is longer than the brake and the brake can't hold the panel down or the edges don't bend correctly it isn't as useful as I hoped, however by bending over the length of the break I'm already trying to over use it. So not sure if it's a valid complaint, which is why it's a love/hate relationship.. Once I fix it I'll be happy, unless of course my hair brained idea shorts out the whole system.. Stay tuned. lol

In all honesty I should have bought the bigger brake, my wallet put up too big of a fight though.

P.S. I abuse the SPI clear and Epoxy on a weekly basis and it doesn't complain, see the difference here? hahaha.. I couldn't help myself.
 
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