55 Wagon Progress

[MP&C]

Project updates for todays class:


Wiring top edge of the copper trash can..























Roadster quarter, making dies for the upper bead detail....














Sharpening the crease








A bit of shrinking....





Test fit...








Marking for trimming the wheel opening...








Inside radius backstop








Scooter fender...





Trimming...











Prepping for Sport Coupe door skin removal











We took a short break for a Maryland treat...








of course, using only the correct utensils....








Blocking the top section of the roadster quarter.....

[MP&C]

Today Peter demonstrated lead loading aluminum sheet...


https://youtu.be/MSfK9XhnLeM

[MP&C]

Final update of the class, pictures from yesterday.

Wheeling door skin for a sport coupe:










Annealing copper wire to use as rivets:














Cover plate for military vehicle:





Paper pattern











Tuck shrinking on post dolly








Forming upper quarter reverse














Wheel opening bead detail added











Tipping flange with vise grips with jaws that have been smoothed...





Stretching





























Loading stumps for the journey to their new home..











This class has been a blast, Peter is a wealth of knowledge and experience, and we are honored to have him share and pass this on to others. Anxiously looking forward to next year!

[DanStokes]

Just simply wonderful stuff. How much more difficult is this if you have arthritis in your thumbs? I'm finding that operating a hammer is more difficult these days but my technique may suck or I'm counting on a hammer when there is other equipment that could do the job w/o beating. Any insights along these lines? I know - get an apprentice (doesn't seem to be an option).

Dan

[MP&C]

Dan, once our joints start to go, machines will make the task easier. Where someone will need quite a bit of production volume to legitimize a power hammer, Kent White (TinManTech.com) sells some planishing hammers in various sizes such that the larger will begin to act like a power hammer and actually move a bit of metal. Then there are some smaller "hammers" such as the Dake or ShopDog, but that still is in the 5K range. None of these type devices are cheap, but are considerably better than a Yoder hammer. The other option, there are a few home-made hammers that the "builds" are well documented on some of the metalshaping sites..

[DanStokes]

Thanks for the insight. I'm still thinking the apprentice route may be the way to go but no luck so far. S/he would have to be willing to work for free lunches.

Dan

[MP&C]

Check out the local street corners for hand held signs...."will work for food"

[DanStokes]

I've found it's more like "will work for booze" and they get really annoyed if you try to pick them up to come and do work. Tried that once for some shovel work I needed done. Our local Hispanic guys are a much better bet - they work like crazy and do the work needed for the price agreed. But I don't think any of them want to be my garage slave as they require money and all I have to offer is my old-man stories and experience.

Dan

[MP&C]

Finishing up the scooter fender..,





Marked for trimming...











Tipping wheel to set the side flange....











Profile comparison, front to rear...








.....and side to side...








about ready for shipping to AZ.....





.... and Kyle is dressing some welds and weld touch up to get the body ready for media blasting...








Hey. you can still walk in this place...

[DanStokes]

It would be an absolute shame to paint that fender. Maybe just a coat of clear. Beautiful work.

Dan

[pintoboy77]

You guys do beautiful work I've got to check into one of these classes!

[MP&C]

Thanks guys!


Not much to show, still working on grinding welds and filling pin holes... A good testament to using Tig or O/A welding


Also welded up/shaved the upper firewall seam....








Lesson for this evening is to watch welding around stuff mounted JUST BEHIND the firewall!

[MP&C]

Well, more welding, grinding, and then we decided to give the roof insulation removal a try. Picked a spot and dumped on some lacquer thinner, which softened it up nicely and then made a sticky mess. So we put the putty knives aside and tried the paint scrapers..... without solvents. Dry removal was definitely better...














Also got another shipment of shirts in from Bonehead Graphics...





and promised the owner a modified set of spot welder tips to tackle his own wagon roof repairs...

[Criscobath]

I'm thoroughly enjoying this.

[MP&C]

Thanks!


Well time to finish up Randy's scooter fender(s). The original (rear) had been loose at some point as the fender mounting holes were nice and elongated from flopping around. So I'll get them filled in and Randy will need to match drill them to the frame..








Use the right tools for the job :headscrat





After marking, when cutting out such a small piece I like to leave a "handle" until the very end..








....gives you something to hold onto while fine tuning the fit





Nice and snug....





Tacking in the filler piece...



















Next was to trim a nice radius on the front and back ends of the new front fender....








Last on the list, the forming process with the old fender left some "pie crust" edging, as seen here and in an original photo...








So we needed a special tool in order to duplicate this feature...








Spacing all marked out....





Finished edge...













All ready for delivery!