Thread: 55 Wagon Progress
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03-24-2013 07:36 PM #1
You could use the same basic procedure to weld along the edge, then grind to flatten front and back sides, mark with compass and grind edge to set gaps.Robert
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03-25-2013 06:59 AM #2
Roger
Enjoy the little things in life, and you may look back one day and realize that they were really the BIG things.
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03-25-2013 07:58 AM #3
Most times you'll have wider gaps to contend with, and in the case of a f/g car, adding material to a door edge is less of an option, so it's more about making the gaps consistent for less noticeable differences. Here's a thread on a car I didn't get a chance to finish, but shows some of the challenges with gaps and f/g. Quite a bit of work went into that, and a paint job went south because the owner's "project manager" (a nicer word for bitch boy) forced unrealistic demands in getting a paint job done when weather conditions didn't match the materials I had bought.
Progress Pictures, 1954 Vette - THE H.A.M.B.
So as you can see, Robert can screw up with the best of them..
With steel, you have more options in removal and adding material to adjust gaps. Depending on the paint, about 3/16 gap is what I shoot for. If you're looking at much more paint going on, i.e.: multi-coats that a Kandy finish would give, you may want to open them up a bit more....Robert
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03-25-2013 06:48 AM #4
You metal work is very impressive. The sad thing is that your modifications are so subtle and so well done that most people won't be even realize what you did. Nice work!
Lynn
'32 3W
There's no 12 step program for stupid!
http://photo.net/photos/Lynn%20Johanson
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03-25-2013 11:03 AM #5
Thanks for the reply. My gaps are almost all 1/16" or even less in places. I'm going basic black base coat/clear coat, so buildup shouldn't be an issue for me.Roger
Enjoy the little things in life, and you may look back one day and realize that they were really the BIG things.
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03-25-2013 11:30 AM #6
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Robert, very nice metal work! Do you plan to shave the inner seam on the front fenders on the 8 o'clock posiotion on the head light openings of the front fenders? On the widening a door gap, I always see pictures of a metal rod welded to the edge of doors or what ever. Is that metal rod a coat hanger or brazing rod of some sort?Ryan
1940 Ford Deluxe Tudor 354 Hemi 46RH Electric Blue w/multi-color flames, Ford 9" Residing in multiple pieces
1968 Corvette Coupe 5.9 Cummins Drag Car 11.43@130mph No stall leaving the line with 1250 rpm's and poor 2.2 60'
1972 Chevy K30 Longhorn P-pumped 24v Compound Turbos 47RH Just another money pit
1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR Stage 3 cam, SuperT10
Tire Sizes
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03-25-2013 11:43 AM #7
Roger, IMO 1/16 would be too tight and will result in paint chips as the body/doors/trunk lid flexes and moves around during road travel. On a positive note, at least they give you plenty of material to get the gaps set as you like...
Ryan, that will likely get done as well, but will wait until the front end comes apart again.. Re: the welding rod tacked on, I think you were likely looking at a TIG welding rod, which is copper coated steel. I haven't run into the need to fill a gap (yet) on steel, seems all of mine have been the other way around.Robert
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03-25-2013 01:40 PM #8
I agree, I was simply saying that my door gaps are very, very tight, and wondering what the "ideal" gap would be. I've got the driver's door done about 1/3 of the way around, using a 5/32" drill bit as my "feeler gauge". I need to find one of those "Vixen" files. The Mill Bastard tooth is a bit light for the work I'm doing.Roger
Enjoy the little things in life, and you may look back one day and realize that they were really the BIG things.
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03-25-2013 12:27 PM #9
In the past I used the striker end of a match book as a guide for gaps.Charlie
Lovin' what I do and doing what I love
Some guys can fix broken NO ONE can fix STUPID
W8AMR
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Christian in training
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03-25-2013 03:15 PM #10
Paint stick and a penny is the gap I've always used, kind of an old saying around here. When doing body work, always seem to have a paint stick around, and on the good days even a penny in the pocket!!!!Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, Live for Today!
Carroll Shelby
Learning must be difficult for those who already know it all!!!!
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03-25-2013 03:27 PM #11
Roger
Enjoy the little things in life, and you may look back one day and realize that they were really the BIG things.
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03-25-2013 04:02 PM #12
That's a thick paint stick!!!! I like to stay somewhere's between 1/8" - 3/16" on driver's, tight side of 1/8" on trailered carsYesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, Live for Today!
Carroll Shelby
Learning must be difficult for those who already know it all!!!!
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03-26-2013 07:09 PM #13
Continuing on to the driver's side, this one is a bit tighter at the bottom than the other, shows about 1/32 gap. Used the compass again to mark the cut line...
Tacked, welded, and welds dressed...
All finished for this evening, have a couple pin holes to fix, will get them when we do the top...
Measured the gap on both sides, it is right at 5/32", or to be more technical, one paint stick width....
Robert
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03-26-2013 07:33 PM #14
- Join Date
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- Car Year, Make, Model: 40 Ford Deluxe, 68 Corvette, 72&76 K30
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Wow, great work! Thanks for posting this. I never gave a thought to using a compass for this. That's a great idea!Ryan
1940 Ford Deluxe Tudor 354 Hemi 46RH Electric Blue w/multi-color flames, Ford 9" Residing in multiple pieces
1968 Corvette Coupe 5.9 Cummins Drag Car 11.43@130mph No stall leaving the line with 1250 rpm's and poor 2.2 60'
1972 Chevy K30 Longhorn P-pumped 24v Compound Turbos 47RH Just another money pit
1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR Stage 3 cam, SuperT10
Tire Sizes
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03-26-2013 09:55 PM #15
johnboy
Mountain man. (Retired.)
Some mistakes are too much fun to be made only once.
I don't know everything about anything, and I don't know anything about lots of things.
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'49 Morris Minor. Datsun 1500cc, 5sp manual, Marina front axle, Nissan rear axle.
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In our neighborhood, 2 blocks down the hill was a gas station that (to me) all the cool car guys hung out there. 32 coupes, 33 & 34 Fords as well, a sweet 56 Ford Beach wagon that was setup gasser...
How did you get hooked on cars?