Thread: 1931 Model A Coupe

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Rich, I know it's probably simple (or that this is a dumb question) but can you explain the steps with the hammer form to get to the piece with the smoothly rolled edge?

Roger:
That wood buck was routered with a 3/4" rounding bit, and everything sanded smooth. I did not anneal the piece because I wanted no distortion in
the flat top piece on top. I slowly beat the edges down working the corners into themselves. You cannot allow the wrinkles you form to over lap them selves.
These wrinkles are used to tuck shrink the metal into itself. Start at the top of the tuck (wrinkle) working down to the wider point to flatten it into itself.
I'm sliding the hammer towards the center of the corner as I hit the tuck. If the sides were any longer I would not have been able to control the corners.
With the .063 alum I was able to metal work the marks out, and sand it smooth. We went from 220 grit all the way to 2500 to prep for polishing.
It's very important to keep the piece clamped tightly while working, and have the cover piece as close to the edge as possible, yet give you room to hit the edge
with your body hammer. I try to use plastic mallets on the sides, but the corners require a lot of force so I use the body hammer. I order most of my alumn
from McMaster Carr which will ship 3 x 4 foot pieces ups.
Hope this helps, Rich

Originally Posted by RichB

....Hope this helps, Rich

Helps a bunch! I as imagining that "hammer form" meant just that, but your explanation helped the understanding. Thanks!

That cover is really cool! I just might have to try to ruin, I mean make some pieces similar for my 40.

Believe me Ryan, I have made a lot of scrap in my time ! LOL

Rich, I blew through this thread pretty quick, not much time to sit around and read, you do great work and you have given me many fabrication ideas. Are you going to build an entire hood?

Keith

Rich, first, thanks for the pics and advice on the sand blaster. Also, this is 1 awesome build. You are doing a great job. Hope your feeling better.

Thanks guys!

Keith, Will make just the side panels for the hood. (your Coupe has the perfect stance!)

Rich, thanks, I lucked out on the stance. I started building it when I was in my early 20's no knowing squat. Pretty happy with the way it's turning out. Kids are in the way right now, so the hot rod is on the back burner. Just drive it for a while as is and work out some of the things I don't like...
Did you have to re-arch the rear truck/rumble lid while you had it apart? Mine doesn't fit very well. I don't think much was really straight on these pre-war cars.

Keith: The fit was very poor on Model A's, and most early cars. The curve on the trunk opening on both sides was uneven. I cut a 2 x 4 about 8'" long shaped to the
arc of the opening with a layer of rubber on it. Using a porta power I braced against rear cross member (no trunk floor) , and carefully moved the metal. I had to
cut the vertical support on both sides of the trunk to do this. I had a Brookville lid, which the inner panel was not spot welded to the outer skin. This allowed me to
use my shrinker- stretcher to adjust the lid flanges to fit the opening. The gaps on the side openings were adjusted with the porta power one at a time. I'm still fussing
with curve of the doors to fit the body!
Rich

I have been picking away at the fenders trying to finish the rough in work to
make them fit decent. It's more of the same I posted for the driver side fenders.

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I reshaped the cut out piece to fit the curve of the apron before tacking it back in. I added the needed filler piece to complete the modification.
Rich

the front problems are obvious.

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More boring stuff!

Rich

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I split this flange in 4 places to get the curve I needed to fit the apron. I would have
used the shrinker, but taking the fender on, and off is a real hassle !! If your near my
age you know what I mean! LOL

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Finally! I can move on to the hood panels.
Rich

As always, thank you for making the time to share the pics! And what is boring for you is really fascinating on this end.. I had to do alot of this same work on mine, (the fenders to boards was just awful) but it was 'glas, perhaps a bit easier? maybe but maybe not!! LOL..

Mike
Glass easier? I think not, Iv'e done both, and either one is a lot of work! LOL I'll try to get some 'fresh' pics of the hood
up today if I can straighten out this mix of camera, and phone pics!
Thank's, Rich