Thread: '38 Ford deck lid vs 37 Ford deck lid

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Wow, that's some expensive sheetmetal!! Depending on what tools and equipment you have access to, could build the tail pan.....not anything simple but it could be done. I'm just too tight to pay the high prices for the repop stuff so I've had to learn to build a lot of pieces....

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Wow, that's some expensive sheetmetal!! Depending on what tools and equipment you have access to, could build the tail pan.....not anything simple but it could be done. I'm just too tight to pay the high prices for the repop stuff so I've had to learn to build a lot of pieces....

I'm tight, too, plus I can't really afford it! There are a couple of braces on each side of the tailpan. If I remove those, I can have access to most of the panel from the inside. I think I'll see what I can do with that first. I need to get some better body hammers, though. Any kind that you recommend??

I have a couple of Martin's, they're really nice and an old set of Snap-on hammers that I've had for better then 20 years! Having a set of good, well balanced hammers makes all the difference in the world!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

I have a couple of Martin's, they're really nice and an old set of Snap-on hammers that I've had for better then 20 years! Having a set of good, well balanced hammers makes all the difference in the world!

Do you know which Martins you have? I have a cheapy hammer & dolly set. the dollies are fine but the hammers suck.

Randy - are those the EMS prices for the body panels? WOW !!!

I've seen Martin's selling new at swap meets fairly reasonably - but still in the $30 range. Whichever hammer(s) you end up with, I think you will prefer the hickory handle rather then fiberglass. I had one with a 'glass handle and sold it, replacing it with the wood. It just didn't 'feel' right - but then I sold the the '31 sedan body and really haven't been used much since.

I've got a long head pick, then just a nice dingin' hammer with a chisel point end.

Originally Posted by IC2

Randy - are those the EMS prices for the body panels? WOW !!!

I've seen Martin's selling new at swap meets fairly reasonably - but still in the $30 range. Whichever hammer(s) you end up with, I think you will prefer the hickory handle rather then fiberglass. I had one with a 'glass handle and sold it, replacing it with the wood. It just didn't 'feel' right - but then I sold the the '31 sedan body and really haven't been used much since.

Yeah, Dave, those EMS panels sold thru Hotrod Sheetmetal 1937-40 Ford Sheet Metal Argh!!

Will do some shopping for appropriate hammer/s. I got some hammerin' to do!

Originally Posted by randyr

Yeah, Dave, those EMS panels sold thru Hotrod Sheetmetal 1937-40 Ford Sheet Metal Argh!!

Will do some shopping for appropriate hammer/s. I got some hammerin' to do!

I found it amusing that you folks are naming your hammers... I've got 3 sizes of ball pein, and 3 sizes of sledge hammers.. oh and a couple framing hammers and a new upholstery brad setting hammer..

Randy, I'll be living vicariously (sic?) through you on this phase of the project!

OH, ALMOST forgot... pictures please? I'm learning and need pics!

Body work goes so much better when you have quality tools to do it with!!! I've got a lot of different dollies that I've made to fit peculiar applications over the years, too. Sometimes it takes a special backer on an edge or in an area such as a door or trunk sill to get things straight. Different sizes of heavy wall tubing held in a vice are great for shaping rounded pieces, etc.... Oh yeah, and the aluminum light pole in the alley is the perfect shape for the rounded edge of a rolled pan!!!!

Originally Posted by 34_40

I found it amusing that you folks are naming your hammers... I've got 3 sizes of ball pein, and 3 sizes of sledge hammers.. oh and a couple framing hammers and a new upholstery brad setting hammer..

Randy, I'll be living vicariously (sic?) through you on this phase of the project!

OH, ALMOST forgot... pictures please? I'm learning and need pics!

Well, Mike, you obviously didn't have to do much metal shaping on a fiberglass car!!
Now, for naming my hammers, I want one named Brutus for the big stuff, maybe one named Adele for powerful fine tuning and maybe a FiFi for dainty detailed work.

And what do you mean, "pictures please"??? Did you not see my previous posts???

This is what I have for hammerin' car bodies. As Mike said, and not pictured, a bunch of ball pein hammers, a 4 pound sledge and for rough in work, a nicely balanced 8 pounder, then there are several general carpentry and specialized other versions.

The Martin dolly is a 1060, the Martin hammer is a 158G with the dinging hammer a Fairmont (I recall paying a buck for it at a yard sale) and every bit as nice as the Martin and the one replaced the 'glass handled hammer. That clunk dolly is what's left of a $10 K-mart set - and while beat up, does 'feel' good.

Body tools.jpg

What do you call those ? Sleepers cause they don't look used.

Originally Posted by angrystroker

What do you call those ? Sleepers cause they don't look used.

Hey angrystroker, I'm sure those hammers have seen plenty of use! It's just that Dave (IC2) is very meticulous about his tools & his workspace. I don't know how he does it because even after one use, my stuff looks like crap! LOL!

Originally Posted by angrystroker

What do you call those ? Sleepers cause they don't look used.

Do I even know who you are??

My tools are just that - tools. Whether they look used/abused or not - not your concern.
I use them, clean them and put them in their back in their clean storage area

Originally Posted by randyr

Well, Mike, you obviously didn't have to do much metal shaping on a fiberglass car!!
Now, for naming my hammers, I want one named Brutus for the big stuff, maybe one named Adele for powerful fine tuning and maybe a FiFi for dainty detailed work.

And what do you mean, "pictures please"??? Did you not see my previous posts???

I wasn't referring to this car! Most of the others were Cougars and Mustangs and I just never "got into" the body work side of cars.

The name Martin is what caught my attention. While I didn't use a lot of their tools, I knew sections of their catalogs by heart when it came to conveyors / shafting / bearings when I maintained incinerators.

And I always thank you for the pictures. I was just reminding you that I'm learning and am very interested in your project, and I wish to see how you get yourself out of this mess!