Thread: Frame Jigs and Fixtures

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Anyone have a plan for a 32 Ford frame jig, or know where they sell them? I am tossing around rebuilding my 32 frame myself. It would be a very first for me. I would buy a TIG welder, establish a jig somehow and just go slow. I need to deturmine ride heighth, and take a million measurements, and then start cutting out all of the old cross members. I want to box the frame and install a new C.E. X-Member. I don't even have 220 service in the garage yet. I got a 27 T Tudor Sedan on a 32 frame. Suicide front end and I want to install a quick change rear. The frame is twisted from someone installing a transmission cross member in the late 60's and they didn't take the weight off of the frame(motor and trans were in) and it bowed. I know it will cost me alot more to do it myself, but that's kinda what hot rodding is all about. Popping the clutch for the first time and hoping your welds penetrated correctly and the frame is square. I have not fully decided to do this all myself yet, it's just an idea. I would have to run 220 service, build or buy a frame jig, and buy a TIG welder. Any thoughts? There is no time limit, so if I obtain my own jig, I can take as long as I need.

Please Help with suggestions/experiences!!!
Thanks
Rich DeBene
313 563 2072

I've got a jig for Deuce frames and the appropriate fixtures to narrow it down to fit an A Body. The cost and time involved for a one time use would be prohibitive, in my opinion. And no, I'm not promoting my own biz, got plenty enough allready, thank you. With no experience in fabricating frames, jigs, or holding fixtures in my opinion you would be much better off hiring it done. A Lincoln square wave tig is about $4,000.00, add another $1,000.00 for materials, clamps, adjusters, fixtures, etc. You will also need a band saw (or chop saw), levels, squares, angle finders, grinders, sanders and a multitude of other things. Seems you would have somewhere in the neighborhood of $7,000.00 plus just getting ready to do the frame. Half that or less will buy a new frame with boxing plates, crossmembers, spreader bars, suspension attachment brackets allready done. Plus you would more than likely be buying it from someone experienced in putting frames together. Just my 2 cents worth.

Well he may use the TIG welder all the time though Dave... I sure know that I would spend that money because I would love to have a TIG welder instead of my MIG but the TIG welder and tools would be worth it if you are using them all the time. For the jig I don't have any clue. I am sure you can find plans somewhere on the net on how to build one, you just got to search and they may cost some money too or they may not. But yeah Dave is right, if this will be a one time thing and you won't use the welder and all those tools all the time then it's not worth it but I am sure that if you get a welder and even if you don't plan on using it a lot, you most likely will... TIG welders are addicting. lol

Originally posted by FMXhellraiser
Well he may use the TIG welder all the time though Dave... I sure know that I would spend that money because I would love to have a TIG welder instead of my MIG but the TIG welder and tools would be worth it if you are using them all the time. For the jig I don't have any clue. I am sure you can find plans somewhere on the net on how to build one, you just got to search and they may cost some money too or they may not. But yeah Dave is right, if this will be a one time thing and you won't use the welder and all those tools all the time then it's not worth it but I am sure that if you get a welder and even if you don't plan on using it a lot, you most likely will... TIG welders are addicting. lol

I've built one myself for my 34 frame.
First I measured my frame and found out it was strraight and not bended. Then I built the jig and fastend the frame on it. Now I can cut and make changes on the frame and the rest of the frame will stay in place. The jig is built of 2x4" square tube. I made the feets possibel to change the lenght.
It's really simple, but make it as accurate as possible at all ways and angles. That's because you not only use the jig to holde the frame in position. You also use the jig as references when you measure different length's, angles and so on.

Excuse my poor english. I've just come home from work.

Here's another picture with the frame and body in place.

Good looking jig, Staleg. Some great advice in your post, too. How's the 34 coming along?? Looking good in the pic of it on the jig, anxious to see more of it.

Originally posted by staleg


Excuse my poor english. I've just come home from work.

So staleg what do you do at work all day that makes you talk like dat' when you get home?? He HE He just kiddin' ....just kiddin' ..... Been a long day here too and stil not over.

Won't know if mine is a good jig or not til' that first full pass down the track. I might just bring a change of clothes just in case. He He He

Originally posted by pro70z28
So staleg what do you do at work all day that makes you talk like dat' when you get home?? He HE He just kiddin' ....just kiddin' ..... Been a long day here too and stil not over.

Well. Since i live in Norway I speak Norwegian most of the time...
And after a hard day on work my english is probably not quite on top.

Dave: I work on the car 3-4 evenings a week. That means it don't goes fast forward, but it don't stop either.
Just now I'm restoring/rebuilding the doors.
All the rust is removed from the bottom both on the inside and outside. All kinds of locks, windows handles etc were missing.

Ihave fitted locks, inside handles and power windovs bought cheap at the wreckingyard.
New aftermarked powerlocks is in place and I have made room for for a 6,5" speaker.
Outside handles are bought from Bob Drake.

It's still some finish and details left, but I'll post "before" and "after" pictures when they are finished.

Sounds like you are making good progress on the car, Staleg. Anxious to see more pics as you go along with the build. By the way, your English is excellent, far better that my Norwegian!!!!

Norsk:
hehe...
Rart aa lese norsk paa et engelsk spraaklig forum!
Har holdt paa med bilen i snart 4 aar naa. (Karosseriet var veldig daarlig.)Regner med minst 3 aar til foer den er ferdig. Siden jeg ikke er rik, gjør jeg svært nye selv, men for meg er det viktig.

English:
haha...
Strange to read Norwegian in an US' discussion group.
Have worked on the car for 4 years now. (The body was very bad in the beginning).
I guess at least another 3 years will pass before the car is on the road.
Since I'm not a rich man, I do all the work myself, but for me that's an important bit of it all.

Originally posted by staleg

Well. Since i live in Norway I speak Norwegian most of the time...
And after a hard day on work my english is probably not quite on top.

I'm told I'm part Norwegian. I have all I can handle just speakin' English tho. HE He He

Originally posted by Streets
ÆsitatÅ Som skiller er Norsk? ??.. Det er det VIRKELIGE spørsmålet PROZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz??

Hey, I understand the "Quote" part. He e He
The rest seems to be Greek.

Originally posted by pro70z28
Hey, I understand the "Quote" part. He e He
The rest seems to be Greek.

Greek???

It's Norwegian.

Originally posted by staleg
Greek???

It's Norwegian.

''It's all greek to me''. (Old Saying). HE HE HE