Thread: 73 charger the saga

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A technique I tried for dealing with the resultant bumps:

Without a stud in the tip, I applied the weld gun for about three seconds, got the bump red hot. Then rap the bump with a hammer while it's still glowing. Ya gotta move fast. It knocks down about half the bump.

When my stud lever comes, I'll put some studs on between the bumps, and see if I can hammer down the bumps, using the stud lever.

I got the stud lever today. Looks as if they really want me to buy a hot glue suction cup kit. ( came with the attachments, but not the cups). I was disappointed to see it was not aluminum, but some type of polymer resin. (Plastic)

So I finagled the deal for renting the lift, and figured out how to get me, tools, and welder along with the steaming turd into town. When I set up, calamity of horror, I was almost out of gas on the welder.

So, I patched up the inner on the passenger quarter. Didn't finish out the final welding on the rear quarters. No pictures, time at a premium - the lift and power was contracted at $30 p/hr. I'll get the bottle refilled, and contract another round. Unless I can get a lift installation.

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

So I finagled the deal for renting the lift, and figured out how to get me, tools, and welder along with the steaming turd into town. When I set up, calamity of horror, I was almost out of gas on the welder.

So, I patched up the inner on the passenger quarter. Didn't finish out the final welding on the rear quarters. No pictures, time at a premium - the lift and power was contracted at $30 p/hr. I'll get the bottle refilled, and contract another round. Unless I can get a lift installation.

Murphy strikes again!
Man but I can relate to that!


I think we all can...

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

....I was disappointed to see it was not aluminum, but some type of polymer resin. (Plastic)

That eBay listing that Ken posted says pretty clearly

A strong reinforced Nylon lever....

Not being critical, but it's not like they hide what it's made of, and I'd think that a reinforced Nylon is a pretty good choice for the material, given the service it sees.

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

No pictures, time at a premium - the lift and power was contracted at $30 p/hr.

Wow! After about a week or two you'll pay the cost of a lift at that rate! Have you really shopped for installation? The guys at BendPak say they'll quote their unit with delivery, and with or without installation. If I spring for one it will likely be the four post with caster kit that can be moved around when unloaded - BendPak HD-7W Four Post Extra-High, Extra-Wide 7,000 Lb. Capacity

Thx for the tip, ill check them out. There are plenty of suppliers for lifts, but most seem to have unavailable contractors for installation. As for a week or two, no. Maybe another hour or two

I obviously didn't read the description on the stud lever. I was expecting a metal tool, that's all.

I sent Bendpak an email, but reading the delivery description isn't promising.

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

I sent Bendpak an email, but reading the delivery description isn't promising.

I thought "Free Delivery to the Lower 48" was a pretty good deal, but I haven't read all of the boiler plate. I think that Don (DA34Guy) has had three different ones through the years (due to moves, etc) so he may be able to offer comment based on his experience.

Looks like 'customer is responsible for unloading' and ' some ' trucks have a hydraulic lift gate for 'additional fee'. Looking at the trucks they show in the ad, I'll have to get traffic stopped on the hiway, and those big rigs always end up trying to put their trailer in the ditch. It's a helluva hassle.

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

Looks like 'customer is responsible for unloading' and ' some ' trucks have a hydraulic lift gate for 'additional fee'. Looking at the trucks they show in the ad, I'll have to get traffic stopped on the hiway, and those big rigs always end up trying to put their trailer in the ditch. It's a helluva hassle.

In my experience the customer is always responsible for unloading, but you have the choice of having heavy items delivered to their local freight receiver, and then either going to pick it up yourself with pickup or trailer, or having it delivered using a "Tommy Lift" type truck, sometimes for an extra charge. For a four post lift, I would think that having it delivered to their local receiver would be the ticket, as they almost always have several options for loading to your truck/trailer. Of course, then you have to deal with unloading it at home.... I think I would call them and see if they have an option to deliver it to their regional installer, and then for him to bring out all of the pieces/parts when it's time to assemble. I expect you'll pay a little extra for that, but paying for convenience should be expected, right?

The lever works well for the larger studs, but slips horribly with the smaller.


All pulled out, no big bumps

ok, try again, first post failed.

My evaluation of the stud lever:

In it's current form, it must be the cat's meow for lighter panels, assuming you can use the heavier studs.

I have a larger size stud which I've not used yet. Obviously if the tool is deforming with the middle strength stud, then it's too light to handle the large studs.

Tool is excellent for the mid range studs. Grabs studs securely, and affords great control in pulling dents. Puts a slide hammer to shame.

I'm interested to see what day has to say about it.

And about this lift situation:

I am not expecting something for free. But as a consumer, I am finding it ( so far ) impossible to simply BUY ONE INSTALLED.

It's all I want, to pick up the phone, and order one.
Installed.

Oh, and without having to coordinate the effort with the local P.D. involved (to block traffic) and having to instruct the driver on the finer points of backing a big rig... would be nice.

Just got a call back from best buy automotive group.

Their subcontractor quotes $1345 to install

Nope.

Glad to hear you had some luck with the stud lever using larger studs. I have only used the larger studs so I did not have any experience with that. Cool about the lift. They are charging $400-$500 to install a lift here in Florida. I have been looking into one for my shop as well. Good luck!