Hot Rods Hollis Cranmer's louver set

There is about a week in the whole deal with about 70% of it going to lay out. But, I did it over a two week period for two reasons.

1. So I can lay out a panel, set it aside and really LOOK at it a day or two. I still surprise myself at how many times I do something and it looks great on the bench, yet not so good after a day or two of looking at it. I figure the client has to look at it for the life of their ownership of the car, I might as well shoot for perfection!

2. I frequently need time to step away and relax when punching a large order like this. I find I can punch about 100 louvers at a time before my eyes just stop seeing centerlines and such clearly. When that sets in it's time to walk away for a bit and re-fresh. This stuff is a bit like defusing a bomb in that I don't get ANY second chances.

 

Nice job! Third row fifth one back is .003 off.......................................................

 

Wow chip! I want to learn to do this now.

Somebody wanna send me a couple '34 Ford deck lids to practice on?

 

That's SEXY!

 

No it isn't!

 

There's only one way to do it right, and you did it right. A laborer works with his hands, a craftsman works with his brain, and an artist works with his heart. It's easy to see where you fit in.

 

Top Job!

Mario

 

Impressive! you, sir, have definitely earned your G&Ts this week!

 

I'm thinking that the heat had a bit to do with it!

 

Ya, current temp in the shop... lowest it's been all week! And, this is with the cooler going full steam about five feet away!

 

Desert life is not for the weak or stupid.

So why am I going out to weld when it's 105F outside?

My wife says it's brain damage, but WTH does she know!
(OK she says it's only 102 here, so she's not totally useless....)

 

NICE! Brings back the days of bloody finger tips restoring Bugatti GP cars. Bob

 

Yup, I USED to be dumb enough to offer to help sand for my customers that had me punch more than 300... USED to. However, I don't think I am any smarter after looking at that thermometer again.

 

Nice work!

 

Do you notice the shop getting cooler as more air is blowing through every louver you punch? Bob

 

We do louvers here at the shop and I can tell you not only is laying them out critical, but punching them is just as tough. Don't take much to screw up a whole row. Ron

 

By the way very well done. Chip

 

Hey, Chip;

Very nice.

Don't suppose you're up for a tutorial... ? Maybe for Tech Week? Or maybe just because - you Can... ? Your other how-tos are detailed nicely, & well written w/the pics. Because of the way you write, it's like listening to you talk. Hard quality to express. Thanks. Marcus...

 

That's maybe not a bad idea Nrgwizard. If there is really any interest in doing so, I could be up for it. It really wouldn't be of too much help to those with out a louver press except to maybe give folks an idea of what to look for in a louver pattern, or what to expect when they have stuff louvered. Ya, that's maybe really not a bad idea...

 

It's always cool to see how guys do stuff especially when they do it well.

 

One last one on this.... These panels have to get to Hollis' builder, Clint up in Salt Lake City. Well, just about anybody that has ever had a driver's license in Phoenix is involved in Bonneville racing, so as of yesterday the streets in this town are utterly deserted.... One of the many folks heading north today was JERRY, one of the original H.A.M.B.ers, and one of a few that dragged my ass kicking and screaming into '00s by getting me on here. He agreed to transport this load of stuff up in his multi million mile'd truck to Clint's waiting arms! How cool is that? Ya never know what might roll up and deliver your goods when ya work with Hot Rod Central Louver Co.!

 

Once again , thanks so much Chip for a great job on my louvers. Additionaly a BIG thank you to Jerry for doing a favor for an unknown new friend. Thanks !!!!!

 

Progress continues. Body is out for paint.

 

Those beautiful pieces...(yeah, perfect...I examined 'em! Old bud Moe Miller had J&J Custom Shop's old louver press, I helped him punch out a small 214 louver job one Saturday afternoon. And evening. And up to breakfast! My baaack! LOL)
Jerry was likely proud to carry the cool cargo in an extraordinarily cool A-D example...
"Special Delivery!"
Kudos, Chip.

 

Damn, but I do need to redo those fenders! And this is the good side!

Glad to help.


jerry

 

That quote alone tells the best tale about louvering stuff! "One Saturday afternoon. And evening. And up to breakfast! My baaack!" Welcome to my world!!! Again, thanks Hollis, and thanks Jerry!!!

 

All those louvers will look great on his new roadster.