Thanks for the encouragement! And the response...means a lot to me... Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I like doing things like that also- using different materials and finishes to highlight areas. They refer to it sometimes as "paint detailing" on a chassis. You going to clear coat the raw steel? Do it with gloss, let it dry real good, then knock the shine down with 0000 steel wool ( very lightly). Here's my "Irish" green driveshaft, painted while listening to the "Dropkick Murphy's"
I am not a chopped top fan but its your car and I will still love it . Go for it .Save the pieces for conversation starters.
So flux core mig welding runs hotter than gas due to reverse polarity...the old model A skin no likey flux core... Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Going to pick up a tank for gas welding, got my regulator, so in the mean time I figure: use up the crappy flux core on the cage for the stability of the body after the chop. Pretty much ready now, my bro from another mo is going to come over to help in the festivities! Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
So I got my Argon tank, hose and regulator, setting up the right feed, heat, and gas mix...working a lot better! Practice, practice, practice Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Decided to mount rear tail lights and license plate...fun stuff...two more weeks and it’s choppy chop time! Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
IMO... before you cut the top off... set the body with the beltlines level...find a small [4"] carpenter's square with a level... cut a chunk of small square tube the length of your chop... tape it to the vertical... slide the square down the trailing edge of the quarter window till its level...mark at the top and bottom edges... this will tell you where to cut ... the edges will butt when you set the top back on... gonna need a couple cuts up into the roof as the '30-'31 coupe roof tops are wider / longer than the lower half... ... rock on !
I have to agree with MAD 034, no chop and leave the fenders on. But, it's your car! Are you building a "banger" or ??? Most of all, have fun....
When laying out a 3" chop, I use 1" and 3" masking tape, "stacked", so that even if the layout is a little off, it's perfectly parallel. A shot of leftover paint, peel the tape off, and start cutting with a thin kerf 4 1/2" disc in an angle grinder. I also put some tension up on the roof with a 2x4 through the windows and a chainfall so there's no chance of binding. This way you can do it yourself, and also lower the roof back down to fine tune before tacking in place. Key is to go slow.
I recently chopped my 31 coupe 2 3/4”. A few things I learned, with all due respect to others who have posted. Try to make your cuts close to the curvature of the windows and low on the A pillar. Cutting in a jig saw pattern in the rear will preserve the curve of the roof. This will also minimize distortion from welding as the body is stiffer near the curves and the belt line. And yes there will be pie cuts in many places to match the top to the bottom. Your on the right track, but I did my cut lines differently. Hope this helps, good luck with it. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Thanks Mike, means a lot coming from the A coupe guru Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Well today was the day...so thankful for my bro coming over to help in the chop festivities...happy with the result, next up...welding the top on... Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
more accomplished today, got the a pillars, b pillars, and the rear all welded up, sanded down, next up the doors... Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Ok I’m back...top is welded, sanded, filled, and all window trim and windshield frame is cut and done...next up, the body / chassis separation... Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Update: so I live in a rural area and people are just plain busy, so I had to figure out how to remove the body from the chassis solo...So I purchased a 1 ton chain hoist, and a couple of tow straps and bam! Done! Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
My Rolling Chassis is up for sale on Ebay motors: https://www.ebay.com/itm/253592600021?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649
Chassis SOLD! This weekend...next up parts build... Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
The Jalopy Journal
