Projects Giant speedster project

Speedway sells 11/16" fine thread nuts.

Or, you can source a castleated version off the top of a Moog K727 ball joint, or any early Ford tie rod end.

Finding a die might be a bit expensive, but you could always single point the threads before you bend the rod.

 

Jerry,
I've been watching this build for awhile now....love it!
McMaster-Carr has 11/16 x 24 stainless nuts for $17 each ( 9562A70Q) and a die for 11/16 x 24 runs $75 (26005A17)

Good luck,
Bruce

 

17 bucks a nut!?

I think I forgot to say this is a low budget build. No offense, but 5/8 nuts are 25 cents. I wasn't happy with my first front fender support. I kinda jumped the gun. ( What does that mean anyway?) So I cut a new rod then turned it down the rod in the lathe and threaded it to 5/8. Luckily I had some oversized 5/8 nuts I ordered for something. I drilled out one of the nuts and welded it in place as a stop and turned it down too. After some precise measuring I fired up the torch and made some precise bends. This fender support came out so good I made another like it for the other side.

Jerry

 

jump the gun
to do something too soon, especially without thinking carefully about it Usage notes: If someone running in a race jumps the gun, they start running before the gun has been fired to start the race.

 

something basket shaped with lacework like on Mississippi riverboats.

 

Jerry,
I was thinking the same thing when I found them! But thought maybe you were dead set on the 11/16 size. I think your end result is the best solution to the issue.

(slipping back into the peanut gallery)
CBB

 

Had an oil pan drain plug(missing) in that size, welded a nut inside to solve the oddball bolt size problem.

 

Jumped the gun. False start. I should have known. I was thinking something from the civil war. "Damn the torpedoes, men, but don't jump the gun!" Turns out nothing so dramatic.

Today I still wasn't happy with the fender height of 45.75". It looked too high. Who knew this fender thing would be such a pain? I cut the supports in half, shortened some and added to others. I'm finally satisfied--for now. 44.5" It's a little thing but aesthetically it seems to make all the difference. Weird! Tomorrow I make up one final support then begin banging out the pieces between the supports and the fenders. What do you call them? Fender support to fender connective piece?

 

Aprons? Splash shields? Wings? (for the Brits)

 

Just paint it with cheap enamel paint and wait 20 or 30 years. No kidding. Use straight enamel like they used in 1910. Rustoleum or possibly yacht paint. Maintain it or don't maintain it just as you please. It will develop its natural patina in good time. Don't try to fake it who needs another cheesy looking fake.

 

Fender support mounting brackets?

My $.02 worth on paint...Single stage, epoxy enamel. No clear. No faux patina.

 

I agree, a good oil based paint will look right. It's slow to apply, but it will not look "plasticy".

 

"Don't try to fake it who needs another cheesy looking fake."

You haven't seen the the Mercer Raceabout at Hershey. I assure you , it's no cheesey looking fake.

Jerry

 

leaving some parts in a natural state just well oiled down after installing and let it become "good quality steel rust"

 

I'm afraid the speedster will have so much natural shop rot on it by the time it's done there will be no need of faux patina. Plus my painting ability is marginal therefore it will look like it was restored thirty years ago. Hey, I made the final support and got started smoothing up the welds on the other fender supports. I need to the roll the bumps out of the fenders before I make up the fender to support pieces. For this I need someone to help hold the fenders as I guide them through the E. wheel as they are so long. Any volunteers?

Jerry

 

I might be able to pop up after Brad's swap next Saturday?

 

Is that on the 6th? I plan to be there. Cool! Come on by.

Today I began by running the rear fenders through the E wheel but found the wheel wasn't high enough for the full curve of the fenders. I had to put the thing up on blocks. Next I smoothed up the front fenders by hanging them from wires and running them through the E wheel. After that, Neil my buddy from Scotland came by and helped me with the curved part. About an hour later I think I'd about smoothed all the sheet metal I could without making it worse. A little metal prep and primer and I'm ready for fender to fender support pieces. Unfortunately (or furtunately money wise) I rented out the unit I had with the spray booth so I guess I'll be priming the fenders outside. No matter, as Neil says: "Let yer wind blow free where ere ye be for holdin it in'll be the death of ye."

Jerry

 

Is it too late to vote "no fenders ' oops add smily

gogogogogogo

 

Round peg in a square hole

Filing round holes square--no fun. There is a certain Zen to it, though. Whatever that means. They probably make some broach or punch that turns a round hole square in nothing flat but all I have is a Chinese file. I calculated 34 holes for all the fender supports. I'm sure this is what apprentices are for. BTW, I looked into step bolts. The heads are really big--1 1/4 for 1/4 inch bolts. Lots of variation in diameter too. So I decided to turn down common carriage bolts to an acceptable size. What the hell, I've got the time. It's faster than making a round hole square. ps. I ordered square nuts for under the fenders.

Jerry

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rI-15fovYEY

There ya go.

Been following this the whole way, nice job!

 

nice ... leave a couple of these bolts out and replace with eye bolts so squirrels can be tied tightly in place

 

Support Report:
26 holes squared leaving only 8 left--4 each on the left and right lower front fender supports. The front fenders are pretty stiff without the lower supports so I'm contemplating leaving them out. The big problem now is where to prime the fenders, brackets and supports. Cold weather is setting in and I have nowhere to paint except outside. Mmmm. Pictures coming.

Jerry

 

gogogogo yer doing just fine pay no attention to the guy behind the curtain

 

Getting ready for primer

After welding up some last minute seams and what not, I started the paint prep on the fenders. I'm not a big fan of priming and body work and painting. It's seems to make a lot of dust and you never quite know when to stop. You just sort of give up after a while and paint the damn thing! So I dribbled some metal prep into the bead around the edge of the fenders then sanded off the bits of rust here and there and popped a few tiny dimples out and on and on. When I got out my direct to metal primer I discovered I didn't have any more activator. I had activator for a lot of other kinds of paint and primer. So what is the big difference anyway? You have to be a chemist? I made a few test spots with various activators and primer. Maybe one of them will get hard overnight. Should I take a chance? Or drive to Gainesville in the morning and buy some new primer and activator? PS. Who needs a good rabbit? I'm afraid my son might eat him.

Jerry

 

Mmmm, rabbit is GOOD eating

 

stewed rabbit is rather tasty.

 

BBQ`ed on the grille ain`t bad either.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

you could use one of them feet .... oops it's a pet ok picture of one foot

 

Checked my primer test spots. None of them got hard. Tomorrow I go to search for the correct activator or find some new primer. Alex went off with the Boy Scouts to camp in the Okeefenokee Swamp. I'll hide the rabbit before he gets back.

 

Stewed!? Sacrilege!!!

Marinated in buttermilk for 24 hours, then pan-seared and into the oven- makes one look at Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail in a whole new light