Hot Rods Rich's Coupe - a ten year odyssey

Scotty: yea maybe I should, or they will
only have X ‘s for pics.

thank’s Lou !

 

I found your pics!

 

You’re killing me Scotty, go pick one of those 5
garages, and get some work done!
Rich

 

1. 
   Rich B.
   ALLIANCE MEMBER
   
   from Portage,IN
   A friend here on the HAMB (scotty t) sent me a link to a post on embossing that
   gave him the idea to to press Plymouth into his valve covers. He knew I did this kind
   of thing, and asked if I would give him a hand. Well hell yes! Here's a link to that post:
   
   http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/how-emboss-lettering-into-sheet-metal-207719.html
   
   It's a great post with good info, and I have done this in the past. With the 18 gauge we
   are using I like to use a female pattern, and use the polyurathane as the male die. Either way will work, I'm used to doing it this way. I'm just an amatuer, and learn something new on every project. Enough yakking let's get started.
   
   The pic below shows the pattern marked out on the valve cover. Below the valve cover
   is the 16 gauge pattern taped to a piece of 18 gauge to use a test piece

 

Here's another pic showing the above pattern, and blank turned over with
the polyurathane on top. I like to press the area with the small pieces taped
to them first. The P, and O require them to finish the letter shape. Doing
them first locks them in so they won't shift while pressing. Than work
back ,and forth over each letter to finish.

 

In the next pic I have moved the assembly over to my work bench, and am
chasing the letters with a home made corking tool for better definition. I like
to clamp either side of the letter I'm working on to prevent possible distortion
of the surrounding metal. This is only the test piece, but I treat it like
the finished valve cover.

 

Outstanding, congrats!!

 

Just to be clear the pic in the last post has the pattern under the test piece. It will
stick to the pressed piece, and you will have to pry it off when finished. The pattern
beneath the piece will keep chasing tool in place as you work it. Size the tool tip
to just fit the pattern width of a letter. The tool is just an old chisel with a small piece
welded to it that I flappered smooth when shaping it.

 

Here's the finished test piece. Doing the test piece will give you a feel for the amount
of pressing , and chasing needed.

 

Ready to press the valve cover. I centered the pattern, and taped it to the cover. The small pieces
of tape on P, and O are all that is needed. If 2 layers are used it will imprint the valve cover.
The pattern should have all edges rounded or you are libel to get an edge mark imprinted
in the valve cover!

 

Here's how I had to set up to press the odd shaped valve cover. Notice the apron
piece it's sitting on has the edges rounded on it also.

 

This view shows the urathane with a heavy backup piece of steel used to
press with. I have a 50 ton press with air assit that I added to it which makes
repeated pressings much easier. I mounted the floor treadle on the side of the press
, and use an old shifter to operate it.

 

Here I have moved the valve cover to the work bench, and am chasing the
letters. I have just finished the T, and am ready to cover it, and start on the U.

 

This close up of the letters are on the test piece.

 

Here's the finished valve cover.

 

I of course stole Scotty's idea since we both have the same valve covers. Mine is
a Dodge truck Hemi . This pic shows the finished test piece, the pattern, and
the polyurathane that we used. That's McMaster Carr's stock number.

I made both patterns with my milling machine . I machined common block
letters in them, and than used a small air file to square the corners of some of
the letters as was needed. They could be plasma cut, water jetted. In the past
I have made patterns by drilling, cutting with small air saw, and lots of filing!

 

This pic shows the pieces to back up, and press the covers. I surfaced one of
the apron pieces in my mill, and also the cover piece. Care here will make a
big difference in the finished piece.

 

Fantastic, Awesome work. Beautiful Hot Rod.

 

What 54reno said . It's nice to see guys that take pride in their work .

 

Rich did an awesome job on both of our valve covers. He did 100% of the work, the only thing I had to offer was a little tip that I found on the interweb. Rich's car has so much more detail than you can see in the pictures, he spent many hours on some of the smallest details, the fit and finish is unbelievable. There are so many little details that every time you look at the car you see something you hadn't noticed before.

 

Just great work here. Coupe is looking awesome!!

 

The A is really coming along! Nice work, Rich!

Great minds think alike...

 

Brent: I love that early gasser look! I like the way you covered the front mounting feet!

 

Here's the dies I used to press the firewall. I cheated, and used my cheap
mill to do most of thr work. Most of my projects were done with saws
files, and hand tools.

 

The vin tag is pressed in from opposite direction. I saw pic on one of the cars from England,
and really liked it. (32) I had my SILAW machine it for me.

 

Sure is neat to watch a craftsman at work.

Watching you lead... and your other work... reminded me of something.

When I was a kid, my dad and I were having breakfast at a restaurant, sitting at the counter. We could see the cook preparing the meals. My dad told me to watch how he buttered the toast. That guy lined up half a dozen pieces of toast, and zip... buttered them all in one swipe! LOL!
My dad said to me...
Whatever you do... do it well.

Rich, you're really good with the butter.


Sent from my VS835 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

The main design ready to press. You want to stretch the metal into the
die not pull it from the surounding area. Don' forget the oil.

 

Sharp eyes will note the last pic is hot rolled with scale. I was not happy with my first
pressing, and used some hot rolled to see what the problem was. It worked so well, I'm
using it. You didn't really think I was done wih that firewall yet diid you!
I'm using a firewall mounted pedal assembly, and want no flex .
I'musing 1/8" plate which will be plug, and edge welded to the back upper half.
There will also be support rods tieing dash, and steering column together.

 

! ! !

Sent from my VS835 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

there is nothing rich cant do! hes the man with metal!