Thanks Chris. And Elvis what a magnificent post and work your doing. It looks like so much fun and satisfaction your making me consider going back into mine. I was sure the wood in mine was okay as it had been a show car most of its life so I didn't tare out the head liner. The wood in the doors was removed by someone before me, but now your posting wants me to go back and get it right and install the straight axle back under the front end. That's what my head tells me. my back, hands and stamina say...……...Bullshit buddy, that ain't happin .
Thanks, it is a lot of fun. It’s more about the journey Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
It is about the journey and mine was 22 years in the traveling and it was great. The reason for the long road was I retired in 2003, (buying in 95), to really get into it, but was called back 2008-2011. Gonna really be looking forward to more progress.
Some real talent doing this outstanding build of my favorite Ford roadster. They are simply a beautiful body style to me. I have only owned Wescott bodies but looking for a real one this time. I'm 79 and don't have that much time to do all the work you did.
Changed gears a little today. Built a body rotisserie for both the roadster and the coupe. Still have to strengthen it with some diagonal braces and an X in the frame I used 2 harbor freight engine stands and some 2X2, 1.5X1.5. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Spent some time trueing the rails and squaring the fixture. The rails deviated a full inch minus and almost an inch plus. I used square tubing clamped to the outside of the rail and a little leverage. Once I got it all straightened out it was only 1/8 out of square. I’m going to add at least one more cross bracing. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I’ve had it for a few years.......it’s been part of my life since 85, as a build, and this form since 91-92, it changes wheels every so often. Thanks for the kind words, I’m stoked by your appreciation.
This is my buddy George’s 34, he’s owned since 49. It’s been apart for a long while, but he’s working in it, I go over and lend a hand when he needs me. He’s had some pretty impressive 34’s in his time. Elvis, your work on this project and thread is awesome and inspiring. “THANK YOU” for posting the progress pix as it comes along. Are you doing a coupe as well?
The original die I used to make the door braces was only 4.5 inches long and left marks every 4.5 inches. I wasn’t 100% satisfied with the result. I made a die to press the entire length of the groove. My mild OCD is satisfied Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
No, I just used them to fix the metal in the die. One of the pictures shows the end of the die in the 20 ton press. I had to progressively feed it into the press. The metal is 16 gauge Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
I had one original A-pillar mounting bracket that I repaired. I made the second one by welding on the gusset, but I never liked it. So after some head scratching on how to make them I came to this. I made a die with both left and right positive and negative of the gusset. I first pressed the angle of the bracket then the gusset. I used another die to press the three countersink mounting holes Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Your talent never ceases to amaze!!!! Wondering about the die in these last pics, was there a female used as well. Someone should be there to just see & record all of this talent. I can’t wait to see this project completed.
Beautiful work, this makes me want to get a press. I had one for a while and sold it because I didn't think it'd be useful for sheetmetal and bodywork, but I can see how I was wrong.
Really impressive work on the build. I am alway surprised to see the amount of wood in the construction of a 33/34 in comparison to the 32. Seems to me that the cost of labor for Ford assembly would have been prohibitive, in comparison to metal stamping that they used in prior years.
Did my proof of concept on using 1948-52 ford pickup hinges. They took a little modification. First I flattened the inner hinge half. On the roadster the hinges are on the outside of the b-pillar and door tins, the hinge half’s are flat against each other. Before and after I then trimmed it to length filled all the holes. Then drilled new holes. Dimensionally they are about 1/16 of an inch taller, I polished the difference without issue. The stop on the outer hinge is smaller, this will cause the door to open further. Since it has a check strap anyway, this shouldn’t be an issue. The hinges are steel and about half the cost of the ones available on MACs. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Thanks, I’m still figuring this all out. There is a positive and negative die, I had to modify it a little so it didn’t crush the gusset Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Thanks, Ford lost money on the 32, so for the low production 33/34 they still had all the woodworking craftsmen and it was cheaper to go with a lot of wooden structure rather than the tooling up for metal. Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
This thread is incredible. You started working on the doors on Jan 2018 and are still working on them. I am glad you posted all of your work so I know to NEVER buy a 34 roadster
I beg to differ, with this thread/posts this man is an inspiration for anyone attempting to create something from which no longer was useable or non existent. Amazing amount of thought, talent and execution in said build. It takes time to make ones dreams come true..
Took a little time to fabricate a gate for my father Got back on the extra project doors. A lot of time banging pushing and still more to go. I started with the worst of the two. I used a door patch panel for a three window coupe...roadster are not available Still a lot more work, but it is actually in the shape of a door now Sent from my iPad using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Nice work, especially with the press. It’s amazing what can be done with practice with the press and hammer forms Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app