Projects '33 5w Build Thread

@CTaulbert - Your '33 5wd is looking fantastic! ... Any chance you will do a H.A.M.B. build thread on the "other project" you're working on?

 

I'm just playing a small role in that car, so it's not worthy of a thread! For those interested, stay tuned to Instagram.....

 

My phase of my side project is done, so I can get back on my '33! Even though I was working on something else, I had a project for my '33 running in the background.....

I really like the rear 18" Halibrand Indy Roadster wheels, but the size presents packaging challenges on a fendered car. Adding to that, I don't care much for the 16" front wheel that goes along with it. So, I modeled a custom 16" version of that rear wheel - just scaled down to a 16x4.5", and I added some positive offset to get it close to a '40 Ford wheel. From there, I juts needed to get it made.


Now making custom wheels isn't anything new today. I had Mike Curtis machine the wheels on my '32 5w, which most people don't realize! This time though, I wanted an oxidized magnesium look. I don't care how good of a coating you think someone has, it doesn't look like corroded magnesium. Real oxidized magnesium has an uneven look/texture/feel, that's really all its own.

So, that left me with the obvious - I was going down the path of making a one-off set of magnesium wheels.

Fortunately, I had helped a friend make a custom intake manifold earlier this year. We used a process of 3D printing the green sand mold, with a pattern shop that specializes in this technology. While the cost to print the mold is high - and nothing is reusable, it's perfect for one-off parts.....or even a few-off parts. Traditional patterns still cost a lot of money to make, which make traditional casting methods expensive to get into.

Here are a few shots of the process....

One half of the printed mold:

A raw casting:

And the final product after heat treating, final machining, and a quick media blast:

 

I ordered up a set of Firestones the other day, and got around to getting them mounted quickly. It's been a long project, but it was great to finally see them on the car!

 

Cory: Just Bittchin

 

Pretty amazing to me. And the wheel/tire fitment is perfect for the 33. Very nice !

 

Awsome, keep up the great work

 

I agree, Amazing.

 

It's all about the proportions, and you made the right call on 16s.

 

Next level!!!

 

It is amazing the TALENT of HAMB members. Guys making whole cars from scratch and all kinds of parts built. Now you need wheels and presto chango with today's technology YOU MAKE YOUR OWN WHEELS!!!

 

hah, don't like the wheel selection!?
make your own.

Nice.

Looks great.

-Woog

 

Dang.

 

He's a problem solver.
Looks great....almost not real.

 

Quite the impressive process and talent!! Will you leave the wheels as is and let them oxidize naturally from here or are there more finishing steps?

 

I'm going to let age naturally! When I set off on this project, I wanted oxidized magnesium.

Once they get to a point I like, I'll hit them with some Gibbs a couple times a year to freeze them in place.

 

I'm getting a plan together to wrap up the last bit of interior fabrication on the car, and started off with the steering column. One thing that became clear quickly was that the seating position on a '33-34 is a lot farther back than a '32. That means getting to some of the dash controls might be a bit of an inconvenience, especially for something that you may need to use often - turn signals and high/low beams.

I had an idea of packaging two miniature Mil-Spec toggle switches in a custom column tube bell/flare, behind the steering wheel. I gave it a shot in CAD to get a design I was happy with, then had it 3D printed in plastic for mockup to make sure I was happy with the design.


The 3D printed piece allowed the upper column bearing to be installed, as well as both switches. That was pushed into a piece of 1.5" tubing, formally mocking up the whole assembly. I was happy with the concept, with the switches being easily accessible while remaining out of sight for the most part.

 

I ordered up that steering column bell to be machined out of stainless, matching the column tube. It should look good fully polished!

I turned my attention to getting a column drop built for the car. I chose to use a '35 drop as the starting point, cutting and stretching it down to a length that provided a comfortable wheel position.


I shot some etching primer on it for now, but I'm wondering if it would look better chromed to go along with the polishing column? I have time to figure it out......

Again, another mockup to make sure everything was shaping up well.

 

I picked up a Walden roof insert panel about a year ago, with it patiently waiting on the shelf. I wasn't going to fill this roof, but trim his panel down to fit under the stock tack strip moldings.

I first started off by fitting the tack strip moldings to the body opening a bit better than factory. With the help of a rosebud, I carefully tweaked the moldings, making their fitment follow the body more consistently. I ended up fitting them a bit tighter to the body, taking a longer run, which meant I came up about 1/2" short from the back moldings meeting in the middle! Fortunately, I had some sedan moldings where I could rob a piece off to weld onto my coupe moldings.

With the tack strip moldings fit, I trimmed down the Walden panel, carefully sneaking up on the right size to fit under the moldings. I chose to add six attachments to the panel, taking some of the work off of the tack strip moldings. I welded nuts to the bottom of the Walden panel (forcing me to then planish out those welds), then welded tabs to the opening of the roof. Now there are six 5/16" bolts that help pull down the panel.

The tack strip moldings are fastened down with several 3-48 machine screws.

 

MIND BLOWING

 

I'm jumping around just a bit, but I think my next project to tackle is gapping the doors and decklid. I got a bit side tracked (and carried away), with the DA the other day.

I guess this is the point of no return!

 

That insert is CLEEEN

 

Bobby's panel fit great! I'll wrap this with vinyl for a stock look....but a much smoother look.

 

And, no ballooning at speed.................not that you'd ever speed. Very nice work, as usual.

 

Love the look of the insert. Adds definition and nice to have it not add bulk to the roof ( like some of the Juliano inserts I've seen). Your work is an inspiration to all of us. Merry Christmas.

 

A profile like no other ! Merry Christmas Cory.

 

Unfortunately, a lot of cars lost their tack strip moldings to the Juliano's kit.....

Merry Christmas!

Thanks Marty - Merry Christmas!

 

What a profile.This Will be one of the Top Model 40s Ever built.I do not say this lightly.To meld technology and tradition into such a beautiful package has never reached this level,in my opinion.

 

A profile you could stare at and dream about for hours.

 

I want to see how you'll handle the cowl vent handle behind the gauges. I haven't come up with a solution to mine yet. Need inspiration. [I didn't think ahead]