More than likely, but I don’t really want to. I priced a few shops locally and they are outrageous for cost and lead time, so probably will have to.
A guy needs to reverse think it. When I get all the rust fixed, all the welding done, all the engine stuff, etc etc. I figure I'm on the home stretch. I'll clean and paint the frame then the suspension so my rolling chassis is done done. When I start the Sheetmetal I always do the body first, prime block forever, paint block again buff, Then I set it on the nice chassis and boom, it's a car again, and looks awesome. This gets me excited to keep on.
Small progress today, filling the extra holes on the new firewall, and reattaching the dimpled supports. Finally dialed in the pulse function on the tig and switched to the finger trigger. Much less cumbersome. Believe the settings are perfect for the buttwelds on 18 gauge, can stay on the seam without fear of blowing it out now. Guess it could be my grinding skills are just getting better too, pics are after a thin layer of epoxy prime to prevent rust, no filler yet.
Welds look awesome and your fab work looks great. Did all the welding on our project with a flux core mig. Let's just say the process was, weld a little, clean a little, weld a little ... Next car I'm getting a tig machine as a local suplier seems to offer good deals on the Esab. Shop envy too. Give 'er shit.
Been there too Brother, flux core is tough to get a clean weld. Can’t recommend the pulse feature and a pedal enough. Makes all the difference with thin gauge.
Passenger cowl patch in and ready to move on to doors and hinges. 3 days of labor , two burns and one cut , strained patience to get here.
Looking good!! Another item checked off your list. I'm enjoying following along. Thanks for the updates. Brian
Thanks for the support gents! Maybe before I finish, I’ll run across a patch panel that I don’t need to spend a day on modifications to the panel itself to get it to fit. Both the cowl patches were 1/16 too long and had to be cut and welded to fit before I got started with the welding on the body. Thankful for the parts but damn, lol.
Today’s update. Starting on the jambs and couldn’t get past the crappy A pillar chop so had an o crap moment and cut it out. English wheel skill had to get there quickly . All tacked in and almost ready for final weld and grinding. Stay tuned…
Just found this; great work! I'm in the process of un-channeling a '31 roadster and can understand what you've gone through on the sub-frame. I am amazed at the crappy work that was done on mine... panels bolted together, then welded on both sides of the seam, outside then brazed, then covered with lead and/or bondo. They also discovered that with a stick welder you can reach way down in a tight spot and weld it up, meaning you have to cut the panel up to get to the weld. Following!
I really enjoy watching and reading about guys doing great work and saving hotrods...your's is a fine example!
Been away from my shop. Little work done on the ole Onion.. cut out some janky and hand fabbed some patch panels. I’m getting a little better at this deal, only 3 tries . Door hinges and alignment obviously need work, just checking the body lines in the pic. Believe at this point their filler worthy so on to more door jamb fun!
Making some headway on the door jambs and ran out of weld gas. Crappy chop lines , rotted door lock pocket, and butchered B pillar sheetmetal fabbed and replaced. More correct straighter lines and looking like a Model A a little more each time.
I love this thread, not only for the fantastic workmanship but also for your taking the time to document it for us with excellent photos and descriptions of what you're doing. Thanks!
I'm curious what is your method for smoothing welds? Also looks great! Hopefully that frame is coming soon!
2 inch 80 grit roloc with die grinder directly on top of weld bead until flat or almost touching panel metal when sanding, finish with 2 inch 80 grit DA. If I can get behind the panel, I’ll use a hammer/slapper and toe dolly on the low spots and follow up with a shrinking disc if needed.
Quick before and after metal finish. The old sheetmetal sunk pretty hard at the top during welding. Still need to do dolly work to complete before bondo. Moving on to next…
Finished the inner Driver’s A pillar. These have bothered me for a while and didn’t like the original trim, so I fabbed a piece that will be structurally stronger and cleans up the chop and pillar lines. Drivers door is next up, full rebuild planned. Stay tuned.
The Jalopy Journal
