Original 32 grille shell metal work restoration.

New project started.Restoring an original 32 grille shell.Here below are photos of the shell ready for restoration.I will be replacing the grille with another original grille supplied.

thanks for checking out.

my weekly metal work blog www.themetalsurgeon.com

 

This'll be cool!!!

 

Got the popcorn made and I'm SUBSCRIBED! This is gonna be great!

 

I'm looking forward to seeing this. I did one last year alot like that. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=14538

 

wondering what the total labor hours add up to...$$$

anything 32 is worth savin'...

 

yep. My only concern is where the rear stanless bolts in. I did away with mine,No hood...If neede purchase a repo grille and use it as patch panels.Nothing fits like an original

 

just checked out your link,good job.

my weekly metal work blog www.themetalsurgeon.com

 

The bead for the stainless ring is easy if you have a pullmax style machine.

 

i will post hours taken to complete for your reference.

my weekly metal work blog www.themetalsurgeon.com

 

Here's the rad shell after media blasting.The lower section not only heavily damaged,but material thickness is very thin as shown on the digital vernier gauge 0.55mm.Original thickness would of been around 1.2mm.

my weekly metal work blog www.themetalsurgeon.com

 

Great photos so far. Look forward to the save along with the time spent. For the record I "understand" , others just buy repro stuff. Bob

 

Will be watching...

 

subscribed , need to learn what i can to save my little coupe


Jen

 

Blank cut out to make complete lower section in one piece.


my weekly metal work blog www.themetalsurgeon.com

 

Here's the 32 rad shell jig i will be using.Jig chasing process shown with nylon chasers dragging the material down to bottom out in the jig.


my weekly metal work blog www.themetalsurgeon.com

 

Lower section jig chased in , 5.5 hrs to date.


my weekly metal work blog www.themetalsurgeon.com

 

Holyshit! That's impressive. What is the hammerform made of?

 

Very nice work thus far!!!! I just finished a scratch built 30/31 shell for my A which is NO where near as complicated as a deuce. I have a 32 on my garage wall which I'd like to try and make one of these days so I'm watching this thread. Great job!

 

thanks! The white outer is Gelcoat,with a steel frame and fibreglass .

www.themetalsurgeon.com

 

I knew it'd be cool!!

 

When I had my shell cut apart the outside edge measured .042" and the front edge where the most stretch from the factory pressing was .035". Lots of stretch involved in the pressing of these shells.

I love the jig you made. After getting the inside edge corked how did you shrink the edge to get it to come around? I know the fixture wouldn't take the pounding. Thanks for the good job on my shell. I alot of time in it but I have the dies now, and I learned alot doing it.

 

Subscribed.......you make it look easy!
I know it's NOT!
THANKS.

 

Great post. Do you have any pictures and info on how you made the hammerform?

 

Here's the basic steps to making a hammer form.

Make a steel spider web structure to give your mold body and strength.

1. Take your panel you want to take your mold off and clean thorough.Acetone is a good cleaning agent.

2. cover the mating surface with bees wax.

3.Apply Gelcoat (white in colour ) for surface after mixing.

4. Lay down a few layers of fibre glass

5. Add your steel structure.

6.fibre glass over your steel structure to tie it in.

7. Let it set for 24 hrs.

8. Separate your mold from your panel.

9.Finished and ready for jig chasing!

hope this helps with the pics.Feel free to ask any ?s


my weekly metal work blog www.themetalsurgeon.com

 

Thanks for taking the time to post pictures and info to answer my question.

 

Wow nice work as always Jon!!! Really appreciate the time you take to document your work and share it with us.

 

Amazing is all I can say.

 

Nice work as always!!

 

Welcome back John!


my weekly metal work blog www.themetalsurgeon.com

 

You are a master of the craft John and an excellent teacher of hard to master methods. Thanks for the post.