Hot Rods Olds Powered '29 Roadster Build. Marty Strode

Dave, perhaps when we get to that stage, we can do a video of the process. I admit, I have never tried it, so lets see how it goes.

 

Waffled, Hot Riveting at that I'm thinking or did Henry do that to the larger rivets?

Marty what are the guy wires from the top anchor to the cowl doing?

 

Stogy, I would bet Henry used a squeezer, and did them cold, but that's just a guess. I will be doing them HOT, with a bucking bar. Hopefully, @louisb and @alanp561 will be providing some advice. Those rods are for support while being transported.

 

Budda Boom, Budda Bing, Fire in the hole!!!...don't forget your earplugs...

 

Are you going to have some help?

 

Spud wrench

 

Marty. use the correct set for the head of the rivet. Hold the gun tightly to the rivet and have whom ever is bucking the rivet hole the bar tight. If the person bucking isn't on the rivet solid, the bucking bar will jump which will make the rivet set bounce. That will leave crescent shapes in the head and the part you're riveting. My suggestion would be to try it on some scrap first and determine how long the rivet should be prior to bucking. The bucked side should expand to one and one half times the rivet diameter. Wish I was there, it's easier to show you than write about it but I'm sure you'll have it figured out after the first couple of tries. Here's the best hand hot riveting video I could find. Hope it helps.

 

That's very interesting. I like the look

 

Great video Alan, it will be a while before I tackle the riveting. Thanks

 

There's a phenomenal thread by @edwardlloyd on the riveting process. You can find the link here for reference: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/lets-build-an-authentic-1932-frame.610718/

 

Thanks Speedy, I will take a look at that. Also, the 5X rivet gun I purchased, came a couple of days ago. I plan on getting back on this project on Monday...

 

Ooh, we're waiting!

 

Marty, I just realized while reading this you bought a 5X gun. Missed the original post about the size of the gun entirely. You might want to turn the air down just a skosh, otherwise you might blow right through the frame using those small rivets. Not trying to spook you, just want you to try a few holes first and get a feel for it. We used to use 5 X and 6 X guns with a heavy chisel to remove big welding burrs or a V chisel to backgouge welds on water towers. For the love of God, don't let anybody stand in front of the gun when the trigger is pulled. That chunk of iron will fly out of the barrel and punch a hole right through them. Dang, I wish I was there.

 

Alan, I will certainly be careful. I need to round up the rivets, but for now, I will be fitting and welding in the A rear crossmember, for the quickchange.

 

Went to the GoodGuys show in Scottsdale this last weekend. Wandering thru the swap meet looking for treasures and deals, actually found a couple. Got a Richmond gear set for my Nova Gasser project, 4.56:1, brand new in the box for $90.00! And then I found this jewel…

Trimo 18” the little brother to yours, and it was only $15.00! Now if I can only make it do the magic your does….

 

You need to get Marty's brand of smoke and mirrors! (NO, not THAT kind of smoke!!)

 

Great find Jimmy, you will be amazed at what you can do with that wrench. Now find a 2' long piece of pipe that slips over the handle, and go to work ! Thanks for the kind words, but it's not magic, just metal work.

 

Marty, are you going to make wooden shims to mate the flat A to the ‘32 frame the old school way or do you have another trick up your sleeve? I made shims for mine, cutting them was a new experience for me, wood and I are natural enemies.

 

Bob, I haven't talked about that, to the owner, but he is building a saw mill right now, I think I will let him handle that aspect.

 

What was used to get the rivet heated up? I couldn’t tell in the video.

 

I didn't see what they were using, either. It could have been a rosebud torch, which I would use for no more rivets than they were setting. The old time Ironworkers and Boilermakers would use something similar to a small forge.
Look in the upper left corner of the picture. The fellow with the bushy hair and glasses is heating rivets. A coke or charcoal fire with air introduced to it will get the rivet plenty hot enough. He'll carry the hot rivets to the work and then the rivets will be squeezed into place.

 

I think that I would have more than rubber boots on working with red hot steel.

 

Where's your sense of adventure?????

 

Have you ever??? No, but I'm willing to try! With apologies to Stripes, paraphrasing the best line

 

In fabrication education it's just the natural progression from getting hot MIG boogers down your tennis shoes......

 

That and weld splatter in the ear... reminds me of a mobile phone commercial: can you hear me now?

 

I sure as hell would have my pants over the top of the boots and not tucked inside!

 

In the past I have shown pictures of my '40 Pickup project. I recently brought the chassis out of storage to finish the last phase before sending it out for powdercoat, that being procuring and installing a 1" front stabilizer bar. Well, my friend Dale at Weedetr, (@Weedburner 40) sold me one of his, along with a front shock kit. Very well engineered, high quality parts ! I didn't expect anything less.

 

So what's the Safety Racing wheel going on? Could never afford them during my dirt track days. But it was always fun seeing the bucks up racers rubbing wheels with them. Really nice fireworks display!

 

I am looking for some slicks to mount on those, for my roadster pickup, and another car as well.