Update NUMBER 4 --SERET SPEED SPORTS CAR--Build Thread

Thats like metal porn man!

 

Since I have a background in manufacturing and Im always looking for better and more efficent ways of doing work.
I started doing somthing different with this build I thought was kind of neat. I make the two opposing panels at the same time.
First I cut to sheets out exactly the same, then for example I count out a series of hits with the mallet. Before I wheel it I pound out the same number of hits in the other panel in the same spots. I take them both to the english wheel and I role them out the same, I pay attention to were put extra force and about how long I wheel it for. then I do the same to the other panel. When I check the panel to the buck I only check one side, the other panel is almost exactly the same. Since Its basicly a mirror image there is no need to walk to the other side of the buck and check it. As I adjust the one panel to the buck I make all the same adjustments to the other panel. when the one panel Ive been checking on the buck gets really close. I do begin to check the other panel to the buck, and at the end I do final fit individually. I figure making the panels this way saves me about 2 hours a day, and I get more accurate pieces.
I stated doing it this way because one of pieces I had made 6 months ago. when I went to duplicate it recently I couldnt remember how I did it, and it took along time to match it.

 

I think build is fantastic.

One suggestion, make a baseball bat hammer, or buy a nice blocking hammer. That little hammer is going to ruin your arm.

Gary

 

Going to jot that one down real quick.. Good time-saving tip right there.


iPhone - TJJ app

 

Great stuff, at least the fully-clothed pics

 

Matt,

Sounds like you have a regular assembly line going there in your shop.

Great job and I know you're having fun.

Could that Porsche over in the corner possibly be for your wife?

Next time I'm in the area I need to stop by and check things out and pick up one of those red T-shirts with the new design.

 

I'm subscribed. This is true craftsmanship!

 

Good looking work Matt. Damn nice bike too.

 

Seret.
You make it look to easy and I don't think people realize the amount of work you have done to get where you are. Great job and good advise on making mirror image panels.

Fun to watch your progress.

Rex

 

This is an awesome thread,subscribed!

 

Matt, i couldn't even straighten out a beer can that good..Diggin it!

 

That's funny.
I did a simple door patch panel in a couple hours,
then went to do the other side 2 months later,
and had forgotten how I did it, kinda.
I had at least 4 days where I wasted half an hour just looking at it trying to start!
Fortunately I had hammered both the patch panels out at the same time,
but still.

Oh yeah,
sounds like you need one of those walking counters/pacers taped onto your wrist!
TP

 

Cool thread subscribed.

BTW Plenty of great stuff in Seret's website too.

 

Anything new to share Kirk?

 

Kirk who?

 

I just found this build. Very cool!! I noticed you don't do much shrinking. Have you tried using a stump hollow? It seems like less work to stretch into the hollow of the stump instead of a bag. Plus you can use the hollow to shrink the tucks as they form. I share this because my arm has felt like your's...

 

Great tip, Thanks. I do allot of shrinking with some walnut "stumps" I made but Im lazy with my pictures.

 

I'll say!!! How's it coming??? Updates??

 

The latest update is that I gave myself Tendonitis aka "golfers elbow" rolling out the last panels for the trunk area. So I guess I would have "wheelers elbow". I decided against my will to not give myself permanent damage and rest my arm. I used the last couple of weeks to finish up my RPU, and I tried really hard to stay away from the English wheel and little power hammer. I did however make some small filler panels for the 29 rpu fenders. I then found out it takes a very long time for Tendonitis to heal so screw it, I&#8217;m going to start back on the car this week. I received my intake today for the sportscar and it is Awesome!<p>

 

Wow! Sweet truck!

 

Sorry to hear about the elbow Matt. Yes it takes forever to heal that type of injury but I will say if you must work thru it try using an velcro type arm band right infront of elbow on forearm. Its like putting a choker on a guitar neck, it shortens the tendons so they don't pull on the injury so much. Hope this helps. That intake is bad ass!!

Ken

 

Bummer about the elbow but that's a great RPU you have there.

 

Thanks Kloomis, I just bought one of those arm bands I dont like it to much. Im going to designing my own. Im thinking along the lines of Ash from Evil Dead.<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Qr4PcOQYFAw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

I had to work through the tendonitis thing too. I had it so bad, I couldn't feel my hand at all, and my elbow was in constant pain.

One major thing the docs told me is; because it's a repetitive motion injury, you have to change the way you are working.

In your case, stand on a block of wood, or to one side of the wheel, to straighten out that arm. It will take some getting used to, but changing the position of your arm every so often will help you heal quicker, and hopefully prevent the injury from coming back in the future.

 

Always a pleasure to see your talents at play ...

I have problems with tendonitis , my fix - streching , fish oil and mild anti inflam. once a day after breakfast ...
Doing nothing , waiting for it to heal isn't always the answer ...

 

Thanks Flingdingo Ill try that tomorrow. This is making me very nervous, I religh on that repetative motion for a living.,
Labrat: what kind of streching do you do for your elbo?

 

It took about 3 weeks of lots of ibuprofen and icing my elbow for the pain to go away. I learned to work left-handed as often as I could, too. I still have the occasional flare-up (this happened 10 years ago) so I wouldn't call myself cured.

I think the main thing for my long-term health was being able to change up my routine. I don't know if you've been to the doc or not, so I'll tell you what they told me...

Any time we move a joint (finger, wrist, elbow, etc.) our nerves slide back and forth inside their protective tubes. Over time, these tubes can become abraded, and they swell up, pinching the nerve, which we perceive as pain. This abrasion happens mostly when the nerves slide around a tight corner (like your elbow).
Also, if you rest your arm on a surface while you work, this can compress the tube, and cause the same injury (people who work at a computer all day get this from resting their forearm on the edge of their desk.)

So if you pay attention to how you work, and adjust they way you work to minimize the tight bends or compressions as much as possible, this should prevent the injury getting worse or coming back.

The docs gave me some stretching exercises to do after the swelling/pain went away, that was supposed to help also, but it's been so long since I needed them, I can't even remember what they were. You might want to talk to a physical therapist about it.

 

The best part of the rpu is the battery box.

 

Holy crap that car is cool.

Spike

 

best thing on herr in a while.