jamesdfo

Well, I seem to remember doing this intro thing wayyyyyyyyy back when the number of posts on the yahoo METALSHAPERS forum was in the low teens(perhaps 13000??). Anyway, I WAS an Autobody mech , started in '79 straight out of high school. Missed being a journeyman while still 21 by SIX WEEKS...would have made it, but for the several month layoff !!
Back in about '90, I started having wrist problems, which eventually led to my doctor telling me it was time for a new line of work So, I went back to school and trained for another vocation, and hardly touched my tools for a number of years(to much discomfort).
Then, a friend(as well as my lil bro) both started building racecars, and I decided to try stretching the rear wheelwells to fit the big tires. I knew what needed to be done, it was simply a matter of putting into practice what I had thought about for years. The Mustang took me mor hours than I would care to admit, but the results are alright!! ( see link to MSA album)
http://metalshapers.org/101/mustang-wheelwell/index.shtml
Anyway, before leaving the trade, I was gravitating towards street rods, race cars, resto's, etc, as I was too damn fussy to make any money doing collision repair on flat rate
I already had both of Ron Fourniers books, and voraciously read ANYTHING related to shaping. I still remember reading an Issue of Street Rodder that showed a 34 Ford Coupe body scratch-built by Marcel DeLay....that was INSPIRATIONAL.
HAd I continued, I would have had an english wheel and beater bag YEARS ago.....
Instead, I am only recently(read: since MSA) starting to aquire these things. Currently have a bag(still need to finish stand), have a wheel and air hammer partially completed, etc.
There are many distractions, and only so many $$$$, so its taking FAR longer than I would like....but I'm slowly getting set up. I am limited to how frequently I can PLAY, but as long as I dont get carried away, I can deal with the discomfort it causes. I may take a stab at building an all steel hood with scoop for My 351C powered Tubbed '79 Pace Car this winter, just have to make up my mind which style
Anyway, this is getting rather windy, time to pull in the reigns......

James