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TECH: Bonehead tech, making a hood with a hammer and pliers only

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by buschandbusch, Feb 6, 2006.

  1. buschandbusch
    Joined: Jan 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,293

    buschandbusch
    Member
    from Reno, NV

    hope it's OK for a newbie to post tech here,
    here's a few pics of my bro and I making a one piece hood for the A. Turned out pretty good considering we have no english wheel or planishing hammer.

    [​IMG]
    start out by making a cardboard template. It helps if you have better cardboard than this, that isn't corrugated and covers the entire hood. It also helps if you take the old hood OFF first! :D

    [​IMG]
    transfer the template to the sheetmetal, we used 20ga steel. Leave one extra .5-.75" around (dotted line) to fold over

    [​IMG]
    cut the shape out (plasma cutter works OK, would rather have an electric nibbler)

    [​IMG]
    set that bad boy up there and check that your lines are straight

    [​IMG]
    then start folding over along the solid line using pliers. It won't work in a brake since the line is arched

    [​IMG]
    when you get it over 90 degrees take a dolly under the lip and pound it all flat so you have a nice arched 90 degree folded lip the whole length, whether it is front or back

    [​IMG]
    using a 2x4 to hold the sheetmetal flat helps when pounding the edge all the way over. Since you have your nice smooth arched edge from the dolly, bending it the rest of the way over is easy. You may need to cut some slits on the back of the hood since it will want to stretch quite a bit. It is too large and gangly for us to put in our shrinker strecther!

    [​IMG]
    pound the whole lip flat as you can, but make sure you don't go nuts or that there is anything under the sheet when punding you'll getn a few high or low spots

    [​IMG]
    once you've got one edge done, put it on the car and check for fit and that your lines are still on. It helps if you don't bend the hood all the way just yet, as you still need to fold over one more edge. Mark your lines to bend over the edge front to back (the hood "side")


    [​IMG]
    with the back and front lip folded over (and some grinding and re-hammering later) it's ready to be folded over on the sides. We marked a line with a level and bent that 90 degrees on each side. Now's the time to file and sand all the rough spots down.

    [​IMG]
    with the sides folded over we could paint it. Now the last step is figuring out a hold down, something that is quickly removed. Either dzus fasteneres or leather buckles. We'll let you figure that out
     
  2. Canuck
    Joined: Jan 4, 2002
    Posts: 1,104

    Canuck
    Member

    Sweeeet

    Nice to see people making cool parts that look great with out a huge shop full of equipment at their disposal. The real back yard roots of hot rodding.

    Keep up the good work.

    How about some better shots of the whole car, looks good from what can see here.

    Canuck
     
  3. the-rodster
    Joined: Jul 2, 2003
    Posts: 6,960

    the-rodster
    Member

    "hope it's OK for a newbie to post tech here,"

    I wish all newbies were so useful! :)

    I really like this post, I need to do the same for my RPU and was wondering how hard it would be.

    Thanks!

    Rich
     
  4. buschandbusch
    Joined: Jan 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,293

    buschandbusch
    Member
    from Reno, NV

    thanks guys

    will need to get some more new pics out in the sun when I get the carb hooked up, and I dropped the *** 4" yesterday so I lost a little rake but gained a much better ride height. But you don't want to see the tech article on that!

    And yes, that's a tarp top!

    on a side note- the hood is pretty stiff with the folded edges, and easily light enough to lift off without trouble. I wanted something simple but that provided quick access and also kept just enough rain out :)
     
  5. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 18,571

    Squablow
    Member

    I agree. Great tech, easy enough for most people to try and looks great, too. Would be a great way to tie a non-matching grille shell to a cowl.

    You should post up some more tech if you have any. This is the kind of stuff we wade through all the drama posts to see!

    Edit: forgot to mention, my vote is for the leather belts, or maybe some kind of army surplus canvas belts. I love that look.
     
  6. this is o/t but its nice to see the shop is full of tools spread all over the place and you guys are making parts and "gettin' r done" My managers at work are so busy haveing us keep the shop clean{"This place has to look like nascar garage at all times"}we cant get any equipment fixed!:D if I got something apart on the work bench he tells me to "clean up this mess, now!":mad: I try and explain that stuff has to come apart befor it can be put back together, but his mind is made up and I shouldnt confuse him with facts!
    great looking hood and with a simple technique. nice stuff guys. dont clean the shop !you will never find anything again!:D
    R.R.
     
  7. buschandbusch
    Joined: Jan 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,293

    buschandbusch
    Member
    from Reno, NV

    stay tuned- we made a rear rollpan to cover the ugly frame drop downs, but made it out of two pieces cause we didn't have enough metal for a one piece. It runed out great- except the warp in the middle where it was welded, and since it will be black we're remaking it as one piece (we made a trip to the steel shop! ouch $$$$$$). That should be done in a few days with a minimum of tools :D
     
  8. buschandbusch
    Joined: Jan 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,293

    buschandbusch
    Member
    from Reno, NV

    yup! if you wanna make an omelette, you gotta break some eggs! We clean up about once a month, or about once after every three projects :p
     
  9. 48fordnut
    Joined: Nov 4, 2005
    Posts: 4,215

    48fordnut
    Member Emeritus

    Good tech, nice car. More people should do post of what they are doing in the shop. keep it going. :)
     
  10. fastfrankie73
    Joined: Apr 14, 2005
    Posts: 450

    fastfrankie73
    Member

    What are those black things over the front and back tires connected with a running board?:cool: I've never seen those on a model a. are they some sort of mudflaps?
     
  11. that brings back some happy memories, 'cept i didn't have a plasma cutter, all done by hand with shears. go with leather hood straps, i like 'em.
     
  12. buschandbusch
    Joined: Jan 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,293

    buschandbusch
    Member
    from Reno, NV

    yeah, sheesh, I wish i didn't have a plasma cutter. I love Lincoln products, but damn, I am VERY disappointed in this cutter, I only have 110 volt, and it says it can cut up to 3/8. Cool, I figure it'll cut at least 1/4 then. Get it, and find out that rating was based on 240v. WTF! So, needless to say it is a glorified sheetmetal cutter, and I can't even do that straight!!!!

    Will probably sell it and buy a good sheet brake and Makita electric nibbler, or a Greenlee hole punch and nibbler, maybe some very large hole flaring dies.
     
  13. buschandbusch
    Joined: Jan 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,293

    buschandbusch
    Member
    from Reno, NV

    there were some requests for full body shots of the coupe, so I'm posting them here.

    Yeah, I know they **** but it's the best I could do while at work hehehe, it needs some bodywork, a top, a new windshield, etc. All in good time. But, this is with the newly debuted 3" lowering job in the rear. I lost a lot of the rake, but it's much better when the roof isn't higher than a truck sitting next to you :D Next up is the chop, maybe 4"? and 460. The banger will eventually go in our T roadster since it has more of a shot at acceleration than a fendered steel coupe!
     

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  14. Tha Driver
    Joined: May 11, 2005
    Posts: 903

    Tha Driver
    BANNED
    from S.E. USA

    Yeah sheesh I just HATE it when you have to use a plasma cutter. Just send that POS to me & I'll do away with it for ya'.
    ~ Paul
    aka "Tha Driver"

    I'm not a complete idiot, some parts are missing.
     

  15. HEY!!! i am closer i will come and pick it up...just leave it infront of the garage, and it will be gone by morning :D (what is your address again)

    anyways, did you decide on what hood straps you are going to use?
     
  16. JasonK
    Joined: Apr 16, 2004
    Posts: 753

    JasonK
    Member

    Your only a NEWBIE to this site, :D you really know your ****. That is pretty cool.
     
  17. buschandbusch
    Joined: Jan 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,293

    buschandbusch
    Member
    from Reno, NV

    I know I sound like a Boydster complaining about having to use a plasma cutter! LOL but next to the mill and TIG welder that's the most expensive tool we own, honest :D Just wish we'd have gotten some other more effective tools in its place is all. When we sell it we'll cut a fellow HAMBer a deal on it, but be warned it does better on 240!

    PS stay tuned for "making a rear roll pan for your A"
     
  18. buschandbusch
    Joined: Jan 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,293

    buschandbusch
    Member
    from Reno, NV

    yup- gonna find four cheap leather belts with some solid buckles, and cut them up and rivet the ends to the hood and grill shell/cowl Gotta also replace the cowl lacing on the shell so that the hood sits up off of it another 1/4". Will try to distress the leather with a buffer as well :p


    stay tuned for pics
     
  19. X38
    Joined: Feb 27, 2005
    Posts: 17,498

    X38
    Member

    Can't comment on the plasma, but the brain seems to be workin ok.
     
  20. Powerband
    Joined: Nov 10, 2004
    Posts: 542

    Powerband

    How did you form the contour of the hood over the radiator shell?. Was there any difficulty in accomplishing this. The hood appears to fit the radius well.

    PB

    "Some pop rivets and JBweld we're good to go"
    [​IMG]
     
  21. buschandbusch
    Joined: Jan 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,293

    buschandbusch
    Member
    from Reno, NV

    I bent it mostly using the cowl and radiator shell underneath it, then took it off to bend the sides down more. All the bending was by hand. The folded over lip does stiffen it up just enough, but it doesn't resist hard bending. Taking it on and off doesn't warp it any though
     
  22. I used small turn buckles to hold down my hood, just mounted them out of sight between the hood and the rad shell.
     
  23. FORDY 6
    Joined: Oct 8, 2002
    Posts: 1,571

    FORDY 6
    Member

    Great tech piece...go with the leather straps...
     

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  24. chopzuk
    Joined: Dec 19, 2005
    Posts: 85

    chopzuk
    Member
    from central AR

    Those straps are awesome.:eek: You make those?
     
  25. Brandy
    Joined: Dec 23, 2004
    Posts: 5,286

    Brandy
    Member
    from Texas

    They look a whole lot like the ones made by Limeworks.

    I think that hood is incredible.....AND it's something even I with no metal skills could do.

    Yer so my new hero.:D
     
  26. hotrod54chevy
    Joined: Nov 7, 2003
    Posts: 1,590

    hotrod54chevy
    Member
    from Ohio

    MAN that's lookin awesome..everyone seems to be just beatin all these awesome parts outta steel with a hammer and a board...maybe i should get on the stick and get to work on those kustom skirts for my chevy....:eek:
    creepy
     
  27. This belongs in the tech-o-matic!

    Do you bend over all for endges or just those that sit accross the cowl and grill?

    Danny
     
  28. hilbillyjim1948
    Joined: Jul 2, 2006
    Posts: 116

    hilbillyjim1948
    Member
    from australia

    i always try and plan all my mods down to the finest points and usually over complecate my job and process involved its great to see someone who can make such a complecated piece so easily with minimum tools and cash ,great job ,ill try bending one up this week end at home!!!!
     
  29. buschandbusch
    Joined: Jan 11, 2006
    Posts: 1,293

    buschandbusch
    Member
    from Reno, NV

    hey Shoot, didn't see these responses til just now- thanks. The edges of all four were hammered over. Actually, the edges of the hood that don't sit against the cowl and grill shell were only bent 90 degrees, rather than all the way. Gives it a smoother look (less hammer marks), and adds a nice thickness when you look at it from the ground. :D
     
  30. el chuco
    Joined: Feb 20, 2006
    Posts: 125

    el chuco
    Member

    That hood looks great! You should feel proud man. Thanks for posting. This is going into my tech archive fo sho! It always kicks *** to see people like yourself get the job done and not be brain-washed into thinking you need special tools.
     

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