Projects fixing a smashed 31 model A pickup cab.

thanks, it is good to get back on it. the slacker has gotten to the point he will need the frame to keep going. I need to get the body stuff done for him.

 

so I did a quick re-enactment of the process I used to make the end pieces.
first I cut the width of the pieces on the table saw.

 

then moved the fence over and set the blade to the proper height to make the small rabbit that goes against the steel header angle.

 

I then raised the blade and set the angle to 30 degrees and cut the face side.

 

@tb33anda3rd Lots of talent in that work !! Thanks for saving another old truck.

 

I then cut the pieces to length on the chop saw and measured for the rabbet on the ends. they had to be done on opposite sides. I set the blade height and cut it using the sliding miter, then cut the chunk off with the band saw.

 

to cut the notch for the bolt hardware I used my home made router table. I made a mark where the board needed to stop and start and set the bit to the required height. I did it in a few passes. the final shape of the ends will be done with the belt sander after it is on the truck.

 

Love it. Thanks for the education.

 

Very nice work both wood and metal!

 

thanks guys

 

glued and clamped up the header pieces today. still need to make a center block which I will do tomorrow.
I also need to do a little more straightening and welding to the header and visor.

 

this is how I have been making my dimensional lumber. I snapped a straight chalk line. then cut it using the home/kit built, band saw Charlie picked out of the dump.

 

I cut the piece I cut off in half to make the two pieces that will go above the door. I then cut it to size on the table saw. finished board on left.

 

both pieces cut.

 

I also cut a chunk out to make the two curved pieces over the back of the cab. I laid the pieces out as they grew, showing the milled pieces location.

 

I also made and glued the center board of the header. when it was dry I sanded all the seams and filed the holes out. ready to install once I prep the metal surfaces.

 

I straightened and patched the header cover. I squared up the corners and edges and bent a piece of sheet metal to fit. I used my brake to start the bends then used my vise to finish the bends. fitted and welded it in.

 

That is some excellent information regarding the repair & replacement on the header. Thanks for sharing it!

 

should get back to this.

 

Charlie and I have been socially distancing so we have not worked on anything together. he wanted me to make a dash panel so he could paint it and put it together at his house. he dropped off a template and a piece of 20 gage sheet metal he marked up. his plan was to cut out the gage side of the fuel tank and screw this to the tank with his gages in it and still look like the original tank [sort of]. I decided to make a few changes I think he will be happy with. his panel did not go all the way to the door jamb and the bottom edge would have been just cut out. I also decided to do it in 18 gage.

 

I retraced out his design on a longer piece, and allowed enough to make bends on the sides and tabs at the top to use the tank bolts to hold it in. I then bead rolled the lower edge and cut it out leaving about a half inch extra along the bottom edge.

 

I then hammered and dollied the bottom edge over to form a return to stiffen up the panel. I then cleaned up the edges.

 

I then folded up the tabs and the side pieces.

 

it fit and has the look of the original tank. the bolts will come out and holes will be drilled in the tabs to hold it in after the final trimming. next step will be to drill the holes for the gages.

 

cut open the tank to make room for the gages. about 3/4 of an inch of crud.

 

...Eweee...aka ala gurrrrose...betcha that smells a little rank...

 

it has no petroleum smell, just sort of "earthy"

 

Nice

 

today I removed the rail under the windshield, fixed a couple of the trapped nuts, and sandblasted the back side and bottom. I noticed the edge of the tank was bent down. I always wondered what those wrenches were for. I then put a coat of rust shield on. I also cut the rest of the tank out.

 

with the rail out I could fit the dash board I made and mark for the holes. I also trimmed the angled ends and drilled and screwed it in.