Projects Finally My '26 Chevy Roadster Build

I've noticed that a year goes buy a lot faster, that is my reason for no progress, saving up for a TIG Welder is not going well either.

Bob

 

I think I’m close to ten years on the A as well. Oh well, if you’re anything like me as soon as you finish one you’d just start another. Long as it’s giving you something to think about, and mess around with then I’d say just keep on keeping on.

unless your gonna step on a snake, then maybe take a step to the side.

 

I’m also in the take forever to get things done camp. Don’t give up. You’ll get there.

 

I know all about long-term projects. Just keep plugging away man.

 

It isn't that I'm not getting things done. I'm not getting the roadster done. Lots of progress in other places. The shop mess is still a problem and just keeping this place up so we can live here. I'm The Power Co. , Water Co. , Sewer Co. , Road Dept., Fire Dept. , Maintenance Crew, Head Mechanic, Landscaper, and All Around Handy Man. You should see my uniform! All excuses I know.

The next few weeks will determine if progress will be made this winter. There is an OT 4x4 (1970) that NEEDS to be back on the road. It REQUIRES shop space foe a week or two. So clear the shop and do the 4x4 work and when I pull it out set the roadster frame on the ch***is table and go for it. Leroy I chomping at the bit and will even be helping with the 4x4. It needs a transfer case rebuild (Dana 20), new body mounts, gas tank, power brake booster, power steering pump, then some little stuff I can do after in back on the road. All pretty easy stuff. I have all the parts except what ever TC gears are busted.

Thanks for the kind words. This thing is too cool not to build.

 

I think what helped me make steady progress was to slot it into regular rotation. Your truck project is already a priority in your head so it can get your space opened up and get working on the shop project on a regular basis into you schedule.

I know you already have figured out nothing gets done if you don’t make time for it. We aren’t 13 we aren’t going to just “find time” you’ve got to make time.

What helped me is realizing what projects have to get done. Like house things that need done before the snow sets in, and which projects aren’t high priority or are reoccurring update that basically will never be done.

Then I set up my schedule so every week I pick at the normal upkeep list that doesn’t go away and dedicate the bulk of my “project time” in week 1 to my garage project and week 2 I dedicate that bulk project time to less fun things like fixing the front porch or whatever non garage big projects I have.

I think it lets me focus on the current weeks project because I don’t feel bad not doing the other project because it gets its turn next week. And by not trying to divide the time I have in one week I can actually get something done even if it’s just one step in a larger project.

Weather and parts availability can throw this rotation off but you get the jist.

Just some rambling, if it helps cool. If it doesn’t it doesn’t.

 

Thanks Tim. It does help to learn how other people get things done and stay with it. A regular schedule is key. I've gotten more done around here in the last 6 months than I have in a couple of years. I hired a Handy Man friend to do some things I couldn't get done alone and while he is here I do other things, some to help him and some to help me. A lot of what he is doing is using up materials I have stored here. We are building a greenhouse (long story) that is cleaning out the barn of old windows stored there for years. Enough left to build another one. Thinking just moving a lot out of the shop to get the Blazer in will leave roadster room when I pull it out. With winter coming only important stuff will go back in and a lot will be hauled off. What is good that can't be left outside can now fit in the barn. I may even rent a backhoe to move two big surface grinders that belong to my son from the machine shed to the barn. That will open a 9x24 stall there. Any way one thing is leading to another and in a roundabout way to the roadster which in its self got here in a round about way.

 

Cool. I do find myself weighing time/money/energy more and more when it comes to considering some help.

 

The last 5-10 posts on this thread are so incredibly relatable it’s not even funny. I think the members are more alike in these respects than we’d like to admit lol. We’ll be here when you have time to get back on the roadster, but for now have fun with that Blazer!

 

As I like to tell my adult kids and their families “Life is what happens while you are planning other things”

 

Thanks Tims! Got a little done today. And I'm now seeing that every bit f progress on this place is indirectly progress on the roadster.

Pirate, I'm finding that out.

One thing I have never understood about the old Chevys is the finish of the nails that attach the sheet metal to the wooden framework. Most nails are out of sight but some, like on the piece between the back of the p***enger area and the trunk lid have nails in the surface. Were they filled or just done as neatly s possible? I need to find a survivor or good restoration and check it out. It could also be an issue if I reuse some of the good wood and have to use the same holes. Not looking coward to dealing with the stretched metal around hundreds of little holes.

 

I would drill and plug where the nail holes are and you'll have new wood for the nails to go into.

 

Good idea, thanks. I leaning more to replacing the bad wood and using even repairing the useable pieces. That fits my original idea better. But there will be quite a bit of new. I'll have to get into it and see what GG2 is coming up with.