I've been looking at my new Rod & Custom mag with the article on chopping a top on a Model A coupe (Jimmy Shine's way). I'm just about ready to chop my coupe and I was wondering if anyone has any experience chopping one like Jimmy did. Most of the articles and books I have are doing a straight cut chop instead of the staggered cut. The staggered cut, looks like a slick way to do it. But, before I start marking and cutting - I was looking for some pros and cons to chopping it like Jimmy did. Also, how much time should I allow to do this? Is it possible to get it done in one day (I've got several buddies that can help)? Thanks, Brewton
yea..i checked that article out myself. It really looked nice when the top was layed down after chopping it. And the way they dressed those welds knocked me out..you could barely see the seem. Something else that I thought was a slick idea was that he used blue machinist dye then scribed his cut marks..very cool. A straight chop might be easier for your first attempt. Good luck Jerry
I would never try to rush getting a chop done in just a day, if you've done it before you could probably get it lined out and cut in a day and possibly tacked back in place if you have enough experienced friends helping. But for your first one plan on taking as much time as possible. You know the saying "measure twice, cut once"! I look forward to seeing pics of the work, good luck.
...isn't it done that way to maintain the correct rear window proportions? one day? take your time and make sure it's done right...maybe one day to lay out your cut lines/tape.
Read the article, it's done that way to illiminate distortion and to keep the lines close to stock on the pillars and the keep the curves in proportion on the rear corners. It's a good way to chop an A, takes more time and more welding, but has great results.
I read the article. And I understand that it helps with distortion and matching the lines. I guess I didn't ask the correct question - I was just wondering if anyone had any experience chopping a top both ways (staggered and straight cut) and had a preference.
I learned that trick from that Ron Fournier chopping and sectioning video. It's nice because when you're O/A welding being off the width of a sharpie is the difference between easy welding with no filler and blowing a bunch of holes. Eastwood sells that dye in a spray can and a metal pick kit to scribe it for like $20...
i got cans of that Dyechem coming out of my machine cabinet..i would rather do the tape and spray method.. but than i have no chopped roofs yet..so i will quietly go back to my work and STFU
I chopped around the back window on my 29 pickup that way. It worked out great. It just did a straight chop on my A sedan and it turned out nice too. Here is a shot of my truck.
In that article they also mentioned tacking the top back on then running a saw back through the cut to get a perfect gap. Seems like a good trick but has anyone else done this?
"The Jimmy Shine way"? Does that mean you stand there and gives orders while others do the work? LOL!!!!
No Bob...... it means you have to grease slick your hair back first, get it all perfect and throw some ink on your arms before you chop.....and you get to stop and ask Pete questions if you get lost along the process..
It does keep the rear window a little big bigger - making it easier to see. The mail slots look cool too though. Personally, I prefer the large window, keeps it in proportion.
Yeah, being the ONLY person with slicked back hair and tattoos would make him REALLY easy to pick out in a crowd at a hot rod event- The last 4 events I went to (Lone Star Roundup, Back to the Beach...) I must have seen him 10,000 times! I suppose I'd have seen him a couple more thousand times if I would have made it to Viva Las Vegas If anyone knows a BETTER way to chop a car PLEASE let me know- I can probably help get you in Rod & Custom (they ALWAYS need good tech stories). You must have a saw and welder Bob- let me know when to stop by
Have any of you ever worked with the man?.......You can not take away the fact that someone really knows his way around a shop and has a great eye for detail.....can you?...Littleman
I was just asking for some advice on chopping a top, not a discussion about weather or not you like Jimmy Shine.
I thought it was an informative how to.......one of many ways to chop a top...and if I had never did one myself that article would have put me out in the garage cutting mine...its all in the pics and text for once and was easy to understand....Littleman
My limited experiance ...Measure 10 times as many hours as it will take to do actual cutting Good luck
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