The shrinking disc is not nearly as hard to use as you might think. I recently was schooled on how to use one & I saw almost immediate results with about ten minutes of instruction. I was straightening the back panel from my 29 Tudor. It looked like an army of monkeys with a hammer in each hand had been at it. The section that I have worked on so far is smooth & ready for primer now. I also learned how to use slapper dollies and the proper hammering technique to not deform the metal further. I am glad that the guys who have the knowledge were willing to share it with me. I still think that the shrinking disc is black magic, nothing that works that well should be that simple. I now have one of my own. The guy I bought mine from makes them & he does not like the ruffled ones. His are a curved stainless disc. Looks like an 8000 rpm meat slicer.
Just started following your thread. I know what you mean about finances, I haven't worked for 3 years and too young for pension. I'm lucky the wife has a decent job to live on. I've been slowly working on my 52 poncho, your being quite an inspiration to me. Keep the good work going. Thanks!
I did a little more work this weekend. I got the panel shaped the way I wanted and fit to the car. IMAG0176 by 1/2done posted Oct 22, 2017 at 10:13 AM Now I needed to fab a flange to make the transition to the wheel well to replace this mess. IMAG0180 by 1/2done posted Oct 22, 2017 at 10:13 AM First I made a template of the wheel well. IMAG0177 by 1/2done posted Oct 22, 2017 at 10:13 AM I had a couple trial runs before I figured out how to make it without the radius shrinking. IMAG0182 by 1/2done posted Oct 22, 2017 at 10:15 AM Third time's a charm. IMAG0181 by 1/2done posted Oct 22, 2017 at 10:15 AM I cut the panel for a butt weld and tacked the flange in place. IMAG0183 by 1/2done posted Oct 22, 2017 at 10:15 AM Trial fit to make sure nothing moved. IMAG0184 by 1/2done posted Oct 22, 2017 at 10:15 AM Finish welded and ground. IMAG0185 by 1/2done posted Oct 22, 2017 at 10:15 AM IMAG0186 by 1/2done posted Oct 22, 2017 at 10:15 AM I'm not going to weld it in until I get the wheel well pieces fabbed and welded on. I may start fixing the door before I finish the wheel well though, the ragged flopping bottom edge of the door bothers me more.
Study on it real hard before you go cutting anything loose. It's kind of a geometry problem. You may be able to push or pull on something somewhere else and set that gap back to where it needs to be. I can't remember if you had that quarter cut loose before or not. If you didn't I would try to find what is out of place and force it back.
nice work...been keepin an eye on this thread since the start and have to say that I am always amazed with the progress when I look at where it started. can't wait to see the finished product as it will, I'm sure, be outstanding.
...I just read the whole thread--you are an amazing talent and I will be following this right to the end.
Unfortunately, nothing's going on at the moment. I'm wrenching on cars at home and have it tucked out of the way. So here it sits. IMAG0222 by 1/2done posted Oct 22, 2017 at 10:15 AM For now.
Hopefully things are looking up. The service manager at a Cadillac dealer I worked for back in 2004 heard I was out of work and called and offered me a job last week. So as of last Monday I am gainfully employed again and the 40 has come back out of storage. I didn't get a whole lot done today but I did start on the left 1/4 panel. IMAG0258 by 1/2done posted Oct 22, 2017 at 10:15 AM Once I get this side made I'll start bracing the body for sectioning. I know it's not much of an update, I'm just glad to be working on it again.
Good to hear you're rejoined the work force! I didn't know a body sectioning was planned, this should fun to watch. That yellow '40 in the movie Hollywood Nights is one of my favorite 1940 Fords.
Keep it up on that 40, you do amazing work! It just blows my mind the talent here on the hamb! And congrats on getting that job, its tough out there! I go weeks without finding work, and when I find it I thank the people who hire me and God, since Im self employed.
Good to hear its out of mothballs! At least it wasn't used as a rack, that's when it's real bad. Better to hear you've got steady income! TP
The right side 1/4 was the worst of the two. I tried to save the metal down 8" from the belt line but it was just too warped so I added a section to the panel I made. IMAG0267 by 1/2done posted Oct 22, 2017 at 10:16 AM I wanted to get a feel for how big the car was and try to get a better idea of where I'm headed so I did a mock up with vice grips holding the front end on. IMAG0268 by 1/2done posted Oct 22, 2017 at 10:16 AM I'm starting to get cold feet about cutting it up. I want to drive this car. My gasser was a blast to drive but going very far was impossible with the motor I had, 4:56 spool and slicks. Not exactly the cross country machine. I have a large journal 327 short block with forged TRW flat tops. I'm thinking about 76cc heads, mild cam, Q-Jet and headers coupled to a 5spd OD trans and a 10 bolt 2:41 rear end I have. I think I could afford fuel to drive to B'ville with that combo. Which brings me back to cutting on it. I want a lakes style coupe, I really like the one from the Perry photo, but holy shit that could go south real quick. I have visions of cutting it and having to try and weld two Pringles back together. I've seen some really kickass uncut 39-40 coupes slammed with Moon discs so I'm considering that option too. I guess for now I'll just keep plugging away at fixing all the metal and not worry about cutting away new metal if I decide to chop/section.
Thanks! I like the HN 40 too. Thanks! I was self employed for 6yrs and it is real tough right now. Plus self employed = no unemployment check so you can't coast very long at all. Thanks Travis. Not used as a rack but it was stuffed with car parts and body tools... Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!
The Jalopy Journal
