Lunar Lander Update With Pics and a bit of TECH

Well kids, I have been kind of slack on the roadster project for the past couple of months. People have been PMing me asking what is up with it so now you know. I built a deck though (and a lovely deck it is, 12 X 24 overlooking my goldfish pond, for you inquiring Bob Villa types), and have been busy at work so it's not like I have been a bum stuffing dollars at the titty bar or anything.

I was feeling kind of depressed on Sunday, so I thought I'd go out and work on the roadster. I welded on it for 14 hours on Sunday, and 12 on Monday so I was ready to go back to work on Tuesday so I could relax. Tuesday night I spent another 4 hours on it after a 9 hour day at work. I don't know how you all do things, but I put my ear plugs in, kick on the 300 disc CD changer, turn the volume up to "11", and let the Klipsch's rattle the shit off the walls. There is no sound from the compressor or the air tools and let me tell you when "Paradise City" comes on randomly on the stereo right when you are in a good groove it is enough to bring a tear to a grown man's eye.

Anyway, I don't want to drag you in to my little heaven on earth after all it is my "special place". Here is a pic of what 26 hours of welding will accomplish. I laid over 40 feet of weld! I'm not kidding either. I know it doesn't look too impressive but at least I know the work was in there.

 

Dude, you are Rock Star.

Looks sweet.

 

That fucker's cool.

 

Bad ass.... It going to be a righteous rocking ride...

\mmm/ It's to metal for just one hand...

 

bitchin'... not more needs to be said...ken....

 

Now let me tell you that everything just doesn't go flawlessly around the ranch. I struggle just as much as the next guy. After all this is only my second attempt at bodywork. I dont' care who you are, if you lay down 40 feet of weld on something you are going to have some warpage!

It just so happens that I got my new shrinking disc from John Kelly on Monday. Now generally you wouldn't get near a weld with a shrinking disc because a weld is actually dawing everything together on its own. I had these bulges over the arches that I cut for the axle. I was a bit perplexed until in a beautiful moment during Bang Tango's "Love Injection" I remembered in my head that someone on here said to picture a million tiny little fngers pulling along the weld. When I put my hands in the air acting like I was grabbing at some imaginary titties, I realized that the angle of the body line I welded on was pulling the metal in an upside down "U". It was actually pulling it together.

I had to cut a couple of "chicken feet" into the area and weld them back together. I actually took out about a 1/8 sliver to straighten it out which is quite a bit when you think about it. the damn thing is actually getting smaller! I dollied the metal together, tacked it, ground the weld down and then ran the shrinking disc over the high spots.

That said, i don't think there is a whole lot that can't be done with a Harbor Freight Palm Nailer and a shrinking disc. Now don't get me wrong, there will still be some putty in this one, just not an inch deep. Ha Ha Ha. Who knows, I may get the hang of this hot rod shit yet!

 

I love that car.

 

Who needs Yoga for exercise when you can get in all those positions to lay 40 feet of bead?

I like the boomerang shape of the round rod on the sides. Looks great.

 

I spent about and hour last night just running a piece of 3/8 inch rod through my ring roller and benchtop bender just to match the countour of the arch over the axle cutout. Then I started over with a new piece! The whole deal took me about 2 1/2 hours and I am not done welding it in yet. I get to do the other side tonight. Everybody wants to drive a hot rod, but very few of us actually want to work on them. It is easy to see why people get discouraged. It is a hell of a lot of work!

 

that has got to be the coolest thing i've seen someone build in a garage,im my whole life....


you sir, are some kind of wizard,haha......


how can you weld that much at a time,that'd fucking kill me....

 

Hopefully the Radir Drag slicks will get here next week and I can show you all a good pic of it with the wheels and tires on. It is going to be pearl white from the body line down and chunky blue flake (thanks Craig.....lover!) from the body line up. Here is the overall shot with wheels from a few weeks ago. If you look close enough you can see a few things that are different now.

 

just a thought,whould that not liiok crazy full fendered,not like model A,but like the big fendered custom madness and all that jazz...

i'd keep it like that,but what a thought.....

 

that there loony landau is the slickest little booger I ever seen

I love it

 

Fenders would be gay. But then again, so's Aaron.

 

been in awe since I first saw it.

Still am.

 

You are a RULER!!!! That is incredible amazing all that shit.......

WOW, I wish I had a ounce of that talent


Bigdaddy

 

It's like a claw bathtub with fins.

I friggin LOVE that thing... you got the wheels set in the right places and proportions are looking good. I'm glad to see your dedication to that little machine, you're in too deep now to quit!

 

I like the top angled picture, nice job on the inside. You are a ruler.

 

DAYUM!

 

................Christ!........I can see it now............Detroit Autorama "Extreme" 2006...............Bill Hines walks around the corner, stares at the "Lunar Lander" in disbelief..........smoke blows out both his ears, he clutches his chest, falls on the floor and his last words are....................."..........fuckin' kids!............."

 

...lover
haha
nahh, I just like to help beer drinkin' hillbillies.

 

Quite possibly the coolest Hair-Band related accomplishment ever.

Well, other than banging Heather Lockleer of course.

 

Hubba-Hubba

 

Skate fink, you were up there in Detroit, he will roll around the corner! I don't know about Hines, but this guy looked confused when I showed him the pics! Ha Ha Ha. He liked it, that was probably the coolest thing that has ever happend to me too. I hope to drag it to Detroit next year.

 

..............yea...........I was busy with the Pinstripers Jamboree upstairs, but I checked in from time to time and it was so cool to see the "legends" downstairs digging the talent, creativty and good times that you guys were all about instead of being "plastic car" snobs. I think it really got their old juices flowing.....

 

Hurry up you slug!

 

Check your PM. Thanks

 

That last picture (link) needs you in your purple tights with the green puddle skirt I bought you last christmas.....Topless, standing next to it or even spread eagle on the back!



Looks good man. Thanks for sticking with it,

 

I'm genuinely and properly impressed .

T.OUT

 

Everybody wants to drive a hot rod, but very few of us actually want to work on them. It is easy to see why people get discouraged. It is a hell of a lot of work![/QUOTE]

It's almost time to grind all of those welds smooth. Let the work begin! Then, how about some lead filler, cleaned up with a vixen file, by hand, for some real work. Happy Lunar landings, and may the Force be with you!

pigpen