Almost ten years ago I followed the advice of an old hot rodder and bought a spiral notebook for my shop and labelled it "Templates". Every since, every time I fab something hot rod related, I make a template or sketch a drawing with measurements into this tablet. I take an extra minute and write a paragraph describing the part, the dimensions, why I made it and things to consider the next time (so I don't repeat screw ups). What I've found out is that I've been able to share these with lots of other rodders to help speed up their projects. Also I do the samething for parts I have to buy. Since I don't know who reads this forum I'll say I make templates of these parts because I think they are purty! If we all do this, we'll have a hell of a catalog of stuff!!
Man, that sounds like a good idea! I will follow that advice in the future. Along the same lines, but just a little different.... Every time I take something apart any more, I snap a digital picture of it and save it on my computer. I have one hell of a file on the Fairlane. This documentation is great to come back to long after everything is looking different in the real world.....(parts spread all over the floor of the garage) And you need to know how to put it back together! JT.
Before I chopped the top on my truck I knew I'd need to recreate the contour of the belt line because I was chopping it right in the middle of the rusted out belt line. I mixed up about a cup of plaster, thick enough to stay put on a verticle surface and blobbed it on the body in an undented area, let it set. Then I removed the plaster, squirt some water on it after it's set and cooled off and it releases and almost falls off, and then cut the plaster cast up the middle. I then had a profile of th contour which I scribed onto a piece of scrap aluminum and cut out carefully along the scribe. I found the aluminum template not only useful for aligning the panels and checking them for depth, but I also used it as a "drag" to spread body filler accurately across the area, therby needing very little "adjusting" with sandpaper afterwards.
Everytime I make a template it gets thrown up on the workbench or in a drawer and ends up getting oil or something else spilled on it. Then its so messed up its not usuable again.I need to get organized and get me a spiral.
FarmerJohn gave me an idea like that, but not as much related to fabbing stuff up. Since I'm going with the new motor in my car and everything, and doing a lot of custom work and new shit, I made a book with a list of all the things I'm doing in it, and making a record of all the part numbers of anything that's going on that car. Helps me in the long run if I have a problem... and helps anyone that buys the car down the line. It'll let them know EVERYthing about that car... might even help sell it, too!
Hey Reggie, I keep some really light weight aluminum around just for this purpose. It is like .015" thickness. Easy enough to cut with snips and light enough that it can be stuck in a binder.
I did the same thing as Kojack. When I built the 360 that is now in my Chrysler 300, I kept the measurement sheets I took (used the forms in the back of the Chevrolet Power manual), the reciepts, manuals that came with stuff (Edelbrock carb, heads, etc) and all the instruction sheets that came with the parts. If it didn't have it in the instructions, I took the label off the packaging to include in the book (piston ring box end, for example). That way, I know exactly which parts I had. Kinda anal, but makes sense. I put them all in a big white binder with a cover that let me put pix in it, so I know it's my Chrysler book. Jay
Hey guys, I love the ideas. Especially using metal guides and templates. That never crossed my mind. I like it, I like it alot!!!!! Root, I'm on my way to get some Aluminium.
[ QUOTE ] Along the same lines, but just a little different.... Every time I take something apart any more, I snap a digital picture of it and save it on my computer. [/ QUOTE ] In addition to taking pictures I also make rough sketches of complicated assemblies (how they come apart) and if I'm not going to work on that assembly for a while, I put it back together (bolts loose) so when it comes time to work on it again, I have an idea of how it's assembled. (e.g. - carbs, steering boxes, etc.) I save all kinds of card board (like shoe boxes) to make templates. I store them (if they will fit) in plastic page protectors in a three ring binder along with the pictures and the sketches. In a couple of cases I also have some thin aluminum templates that I store in the binder as well. [ QUOTE ] This documentation is great to come back to long after everything is looking different in the real world.....(parts spread all over the floor of the garage) And you need to know how to put it back together! JT. [/ QUOTE ] Couldn't have said that any better myself!
I'm keeping track of parts #s from belts, hoses I cut down to fit, etc & plan on keeping notebook in my 32 so I can quickly get parts should I break down away from home. I bought a big trash can full of old mags, Street Rodder etc. Every night when I go to bed look thru one, in early 90s Street Rodder right now, every month they printed a template for a different fabbed part Reggie, after meeting you and seeing your coupe at the drags last month I am not surprised at your thoroughness ? (spell check?) Was a pleasure to meet you.
[ QUOTE ] Reggie, after meeting you and seeing your coupe at the drags last month I am not surprised at your thoroughness ? (spell check?) Was a pleasure to meet you. [/ QUOTE ] BellM, it was great to meet you too. I'm not all that thorough, but I do try.
here is a slick trick i learned about making templates at least one type.You buy some thin wood paneling .They sell 1/8 thick plywood its great stuff.You cut into desired width stips on the table saw be careful that they are true and straight . Like 2inch X 8 feet for floor pan ect ect. Now when you lay out a template for a floor or whatever . You grab a razor knife and a hot glue gun. You measure the length you need and cut them with the razor knife cut them a little short.Now all the little cut outs ect ect can be achived by using small pieces of the strips .Just glue them in with hot glue around the parimiter of your floor.Put in some strengthning pieces as you go so when done it holds together.You can use this to make paterns for door panels kick panels ect ect sheet metal any type of flat material.We used it to make patterns for granite counter tops because you can only cut once most of the time. This is the only way we found to make a acurate template. I have found it very useful for alot of hotrod applications
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=238908&Forum=UBB1&Words=templates&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=allposts&Main=238888&Search=true#Post238908 another simalir post
Hey, Slazzen. Here's a tech post for you: don't include a URL that's rediculously long. Now everyone has to scroll across the screen to read anything on this thread. Hit the URL code instead. Love, Matt
[ QUOTE ] thoroughness ? (spell check?) [/ QUOTE ] http://www.spellcheck.net/ i just found this site and have used it often. later jim
how do I do that duece rails???? please school me because if I knew what you were talking about i would probably have done it???
It's just like posting a picture. Under "Instant UBB Code" on the posting page, hit URL instead of Image. Copy and paste the loooong URL into the first box that pops up, and type a description in the second box that pops up. That's all there is to it: This is a text link to your Looong URL.
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