Metalshapers: Anyone try making rain gutters?

Since I had to do some "alterations" to my Fordor (mainly the LENGTH), I've found I have enough material left over from the rain gutters to splice in pieces, but I think the contour might end up being weird. So, I was thinking of fabbing up some from scratch to make the contours I need. I think splicing pieces in might start looking sketchy.

Anyone try making their own? From doing a search I saw a few ideas but no actual results. Saw the idea about forming square tubing and cutting the top off. Was thinking of actually starting with a flat strip of sheet metal and forming it to a wooden buck.

Would like to hear your thoughts. Something more than "MACs sells blanks that can be formed".

 

That´s exactly how I made my one rain gutters for Model "A" Coupe. Actually I was planning to write a "tech" posting but I didn´t... It turned out very well and wasn´t very hard to do. Just cut one side full open and the inner side only half then weld it from there to the roof.

--mika

 

Excellent! Could you possibly send me some close-up pics? Would really like to see more!

 

Yes, I have some more photos but I don´t know if there´s anything special to see.

1. step: Bend the right size (=small) square tubing to fit the roof.
2. step: Cut off the top and ½ of the inner side.
3. step: Tack weld tubing to the right place.
4. step: Cut the extra length.
5. step: Weld the rest slowly and with small current.
6. step: Repeat to the other side.
7. step: Round and smooth edges like you want to.

--mika

 

Nice job with the roof bows!

What did you use for those?

 

Thanks. They are from a German Opel Rekord, eighty-something. And the roof insert is from the same car so the shape is perfect. The rest is old Henry´s or straight from the hardware store´s rack...

 

Ahh. Cool! I'm going to have to end up making something like those too for what I want to do for my roof.

BTTT.

Anyone try forming some gutters from scratch using just sheet metal or is that just a crazy idea?

 

I used 20 Ga. sheet metal and when over to my friends house who is a retired tin smith. Obviuously he has two large brakes, 14' and 18' which we used to make the gutters for my model 'A' sedan.

We cut the two pieces 8' long and 1 3/4" wide.

We started by;

1) Bent approximately 1/4" over onto itslelf to form the outside of the rain gutter
2) Bent a 90 degree angle at the bottom of the fold/double thickness to form the bottom of the rain gutter
3) Measured approximately 1/4" from the 90 degree bend to form the upright of the rain gutter, which attaches to the roof, and bent at approxiamtely 45 degrees.
4) Next we placed a long 1/4" rod inside of the rain gutter as the brake would not form a 90 degree bend. We then opended up the brake, placing the entire gutter into the jaws of the brake, and pressed in the 90 degree bend. In essence, you end up with a "U" channel with one side of the leg taller than the other. The taller leg attaches to the roof of the car by welding on both sides of the gutter where the orginal gutter was nailed into the hardwood. The 1/4" rod rounded the bottom of the "U" slightly.....

I have attempted to post two pictures of the gutter which we made, however; the camera would not focus properly on the end of the gutter, but it gives you and idea. Gutters on the rod look great, lots of welding and grinding of course....

 

Took measurements off original gutters on A coupe and went to a metal fabricating company. They duplicated the gutter minus the small bead that was rolled in the bottom of the original. The top outter lip curves in back toward the body a bit. A 4 foot length was about $14.00 Cdn. Made a bending jig to form the hook by the rear quarter window and curve over the door. Inserted a piece of particle board inside the gutter prior to bending to prevent any collapse and the jig prevents the side from bowing out. Still have to form the curve to fir the side of the roof and remove original gutters to fix rust under originals.

Should be hard to tell from original.

 

posted this about a trillion times but no one ever listens, dont know why im saying it again but you can just go to homedepo, menards, whatever and get this half track < theres a legit name for it that i dont recall off hand > its like a c channel, split it length wise, bend it over an old ford brake drum to get the curve and weld the ******* on

super cheap and looks a hell of alot better then the aluminum repop **** they make

tim

 

because I've never heard you say it before, that's why

 

I also made a set by bending a 1 3/4" strip of 18 ga into a u shape with a 1/4" return. I would imaging a sheet metal shop could do it pretty cheap if you dont have access to a decent brake.

 

This is great info guys! Maybe I could even get my sheetmetal guy at work to do the initial bends for me or let me use his brakes and sheers.

Thanks Tim! I'm sorry you had to post this a couple times. I'll look for that stuff.

Keep this going if there are more ideas!

Cheers!!!

 

Bump for this one...

 

Or you could just go to a local RV camper and caravan builder and see what they use.

 

Tim and I were standing around "Man-a-fre"'s model A coupe 2 weeks ago, marveling at the nice gutters on it. That's what he did and it looks great...cost him about 43 cents. Can't tell it from stock gutters.
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Yeah, I need to check this stuff out! What do I ask for or where do I look for it at the HW store? Is it aluminum or steel? I wonder how round headed rivets would look for fastening it to the body. No wood in my Model A, so they have to be welded or riveted on.

 

BTTT.... I'm still wondering what to get here. Need to check this stuff out you're talking about.

 

i think you could roung rivit it or even drill some holes in it and roset weld it, ill find out what the "legit" name for the stuff is

tim

 

Just the person I was hoping would reply...

What section of the HW store should I look? I've got a good idea what the stuff looks like, but I'm not sure I've ever seen it.

 

[when i chopped the top &shaved the drip rails,after i put everything back together it just didn't look right withoutthem. i took a piece of 18 ga cut a 1" strip welded it along the top of the door opening then took a piece of 1!4" round stock ,tacked &heated, bent it around the edge. made the door opening gap look better. later rob SOUTH OMAHA TURDS

 

I only replaced about 12 inches on the Ford, but here's how I did it. I got some conduit, bent it to shape and then quartered it length wise. I ended up bending one piece of coduit which gave me both sides of the car.

 

I made mine for my A pickup with square tubing. Then I drilled 1/4 holes in it about every 6" and welded in them and then ground them smooth.

 

Crease and royalshifter,
Do you guys have any pictures you could share? I would REALLY like to see this!

 

I made some Driprails when I built the removeble Hartop for my Roadster.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11722

 

Awesome man! That looks great! Nice work!

 

I'll shoot some for you tomorrow and post em.

 

Cool! Thanks man!

 

Did anybody ever come up with the "legit" name for this Home De Pot track stuff? I was there this morning and even though I don't have any drip rails to fabricate right now, I was curious what this stuff looked like. I went through the shelving isle and the closet door isle. I saw some things that could be made to work but I don't think that I hit on exactly what Tim is talking about.

 

Ditto! Tim, or someone! What/where is this stuff??