***Munster's 51' Chevy coupe Chop***

Thanx man! I've only used the wheel on the 49' shoe box sail panels so far. I don't care how long it takes me to shape the ones for this coupe , but they're gonna be round, I'm not gonna settle for less than perfect!!

 

Damn Ian,remind me to not look at your posts after I've been working on my car Truely amazing work,thanks for the updates!!!!

 

nice dude. my only advice with the wheel, if you havent found out yet is, it WILL bite you its only a matter of time...lol so watch your fingers dude but other than that it looks like youve got it pretty squared away i like it.

 

BITE? LOL!!

Alright that's where I'm at ! Sail panels!

It ain't pretty but i boxed the structure and its solid!!



Welded a little section on the top of the window and roof!







Made a template for the panels









Transfered to metal......... Now comes the REAL test....... Shaping those suckers!?!?!?!?!

 

keep at it.... she is looking real nice. Thanks for the updates.

 

Perfect proportions on the chop! Can't wait to see this car finished.

 

I thought it was gonna look nice when it had a huge hole in the roof, but with the paper pattern this thing looks SICK!!!!! I wish I lived closer to you I would be in line to get the roof of my shoebox done. Keep up the nice work and I will keep taking notes.

 

I don't know if you can do it,,You can beat and bang all you like,,but when the other sail panel is done,,well,,I'll be there to pick it up with my trailer,,say,, Monday!!!




Seriously,,I'm like a few others here that have the skill to pull it off but have to get over the intial fear. You are an inspiration,,for that I say Thanks.

 

Anyway this can be condensed afterwards into a tech? Without all the comments in between. Great job and an awesome inspiration to get my ass movin on mine.

Any explanation on the markings for the sail panels i think i got it but wanna be sure. Stretch the circle and wheel the lines?

 

Thanx so much guys!! Im super intimidated by the sail panels!! I think i did a decent job with the rest so i have to keep it going and finish this coupe like it deserves!! It was a straight car to begin with it has to leave my house the same!! NO FLAT SPOTS!!

The circle and the lines is kinda something to follow as for the shaping, but im self taught so i might be totally wrong!! Anyways i started shaping the piece and its definitely taking shape, but its a lot of trial and error!! I wish i knew somebody locally to help me hands on and give me direction..... but i guess ill figure it out, i might make 6 panels but 2 will be good!!



Thanx fellas!!!

 

Here's what i got so far!! If any shapers wanna give me some pointers, i would be stoked!! Doesnt seem like much but for me there's a lot going on in that area!!



Thanx

 

Looks good to me!

 

You know what homie? I just fu@#!ed with it a bit more and it's coming together! Im tired , ill mess with it tomorrow!! Been at it since 6 am

 

Man can you show us again you tools so that we all know that you are not working with a yoder or something.

You are truly talented Ian....now seriously, I'll buy you a ticket and feed you like a king if you can chop my '54. I'll even ask my wife is she can......wait, I think I crossed a line.

 

Damn!!!!! Looking great, Ian! Thanks for posting the in progress shots. If I didnt know better, I'd say you'd been choppin' tops for a long time! Great job, man!

 

Wow. Those new pics are great. The roof is keeping it's flow with those new sail panels! I had just convinced myself YESTERDAY that I don't need to chop my Coupe and in fact a chop would only ruin those round lines, but you've got me waffling again. Looking freakin' good.

 

HAHAHAHA!! Ship it or tow it man!! And we get to meet in person and you get to make the first cut!

Thanx Todd, Means a lot!!

I honestly love them stock and chopped!! One day, i wanna have a perfectly stock chevy like yours homie, and that'll be my driver!! Thanx brah!!

 

Seriously Ian... I don't think club coupes need a chop, that is off the chart!!! Get some rest brutha!!! We'll wait till tomorrow to see it finished!!!

 

Hey Ian,

I'd cut some templets of the Sail panel, or bend some welding rod, and use these to help you determin shape and form whyle working on the shot bag & wheel. Ya already have the rough size of the blank on your templet, now make some up that reflect the crown, flow & shape of the panel as it blends at the base, center & above the backlight area. Donut box cardboard workd well for these, Covell said people usta use old movie posters, maybe back when they didn't have "talkies"?
These, well made, will save ya a shit load of time and keep ya from havin to go back and forth from the wheel to the car. Jus keep them beside you at the bag and the wheel. When you think you are in the ballpark, than fit it to the vehicle.

looks good!

Swanky Devils C.C.
" All great truths begin as blasphemies''

 

ian, your stuff looks awesome. love the pics. the sail panels are looking good. i totally dig your style, this car is coming out awesome. keep going, this is inspiring a lot of people, myself included. take care and i cant wait to see more of your work
regards
jim

 

It's gonna take me a few days brotha!!

Really good stuff man!! Thanx so much!!

Thanx man!!!

 

Love your work Ian.

Did you hammer some shape into those sail panels before you started wheeling or go straight to the wheel?

You make it look so easy. I'm gonna curse you when I start on mine and it doesn't go so easy. It'll be all your fault!

Oh yeah, another question, what are you welding with? Sorry if you already covered that.

Pete

 

Than a lot man!!

I did hammer quite a bit with the tear drop mallets on the shot bag, which i just emptied the sand and put in real shot and it's night and day....85$ well spent, and slowly shaping it with the wheel. It's totally taking shape and im super happy so far. It's definitely gonna look round, not flat spots. Im taking my time and being patient, it's a long process since im new at shaping but well worth it in the end im sure!!

I use a millermatic 180 set pretty low. For example i started welding the rear of the roof to the upper window part and i weld a little and use the die grinder 36g and grind the weld off, it doesnt create a lot of heat as if you were grinding a whole section with an electric grinder. it takes a little longer but its smooth and the metal isnt all beat from too much heat i guess. Im not 100% sure if it makes a difference but i does in my head and makes me feel im not killing te original metal!!

Good luck on your future chop.... If i can do it... you can too!!

Ian

 

LESS CHATTER, MORE SPATTER...hahahah looks good Ian...cant wait for more photos

 

Nice work Ian.If I lived out there I would be out there just to hand out the tools or whatever just to see the transformation and learn a little bit.Keep up the good work man!!

 

So when u want to tackle your first 4 door 49 merc? Jim

 

Holy crap! You definately have skills,.....I would be crying right after the first cut....Great job and thanks for sharing!!!!

 

I will next week!!

Thanx brotha!!

I have a friend here who im trying to convince to chop his 4 door merc!! I'd love to do that!!

I was definitely nervous, i dont care how good you are i bet that feeling never goes away!! Thanx man!!

 

I have some setting up to do first. I might have some more questions as I get into it. I need to make myself an E wheel. Got a good source for quality top wheel and anvils?

I was thinking about a TIG. Already have a mig and O/A. I taught myself to hammer weld with the O/A but it's slow, especially on your own. That's why I'm thinking TIG. Less heat, minimal grinding, faster than O/A (slower than MIG).

I'm really enjoying your threads and learning from you. My chop will be quite a bit different but all the processes are the same.

Pete

 

YOU KNOW , IAN Has a second shop in kansas that is alot closer to oklahoma, RIGHT !!! bring it on !!! just schedule the chop , for when he is at his vacation cabin in kansas !