Projects Trying to decide if I should attempt a build

Been doing a lot of reading on here, some amazing work, which has me questioning whether I should even try to do my own. Main interest is Model A trucks, and 32 - 34 3-window coupes or trucks.

Here are my skills:
Been doing my own work on cars since I was 16, I'm almost 50 now. The biggest jobs I've done is head gaskets, clutches, and changed a cam once.

I have a Hobart 110 V MIG welder (with gas). Compared to everyone on this board, I am a slightly past the beginner stage.

I am an very detailed oriented.

Here's the skills I don't have:
Metal working of just about any kind.
Never painted a car, but I think I could do a decent job, but I have no place to do it.

I don't know anyone personally that does the kind of work that I see here. I was originally thinking of a new frame and fiberglass body, and building that. I'm now more leaning towards buying a mostly finished A-model truck since they are more affordable than the '32 - '34, and build it to suit me.

Opinions?

 

Doing it is how you learn. Its not supposed to be perfect, its supposed to be fun. Who knows, you might be really good at it. You won't know until you give it a go.What have you got to lose? Its just an old truck, if you mess it up, sell it and buy one already done.
A good way is to buy someone's stalled project. Usually, they are sold at less than the amount invested in them.

 

Jump right in.... That's how I do it!

 

Don't know unless you try. It's like the lotto, can't win if you don't play.

 

Read and ask questions, follow Hamb, and then get in the garage and make mistakes, then do it over better again!!!

We learn from doing.

And then have fun with your project!!!

 

Where are you in GA- there are lots of helpful HAMBers down here !

 

That sounds like a good plan. but take your time and get a truck that was build right, so you don't have to redo everything. Of course that's hard to figure out without help....posting pictures of stuff you're thinking of buying will help.

 

I used to spend 20 bucks at the local steel supplier here by me on the left over scraps from their big projects and practice on that steel. Pieces left over from the big sheers and shit like that. I learned a lot. Just don't start learning how to weld and fab metal on the car your working on.

 

As Don pointed out,you learn as you go.

I have built a lot of cars over the years but I was older than you when I took on the most ambitious project.

I had do very little metal work but it's not that hard to do,if you screw up a panel just start over,it's a learning experience and it's suppose to be enjoyable.

Buying a stalled project is always a good idea. HRP

 

Just do it.

 

As jesse1980 said, get some scrap and practice your welding skills. Visit a local body shop and see what they have that is throw away and get it to practice some sheet metal work, just try to get something from an older vehicle, the new stuff is way to thin and a lot of it is high stressed steel that isn't really workable. After that, plug away at what ever project you choose. Lake everyone says, if you mess it up, just try again, and make sure to HAVE FUN!

 

When I bought my project I really was in the same situation you are. I had limited experience. Heck I didn't even know how to weld. Now I am fabricating my own parts and not having to pay someone to do the work for me and I've learned a lot in the process. There is a great knowledge base hear and in most cases people are willing to help you figure out any problems you might run into. Good luck and go for it. If you don't do it, you will always wonder if you could have.

 

It very rewarding to build your own Hot Rod. Take your time, keep reading. Then try to do it yourself.

 

This is my advice too. Try to find something that's complete that just needs to be worked over. There are some good deals out there on tacky, dated 1980's era builds that have good bones underneath but need a once-over. You just want to make sure you don't buy a hack job, which sometimes means more work than starting from scratch.

Fiberglass bodies and new frames are a ton of work, you're still building the whole suspension and drivetrain from scratch, and depending on what body you buy, you still are building a floor and sometimes installing all the body supports and such, plus paint, which is a ton of work to go through to end up with a fiberglass car with no title.

 

Just go in with lower expectations. I'd start with a project that just needs a power plant. A marathoner first needed to learn how to walk. Remember it's a fatal disease. Once you catch it. you will probably die with it.

 

Some skills come naturally, some with a lot of practice, and some never at all.

I have a friend who is a skilled mechanic who freezes in his tracks when it comes to electrical stuff.

My own weakness is body work. Heck, I can't even properly spackle a wall in a house.

You'll never know until you try. Do what you can and hire out what you can't. Just don't dive into the deep end until you've proven you can do a few laps around the pool.

 

I agree with 56Don its all about the fun! heck Im a chef and never ever thought I could do this but Im up to my neck and having a great time doing things two or three times till I get it right! I was 50 when I started now 53 and all I can tell you is that its like a bandaid just have to rip it off. you will be fine just do it cause there is alot of guys on here that could just buy one allready done! but where is the fun in that go get dirty!!

 

How tall/big are you? Model A trucks can be a tight fit for some.

 

I will agree with the comments on here, just go for it. Learn as you go and there's a wealth of information and help from folks here on the HAMB and elsewhere.


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You should absolutely build your own
Remember the welder makes metal bigger the sawzall makes metal smaller
Right tighty lefty losey
All the rest you need can be answered right here
-chop
Ps use bolts for some stuff as well

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Yes, keep it simple at first, and if you are not sure about something ask! I almost like building over driving. I go out to the garage, radio on country western, light up a cigar and I am in heaven. A little bit today a little tomorrow and before you know it your on the road! It's like going to a shrink without spending hundreds for BS answers!

 

1fastmf,
I don't know you at all so my encouragement may be wasted but I am going to say what I am going to say anyway.

If you stay traditional and don't try to go to extreme you will be fine. you may not have a show stopper but you can build a car simply that is every bit as good as anything anyone you went to high school with.

I would probably not try and build a show stopper, just build yourself a beater. drive it see what you have done wrong or what you would change and chanbge it from one season to ther next while you are acquiring the skills.

Make it fun and don't get too caught up in the 21st century BS that is common place now and never existed back when these cars were first popular. You'll no doubt be fine.

 

If you want to do it then do it. Don't be afraid to take the chance, or you may regret it later on or think to your self, I wonder what if I had...... Nothing ventured nothing gained. Building hotrods, racing and driving them is one of the best things I have ever been involved with!!!

 

Get in there!

4 1/2" angle grinder, welder,some basic hand tools, common sence and some perserverance is all you need. Everyone should have that! Looks like a green lite to me.

Good luck

Brad

 

You have the best support system imaginable right here.
That is why the HAMB rules!

Dive in, post pictures, have fun.

 

Do it... If you mess up than you now how not to do it... So than you take it apart and do it again...

Knowledge; Knowing how to do something right... Wisdom; Knowing how not to do something... Wisdom is much better than knowledge

 

As many have already said -- what have you got to lose by giving it a shot? Its just a bunch of metal bent into funny shapes anyway!

 

What he said.

 

I say go for it too. you might look at the local community college lots of them offer all manner of auto classes. several hot rodders I know here locally do the college classes just to have access to the resource (tools and paint booth specifically).

 

Like everyone else...I say do it. You do learn a lot as you go. Break a project down into small, individual projects. That keeps you from getting overwhelmed and you can focus on one skill set at a time. This place is an unreal wealth of ability and knowledge so take advantage of it. Just about any problem you run into, someone else has had too. If you don't already, get some car friends that are like minded. You can learn a lot just by hanging out in a friend's garage and watching.

Jump in and have fun! You will be amazed at what you can do and what you will learn to do!!!