Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Because this fender is so much better, I'm just patching the defects. Notice the square tube brace to try and keep the fender from changing shape (I learned from the last one). Two spots patched (silver paint), the biggie in the corner next. I hammered the rust away with a needle-scaler attachment on my air hammer. All the rust came out of everywhere, and opened some holes. I'm trying to do -something- every day instead of saving it all for a time-spartan weekend.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...31-672x504.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Piece by piece: the reinforcement is repaired:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...56-672x504.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Nice work...enjoying your YouTube vids........

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Today was physio (and I can barely tie my own shoes after physio), so I merely cut out the top part of the patch:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...6s-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Then the following day I welded in the patch, and then patched the next inner-panel hole and made the top patch for it. It seems I missed a mounting hole - I'll locate it using the existing bed holes.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...03-672x504.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Looks like it never even rusted out :metal:

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

And the next day final welding of the last patch, and now it's off to pound dents.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...06-672x504.jpg

Plus, I picked up some pipe to make myself a Pipe Anvil, something I wish I had when I built the Lethal Locost and the Fiendish Firefly. Video on the fabrication to come.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...30-672x504.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I haven't looked in for while so I got caught up on your build. You are doing some real nice rust repair. You've got some skills and you're not afraid to use them.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Thanks!

I'm really just cheap, stubborn, fiercely independent, but mostly cheap.

"Skill Acquisition" and "Skill Mastery" are important to me. I'm getting there.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Pipe anvil made:

I wish I had one of these five project cars ago.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...6s-672x504.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Coming home from work I was inspired to get some more done on the fenders. Blasted specific areas of repair, and cut out some more rust in anticipation of patches.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...18-672x504.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Not come across one of these before. How does it work, or rather how do you use it?

EDIT. YouTube is your friend....

P. :D

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Funny you should mention youtube....

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Will be making a small version of this in the near future!

P. :D

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I was going to put wheels on one end so it's easy to move around, but through a comedy of measurement that didn't happen. I may still do it, though.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Three patches here. Left side inner and outer, leading edge inner, and right side inner and outer. There was some bubblies in there that the blaster couldn't get at, but the needle-scaler attachment on the air hammer took care of that AND created some holes. Combination of MIG and TIG. Shrinking disc took care of oil canning nicely. Now to pound out all the dents in this fender.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...05-672x504.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

that is really awesome job!!

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Mostly yard work today, and trying to chase down a decent used mower.

I did get the passenger fender flange components sprayed in epoxy in anticipation of welding together. That's about it.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Picked a nice mower from a guy who fixes them up and sells them out of his home. He took my knackered one in for a bit of a trade-in.

Mowed the lawn, of course, just to make sure it worked.

Pretty much finished pounding all the dents out of the driver's fender. Not "zero-filler" perfect, but certainly "wee-skim-of-filler" or "thick coat of high-build" good.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...52-672x504.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

When you get down to the final few low spots that need to come out, you'll wish you had one of these. Took me an hour and a half to make.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...ck-672x504.png

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Used the bullseye pick today. Sweet tool. Y'all should build one. So much easier than blind braille and trying to hit the right place that you can't see.

With that, the driver's fender is ready for blast and primer. I'll peck the passenger fender tomorrow, after I weld the flange reinforcement on. Then that fender will be done.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Not sure what I like more on your thread Skinny, the body work or the tools!

P. :D

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Another patch I neglected to do, now done:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...58-672x504.jpg

Flange reinforcement now added to passenger side fender, plus relocated rear support rod mount (tab at rear - support was hitting tire at full drop):

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...44-672x504.jpg

Used to be where I'm pointing at. Will need to lengthen the support rod a couple inches.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...34-672x504.jpg

Driver's side support mount moved as well:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...23-672x504.jpg

About as good as my patience will allow:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...10-672x504.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Bed sides.

There is quite a bit of corrosion where the fenders mounted (and subsequently rusted the fender flanges). I'm curious if the bed was assembled bare and then primed and painted, or primed first. Nevertheless, they will be epoxy primed at a minimum when I'm done.

Left side with no patches:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...49-672x504.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...29-672x504.jpg

Right side with patches, all TIG welded so as to be very malleable:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...09-672x504.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...58-672x504.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...51-672x504.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Seems like you are in the same place i have been, should I prime and paint the cab then set it on the frame and start assembly. Well honestly this can be done, BUT with inevitable "Oppsy" when trying to fit the fenders and doors and so on. I know the best way is to get everything close to final fit on the cab, set it on the frame, retest fit the doors then test fit the fenders, hood and such and get everything close and ready for final THEN paint.... this is not what i want to do, but I know it is the best. So, honestly, for you, I hate to say it but i would test fit everything first, get it ready, then dis-assemble and then paint. I am guessing this is not exactly what you want to hear and it will not be the fastest by any means, but i think in the end you will be happier. Either way, great job so far!!

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Latest Video!

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

And for a little break, I CNC Plasma-cut a gauge mount for the air ride. I -think- I'd like to mount it here, but I will likely finish the edge such that I don't sever my leg in a collision.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...35-672x504.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I don't guess they'd fit behind that ash tray lid, huh?

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I looked at the ashtray deal - I honestly prefer them there. It looks like I could fit them if I gut the slider thingies behind the dash and fabricate some sort of mount. I'll try and find the ashtray door in my boxes and see what I can do.

Both sides are patched. Now to make them flat.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...29-672x504.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...55-672x504.jpg

Also fabricated an adapter to use the air brush I bought in about 1981 so SkinnyKid1 could do this:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...35-672x504.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...42-672x504.jpg

I wasn't sure what this is - must be some kind of trailer brake balance adjuster?

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...47-672x504.jpg

Then I was starting to get O Hungry and irritable, so I came in for some tea.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I know a guy who said that as he was looking at a V8 engine and a Pontiac Firefly.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

I should meet this guy....

Ok, ok....

On one hand I'm a little lazy and I want the easy option.

On the other hand, I don't want to ruin the originality of the truck.

On both hands, I don't even know what that last sentence means.

I'm formulating a plan.

In other fitment ideas, I originally intended to fit air tanks inside the backs of the stepside fenders, figured I could mount two three-gallon tanks in there.

Road grime concerns me with the longevity of the tanks there, but as it turns out, the five-gallon tank that came with my kit should fit just fine against the driver's rear X-brace leg, beside the driveshaft.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Which kit is this?

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

It's the Revell '65 C10 stepside truck, with the AMT '60 Apache fleetside bed.

I bought both kits to build a '60 step side into what my '61 will be. My kid is building with the cast-offs.

Helped a buddy repair his tire machine, then tried pounding the bed sides straighter, then decided to blast.

Half hour of blasting:

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...20-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

As an in-between, I drew up a brake caliper adapter for the back axle. This is v2, because apparently I can't measure.

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...v2-672x545.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Did not do any blasting yesterday, as it was stricken with "too dang hot outside." Last week it was two jackets to drive the 7 to work, yesterday was "I wish I had shorts."

I -did-, however, get 45 minutes of blasting done today, but I think I was heading to heatstroke. My heart was absolutely pounding while I blasted (could hear it with my ear plugs in), and was absolutely wiped. Came in for a shower and tried not to just curl up on the floor and sleep.

Maybe I'll do a bit less of it tomorrow.

About 15 minutes of blasting on the outside of one bed side.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Met with the window folks to get a quote for replacing windows in our house. Wow. THAT is pricey.

Welded brackets onto a buddy's bumper bar to mount a splitter.

Trial fitted V.4 of the disc brake adapter. Fits REALLY well, and now just needs final welding (no, the vice grips are not staying):

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...02-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...21-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...14-672x378.jpg

https://www.gwellwood.com/wordpress/...29-672x378.jpg

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

LS1 style disc set-up w/the shoe in hat e-brake?

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Z/28 calipers which operate the e-brake with the caliper.

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Re: SkinnyG's '61 Apache
 

Looking @ the caliper made me think 'caliper actuated e-brake' but I knew it didn't look like the traditional/common aftermarket street-rod Cadillac variety.