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-   -   55 Wagon Progress (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=564201)

MP&C 05-27-2013 10:43 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Been a busy couple weeks working on honey do's, painted the inside of the garage so I could hang a canoe for storage, so I could paint the inside of the car trailer that it used to be stored in, so we could sell the car trailer. Late today, found a bit of time for the wagon, working on some of the plug welds for the rear valance....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture355.jpg


The ones at the bottom attach to two braces underneath, and fitted the tailgate to pull in the valance to match the bottom of the tailgate...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture358.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture359.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture360.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture361.jpg

Low Elco 05-27-2013 11:12 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Looks good! You must have a patient customer, with work that nice, I'd be losin' it to see it finished!

MP&C 06-07-2013 11:07 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
I'm ready to see it finished myself! :lol:


Worked today to finish up the weld seam on the passenger quarter panel. First, I wanted a profile template to check the crown of the panel. As the rear half of the driver's quarter was NOS, this would make a good template....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture362.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture364.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture365.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture366.jpg


Adding an alignment mark to the quarter....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture367.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture368.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture369.jpg


Using the profile template against the welded seam of the passenger side, we can see the low area along the center. This is a typical problem with using "half quarters", welding through the center of panel tends to flatten out this low crown area. A full quarter with the welded seam up top where there is a bit more crown tends to not have as much of a "flattening" effect.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture370.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture371.jpg


Finishing the welds and checking with the profile template.....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture372.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture374.jpg


Still shows some more crown needed through the middle of the panel, will do some more planishing tomorrow...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture373.jpg

nds1968 06-08-2013 11:39 AM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Nice work :metal: Thanks for sharing ;) Nate

Low Elco 06-11-2013 10:36 AM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
See, this is just the thing I gotta see... I'm fixin' to do something similiar soon. How do you planish when you have VERY limited to nothing for rear access for on-dollying? Thanks for all you show us, I gotta get a shrinker/stretcher.

FRENCHBLUE72 06-30-2013 10:08 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Awesome work for sure thanks for sharing.. I have a question on the spot weld drill bit you made? How did you make that? What do you feel the benefits of it are? So all in all I guess its a few questions.. Thanks..

MP&C 07-01-2013 01:01 AM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
I read a restoration publication quite a few years back where they did a comparative test of the long term benefits of epoxy primer and weld through primers. They concluded that epoxy offered better long term protection against rust re-occuring, and I have been using epoxy ever since. Granted, either one will give better protection than none at all, so I don't think one could find too much fault with using either.

I have been using the epoxy primer, and any panels that are overlapped, pinch welded, etc together, I like applying EP at a minimum to the areas between the panels being welded and also areas that are inaccessible later (like inside rockers). I usually will prep the outer (or more accessible for welding) panel with plug weld holes, and use a modified drill bit the same size as the plug weld holes to clean out the bottom of the hole on the adjacent panel. The modified bit is made by flattening and backfacing using a 3" roloc sander, making it look similar to a milling bit. I think I used a 120 grit disc. Because of the flat, it tends not to cut into the metal but does a good job of cleaning off the paint in prep for welding the panels together.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...ion/pic003.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...c/cb76db16.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...c/146d4d8e.jpg


I think one thing to keep in mind using either of the two primers, be sure to observe the cure time for maximum resistance to the heat from welding.

MP&C 07-14-2013 09:54 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Next on the list for the wagon, the upper gate. It has a similar stance as the lower gate when closed, and as such, water lays along the inner window frame at the bottom.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture375.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture376.jpg


Ice pick test....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture378.jpg


The lower bend is fairly flat, going to a tipped flange in the form of an arc, the inside has some compound curves going to the window opening flange...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture379.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture380.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture381.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture382.jpg


I'll get this bottom cut out next week and attempt to form it in one piece, flange to flange, for a easier job of replacing..

Low Elco 07-15-2013 12:20 AM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Can't wait!
Posted via Mobile Device

Frizzle Fry 07-15-2013 05:31 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Incredible work Robert! Would love to come watch you work, and learn more from a master. Thanks for all the detailed info. :metal:

MP&C 07-15-2013 10:08 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Thanks for the comments guys!

MP&C 07-18-2013 11:23 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Took the upper gate off tonight...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture383.jpg


My tool of choice for removing spot welds is a 3" x 1/16 cutoff wheel. I also use the premium wheels made for stainless steel. It's worth the extra money when you don't have a brown cloud in the shop, like the el cheapo wheels leave, nothing but resin wearing away.

The upper layer of metal will start to turn blue when it gets thin and hot, letting you know you're getting close to the next layer. When you have a blue circle with shiny metal in the center, you are now in the second layer, grind around the blue a bit more and pry the layers apart..


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture385.jpg


With all the spot welds removed, here's what we find inside...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture386.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture388.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture389.jpg


Note the deep pits. The big problem with just welding a hole closed is you don't know where the next pit is lurking, ready to break through your new paint.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture391.jpg


Funny, with all the rust and scale inside, then you find this area of bare steel nice and shiney..


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture387.jpg


The inside will get media blasted to insure there is no more lurking issues and then epoxy primered before re-assembly.


Here's a better look at the shape we'll need...



http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture392.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture393.jpg

MP&C 07-19-2013 09:59 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
To start the layout on the new metal, I wanted to find the center of the radius along the window opening. By holding a sanding disc on the flats and scuffing, it showed the edges of the radius...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture396.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture397.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture398.jpg


Then laid out a pattern to be able to measure from the bottom crease...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture400.jpg


....and transposed it to the new sheet...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture401.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture403.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture404.jpg


The top edge was trimmed to size and the tipping wheel used to fold over the welding flange...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture405.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture407.jpg


Comparison....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture409.jpg


The bottom was marked with the tipping wheel and folded in the apron brake. Then trimmed to size, again using the tipping wheel to fold over the welding flange...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture410.jpg


It's real close right now, just needs a bit of tweaking.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture412.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture413.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture414.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture415.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture416.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture417.jpg


This was made using 18 ga, I think if I had the factory 19 ga metal it would have formed much easier..

theastronaut 07-20-2013 12:40 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Very nice work! Love seeing these kinds of threads, you do very detailed work and the end results show it. Those beadrollers are awesome, I haven't done much with ours yet but they're well worth what they cost for the things you can do with them. Even if a patch panel was made for that section of the lift gate, your's probably fits 100 times better!

MP&C 07-20-2013 11:12 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Thanks! Actually we've had a couple repop pieces on this project that I've sent back where I didn't care for the fit or precision, and made them myself. Others parts made just plain weren't available. In either case, I've found that just cutting off the bad piece and backing yourself in a corner is a good motivator in getting something made to fit.. :lol:

FRENCHBLUE72 07-22-2013 12:52 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Some amazing work right there..

MP&C 09-18-2013 11:22 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Media blasted the inside of the upper gate to clean it up before welding the new part on. Unfortunately this revealed more in the way of pits, through holes, etc., so it now looks like more fabrication....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture419.jpg


Time to attempt some dies for the Lennox. Tonight's choice is some 1" thick phenolic sheet...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture077-2.jpg


Here's the profile we're looking for...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture079-2.jpg


The dies installed in the holders....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture080-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture081-2.jpg


An offset bend was added to the sample 19ga in the brake, then the first of three passes.....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture083-2.jpg


Final pass.....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture084-2.jpg


Dies held up well....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture085-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture087-2.jpg


Safety tip of the day, 3" roloc discs do a good job of shaping phenolic, so skin is no match.... (note thumb in above pic)



Where my "test sample" was made initially with straight bends in the brake, the actual piece on the lift gate is not straight, so the bends on the "good" piece will need to be bent using the tipping wheel.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture090-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture089-2.jpg


The profile needs just a bit of tweaking, and I may try using a piece of metal inserted in a band saw blade cut to sharpen up some of the details.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture091-2.jpg

MP&C 09-29-2013 08:48 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Hopefully this one will be a keeper...

Checked the lower profile of the upper gate with radius sweeps to lay out the new piece...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture125-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture126-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture127-2.jpg


Laying out the pattern on 19ga steel....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture128-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture129-1.jpg


Tipping wheel in the bead roller...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture130-2.jpg


......and a newly modified back stop, much better than the flat one.....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture131-2.jpg


Offset added with the tipping wheel......


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture132-2.jpg


Then run through the Lennox.....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture081-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture084-2.jpg


More tipping, then the step die used in place of skateboard wheel with the tipping wheel for the lower 1/4" fold...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture134-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture136-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture137-2.jpg


Still need to fold the top in the window opening, until next time...

MP&C 09-30-2013 10:57 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Tonight I made a small sample to test the fold of the window opening. Well actually, a few samples, as I started off by producing a small pile of scraps.....about three tries unsuccessfully, then this one, beginning with using the bead roller tipping wheel....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture139-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture140-2.jpg


This is about as far as it would go, and with the good piece already having bends at the bottom, would be a bit less once tried on that piece. This will require a custom made "anvil" for some hammer action...

The donor:


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture142-2.jpg


As modified:


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture143-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture144-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture145-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture146-2.jpg


.....then for some manual tipping...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture147-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture148-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture149-2.jpg


Comparison to the original....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture150-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture151-2.jpg


This looks close, next task will be to cut a sample out of the original and see how close we actually are...

Frizzle Fry 10-01-2013 01:43 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Incredible work Robert! It would be quite a privilege to hang out in your shop for a while. I can't get enough of that metal work.

MP&C 10-02-2013 11:51 AM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
If travel plans ever bring you out east, by all means give me a shout!

MP&C 10-10-2013 11:38 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
OK, enough of the practice pieces, time to finish the rest of the bends. Just to make sure we don't need any "tweaking", I'll cut a profile sample out of the center. This spot weld one the inner flange is far enough away so I won't need to grind out a spot weld, and still have enough of that flange for a good measurement. In other words, removed with minimal effort where it still holds it's shape accurately.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture152-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture153-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture154-2.jpg


Our profile template:


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture155-2.jpg


Just to compare to our test sample, looks like the inner flange was bent down a bit much in the manual hammering, will have to ease up a bit...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture157-2.jpg


Outside profile looks good enough to leave alone!


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture158-2.jpg


Following the measurement used on the test sample, the panel is run through the bead roller's tipping wheel nice and slow to give us an initial mark for the bend, then repeated to tip the flange downward...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture159-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture160-2.jpg


This looks about all we'll get without distorting and pulling, so then it's off to the custom anvil...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture162-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture163-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture164-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture165-2.jpg


Then for some manual tipping...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture168-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture169-2.jpg


...and comparing to our profile sample......


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture172-2.jpg


Ready to cut off the old next time...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture174-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture175-2.jpg

MP&C 10-11-2013 10:53 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Well tonight's task was to remove the bottom detail of the lift gate and sandblast the remaining structure in prep for epoxy primer. The lower edge did have a flange folded up, so a slit was cut along the edge and the door skin vise grips were put to use...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture177-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture178-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture179-2.jpg


Next, the spot welds inside were ground out.....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture180-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture182-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture183-2.jpg


Media blasting..... nice to finally see through the glass!


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture184-2.jpg


The media blasting revealed a few more holes, and numerous pits, many of them close to breaking through.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture185-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture186-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture188-2.jpg


With all the other new metal going in the bottom, there's only one thing to do. Using the tipping wheel..........


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture189-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture191-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture193-2.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture194-1.jpg


Comparing to the pitted version.....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture195-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture197-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture198-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture199-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture201-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture202-1.jpg


Next we'll need to do some corking to add the trim hole pad details.

Low Elco 10-12-2013 07:29 AM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
I'll say it again, Robert. You need to be making videos, or something. You have a knack for turning "oh hell no!" into "no big deal" and showing the rest of us frimps how that's possible. You're the reason I got up the gumption to take on the Mazda (which is almost done, BTW). Kudos to you. I gotta get a bead roller.

MP&C 10-12-2013 11:54 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Thanks, I've said before I do some of my best work after getting backed in a corner.. :lol:



Now to address the mounting pads for the window molding....


Here's the new "anvil", made from some phenolic sheet.....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture207-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture208-1.jpg


Put an alignment mark on the anvil, fitted it to the originals, and added the mark there as well. Then transposed those marks to the new piece...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture209-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture210-1.jpg


Anvil was located, and clamped in the vise to hold it's location


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture211-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture213-1.jpg


Started with the barrel end hammer.....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture216-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture217-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture218-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture219-1.jpg


For the ends, I used a rounded tip chisel....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture220-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture221-1.jpg


....and then another "anvil" to clean up the hammer marks a bit...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture222-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture223-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture224-1.jpg


Here's all the tools used....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture225-1.jpg


Touched up a bit with a sanding disc, looks close enough.... One down, 4 to go...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture226-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture228.jpg

MP&C 10-17-2013 09:11 AM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Last night I worked to finish up the pad details on the inner structure of the lift gate.... The center one was wider, so I used the same phenolic and just added a wider detail to the opposite side. I missed showing this earlier, but a handy-dandy battery saw works well to remove the bulk of the material, sawing parallel cuts and then just working the saw side to side to clear out the remaining....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture235-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture236-1.jpg


Once cut out, the sanding disc is used to cut down the angled sides and touch up the bottom..


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture237-1.jpg


This compares the two, showing the difference in width...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture238-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture239-1.jpg


Alignment marks transposed from the original, and guide marks indicate the area in need of hammering...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture242-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture243-1.jpg


I had a request to show the hammering procedure, so here's another video attempt. The first one is using the phenolic anvil clamped against the work piece in the vise, the second uses 1" square stock as an anvil to clean up the hammer marks a bit...


http://s5.photobucket.com/user/rmcca...eo232.mp4.html


http://s5.photobucket.com/user/rmcca...eo233.mp4.html


...also sounds like I have a loose hammer handle, something for another day.... ;)


Then the sanding disc was used for final cleanup. Here's the finished piece, just needs a couple holes drilled....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture245-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture246-1.jpg

MP&C 10-24-2013 10:41 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Back to the lift gate, the spot welds in the bottom piece were drilled out. This revealed a couple more pits, which were media blasted and MIG welded.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture253-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture254-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture255-1.jpg


All cleaned up, the new piece is plug welded on....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture256-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture257-1.jpg


Then the inner panel is fitted up and tacked in place....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture258-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture259-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture260-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture261-1.jpg


Top flange clamped to check the fit.....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture262-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture263-1.jpg


That's about it until next time...

hounddogs! 10-24-2013 11:23 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Artwork. I got nothing else to say.

Low Elco 10-26-2013 07:44 AM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Beautiful work! I'm surprised the "excess" out at the break of the 90 laid down into the relief as nicely as it did. I would have thought you'd have had to slit it at the corner to lay it down and then weld the seam back up. Thanks again for making the seemingly impossible look not only possible, but achievable.

67ChevyRedneck 10-26-2013 02:43 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
It's actually a shame that someone will someday look at that at a car show, and not even notice it. You should make a second one as a cutaway or something :D

MP&C 10-26-2013 05:22 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
How about we put all the rusty pieces cut out in a 5 gallon bucket and see if they can find where they came from! :)


Finishing up the welding of the inner bottom panel....used a 3/16 hole for the plug welds this time. I normally use a letter A, but the flange here is a bit narrow, so a smaller hole it is. To make up for it the heat on the welder was cranked up a bit to insure a good weld.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture265-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture266-1.jpg


Looking at the back side, these should hold well.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture267-1.jpg


All the plug welds done, then on to the corner seams.....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture272.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...Picture273.jpg


and after cleaning up the welds.....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture275-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture277-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture278-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture279-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture280-1.jpg


Then we'll clean up the plug welds on the flange, media blast the inside for good paint adhesion and some epoxy primer before closing it up..

Sillyoldman 10-26-2013 05:51 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Fascinating

BC Toy chest 10-30-2013 05:25 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
WOW!! Awesome work.

Bishops Trucks 11-01-2013 07:34 AM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Great job. A true master at his craft.

MP&C 11-01-2013 10:53 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Thanks for the comments fellas!

Didn't get much accomplished tonight but grinding on some plug welds.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture282-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture283-1.jpg


I've had a few inquiries in the past as to my weld grinding process, so I thought I'd use the opportunity for another video.....


http://s5.photobucket.com/user/rmcca...welds.mp4.html




.

BlueJeep 11-02-2013 09:53 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Thanks for the video. What grit do you like on the roloc discs?

Something I do with mine is buy 3" discs and run them on a 3" arbor, then when they don't cut so well anymore I put them on a 2" arbor and while running the die grinder hit the edge with a cutting disc perpendicular to "shave" them down to about 2". Then I use them some more and repeat the process with a 1" arbor. That way I can finally feel good about throwing them away!

MP&C 11-02-2013 11:10 PM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
I was using 80 grit there. I've tried 60 and 120...... 60 seems to leave too deep of scratches, 120 seems too fine/slow at acting. 80 is a happy medium. I don't change arbors, but my 3" arbor is actually about 1/4" shy, so when the outer edge loses its bite I will cut around the perimeter up to the backing using a pair of tin snips to get a bit more life out of them.

MP&C 11-03-2013 12:10 AM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Tonights repair was to duplicate one of these mounting blocks for the lift gate's gas strut.

The good one...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture285-1.jpg


...not so good...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture286-1.jpg


Used a hole saw to provide some radiused ends and the 3" cutoff wheel to cut out all the torn and ragged metal..


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture287-1.jpg


A piece of 19ga is tacked and welded....note the original color....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture289-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture290-1.jpg


Cut out a piece from a steel angle, drilled and tapped the three 10-24 holes. This was bolted in place using anti-seize on the screw threads to prevent galling during the weld process.. then plug weld holes drilled and welded from the outside..


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture292-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture293-1.jpg


Plug welds cleaned up, checking the threads for burrs...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture294-1.jpg


And for next time, we have one more piece to add while the bottom is still open, the floating nut plate for the tailgate latch....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture297-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture296-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture295-1.jpg

MP&C 11-08-2013 12:13 AM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Moving on to the next task, removing the "cage nut" from the old piece...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture299-1.jpg


This was a good opportunity to demonstrate using the cutoff wheel for removing spot welds...


http://s5.photobucket.com/user/rmcca...Welds.mp4.html


Here's the cage removed, the spot weld removal method leaves it nice and intact for getting good measurements for the new one...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture300-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture301-1.jpg


A fresh piece of 18ga and some red Dykem, and our new cage is underway....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture305-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture313-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture314-1.jpg


Slots....


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture315-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture316-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture317-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture319-1.jpg


All ready for some media blasting and epoxy paint...

MP&C 11-09-2013 12:04 AM

Re: 55 Wagon Progress
 
Tonight I trimmed the lower edge of the lift gate to get the final repair part fitted up.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture320-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture321-1.jpg


Once both ends of the lift gate were trimmed, looking at the surface profile you can see we need a bit more crown at the ends of the repair part.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture322-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture323-1.jpg


To add some crown, the lower flanges on the ends were folded flat and used the Erco to shrink the bottom flange.


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture324-1.jpg


The multiple bends toward the top were another story, a 1/4 beading die lightly pushing into a skateboard wheel, and the ends were pushed in and pulled up while exiting. Here's the results...


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture325-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture326-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture327-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture328-1.jpg


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture329-1.jpg


Oh yeah.....you can see the top of the welding table again! :D


http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y16...cture330-1.jpg


Next task on the list will be to form/fold the ends..


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