Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Just discovered the 3" 36 grit at the new fab gig. My 11" spool of .023 ez grind is showing up today from weldingsupply.com . Good site with no hassle. If you haven't tried ez, as much as you do, GET SOME, SIR! It is the BOMB for butt welding sheet panels. Shmoove like buttah.

Hoping to start another thread, have a Duster coming for floors and trunk and quarters, etc.

You and MP&C are an inspiration. Keep it up.

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Yeah, it'll be fixed properly this time! :lol:



Appreciate it! I'm using regular ER70S-6 now, been wanting to try -7 like MP&C posted about.

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Built the passenger side inner A-pillar bottom today. Started by making a tape template, and fineline tape to cleanly mark the center edges where the new pieces will be welded.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...6EB4B3DE98.jpg


Cut out new pieces from 16 gauge steel.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psg1zgwps7.jpg


Shaped.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psrxtlzczt.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psooeg8xmk.jpg


Two halves welded, and started smoothing the welds with a cutoff wheel.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pslgusf14l.jpg



Welds smoothed with a cutoff wheel, then 36 grit.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psucje8cal.jpg


Final smoothing with 80 grit on the 3" grinder, then 60 grit on a 3" DA sander. Corners of the opening were squared up with a file.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psc68ft8xt.jpg


And finished.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psk3kxaumi.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pst1rnktet.jpg

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

I know you get tired of hearing it but this build is just AMAZING .

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

First place I check for updates when I log in, as always very interesting.

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Nice work!

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

As usual, I'm simply amazed by your craftsmanship

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Appreciate it dudes!!


Started on getting the passenger side inner rocker in the proper location, and the inner A-pillar located.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pso4yppxwn.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psfyqmmlz9.jpg


Made templates for the rear fenderwell brace. I'll get them cut out and welded up after lunch.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psy12ldntm.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psi8wfbwkn.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pskuojkrxf.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9yqzjt1b.jpg

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Ya know i see the rusty pieces you cut out and i cant even make out some of the detail and you turn around and reproduce it. I really got to find the time to read your other threads!

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Really impressed, owner picked the right man for a tough job!

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Many of the pieces are missing sections, or they've been patched so badly that I'm only guessing as to how they originally looked and fit. Having the pictures of another car really helps in those areas.


Thanks!!



The rear fenderwell brace is finished. Made the edges fit together evenly, tacked it to hold the pieces in alignment, then welded it fully.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psbnbbycop.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psjccd0tss.jpg


After smoothing the welds.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psku6jwqfd.jpg

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Looking good John!

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Awesome Possum! Really nice stuff!

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Nice detail work on the fende brace. Precise! I usually end up with gaps big enough to throw a cat through and have to start over.

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Thanks dudes!!


Started on the A-pillar cover, needs final trimming and matching the hole sizes still.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pshuwvqlj9.jpg


Also started on the B-pillar bottom.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps62kk7ppk.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psl1ttafd9.jpg



I half-rounded the mating edges on both pieces and ground the edges for a tight gap. Then did a few tacks to keep it in alignment.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pss00epqut.jpg


Inside view.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psttkrmk1v.jpg


Instead of doing a tack at a time I did a series of tacks in a row, only slightly letting off the trigger between tacks and overlapping. Seemed to make a slightly shorter weld bead and good penetration.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psy2z9ccc6.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pswsm7mbjq.jpg


After smoothing the welds.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psnb9zgxey.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1lvklbv5.jpg

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

I've done the pop-pop-pop-pop tack thing, works killer if you're not like me. I seem to enjoy seeing how far I can take it, till the red spot goes "poof!" What's your trick for tipping your corner edges over? Table edge? Pliers?

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Nice work as always ,can you give a a full shot of the car again to see where its at ? Love your attention to detail .

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

I like doing a series of tacks like that if its on something that won't warp easily.

Nothing special on tipping the edge, just a few different hammers and a block of steel that's older than I am. I ground each edge with a different radius, and rounded one of the corners.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...6FE748A722.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...7C348276A7.jpg


Thanks flashed, here are a couple pics.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...B8B0F3952E.jpg

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...FEA5C66692.jpg

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

I dunno... needs more reinforcement.

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Thanks for the pics ,it shows all your hard work and skills ,staying tuned .

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

I've already cut some out! It's more fun with it in anyways, watching customers in the shop try to figure out what it is.



Thanks flashed!

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Roughed in the rockers, used the bead roller to make the curved 90* edges first. I need to smooth the sharp edges on the dies, they leave marks in the metal that I dont' like. It also distorts the edge some, requiring some time on the shrinker/stretcher to make the edge straight again.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps957d99ds.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3s7ogaqq.jpg


Halves matched up and clamped in place.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4pi8bzbj.jpg



Tacked together, then the seam was lightly planninshed on a T-post dolly to true the edges.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2tirdhpx.jpg


Fully welded/smoothed.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...ps44ekjqkv.jpg

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Super clean work, never disappointing.

Dig the extended vise grip too.

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Beautiful work John!

Re: 1940 Packard 120 Convertible Restoration
 

Thanks!!


I reworked the front of the rocker to fit the A-pillar this morning.

Initial fit:

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pskummxioi.jpg


Scribed, and trimmed to fit the shape of the hinge pillar.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psxobogwce.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psrnslvn7f.jpg


Making paper templates.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psri0ay0nh.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pshtvfc5kq.jpg


New rocker end fabbed.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psm0rci7hl.jpg


Fit, welded, and smoothed.

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pshmpvp9rh.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...pshsgnkc6m.jpg

http://i1315.photobucket.com/albums/...psodv87xgo.jpg