1972 K5 4x4 modified build

[Splash4195]

WOW unreal build!

[SONOSADSACK]

WOW!

From a wanna be fabricator, how about some advice on shop equipment? What bender are you using? What are you using for making dimples? Etc. I need to start building a better shop and any advice would be much appreciated. I have zero for fabrication tools and my next project is going to be very similar to what you have created. Knowing what equipment is required up front would be great.

[notsolo]

Nicest Mad Max build Yet ! ( if Mad Max had an HVLP gun and some color paint ) Paint turned out Excellent. Fab skills set a new bench mark, Total package. 10 out of 10. You now have to change your SPID tag to say Extra Heavy Everything.

[67Steven]

Originally Posted by SONOSADSACK

WOW!

From a wanna be fabricator, how about some advice on shop equipment? What bender are you using? What are you using for making dimples? Etc. I need to start building a better shop and any advice would be much appreciated. I have zero for fabrication tools and my next project is going to be very similar to what you have created. Knowing what equipment is required up front would be great.

Sure, here you go. If you need more info just holler:

For the standard stuff I use a Miller 210 MIG welder and I try to use a DX200 water cooled TIG. I have a ESAB plasma cutter and a Delta Drill press, along with a 13x40 lathe and 20 ton press. A few angle grinders and drills, etc.

For a bender I use the JD2 Model 3 bender with 270* dies from 3/4"-2" in size: https://www.jd2.com/p-32-model-3-bender.aspx
I added a air/hydraulic ram to bend the big tube, but you can bend up to 1" easily by hand. I built my own, but you can get this unit: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SWAG-Tubing-...item3f2afa9fb8.

I use these style of dimple dies. They allow you to use them anywhere in addition to a press: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SWAG-Off-Roa...item3f2dd228d1 I also have a 3" unit which is kinda spendy.

SWAG (dimple die guy above) also has a bandsaw stand and plate that I copied and I use it daily. It uses a Milwaukie Port-a-band and makes it a table top bandsaw. http://www.ebay.com/itm/SWAG-V4-0-Po...item3f2bac5c3b

These jewels are indispensable in my opinion: Greenlee DTAPKITM M3-M10 6-Piece Combination...And add the 5/16" and 3/8" drill taps. I use these to make new and clean out old threads. Buy extras of the ones you use most, and pre-drill with the right size bit before using.

That's about it, really. If you want to know something specific, let me know.

[67Steven]

I am overwhelmed by the compliments, thanks so much. I got a lot out of this site, so I posted not only to have a record of my build, but to help out others or give an idea or two.

I hope someone does copy, it's the sincerest form of flattery, after all.

[mud.man.rj]

So what do you do for a career, build trucks, seems like it with yours, should I drop mine off for a bit of cool fab work. OK to far away. You do have a lot of good ideas to twist to something else, thats what i look for on this site, inspiration, things to sleep on..then build. So thanks.
Mudman.

[notsolo]

I would like to know more about the paint? what brand paint and clear how much did you cut and buff. Also home made paint booth did you blow air in or use exhaust fans...Great photo's also...Thanks.

[67Steven]

Originally Posted by notsolo

I would like to know more about the paint? what brand paint and clear how much did you cut and buff. Also home made paint booth did you blow air in or use exhaust fans...Great photo's also...Thanks.

Well, the paint is a single stage urethane PPG mix. I wanted single stage for ease of ding and scratch touch-up, but really the two stage would have been easier to spray, and I really wish I had gone that route.

I used the shop as a paint booth, with a few added halogen light stands- you can't have too much light! I hung plastic around the perimeter and heavy visqueen on the floor. I can't remember who, but someone on this board built 2x2 frames with plastic sheeting- that would be an excellent idea and quite frankly worth the time if you are using it more than once. 4 box fans with filters in front of them became the extraction air movers and a filtered opening at the other end let pressure equalize.

I hung all the small parts on gantry style racks so I could roll them out of the way after painting. The tub was on a rotisserie so I could roll it out of the way and rotate it to spray every spot. These two things let me have a big work area in a smaller space.

It worked well, I do have some dust nibs, but I am not complaining. The two stage would have been a better choice, as you can clean up the nibs before clear and of course cut and buff them out after clear.

[67Steven]

Originally Posted by mud.man.rj

So what do you do for a career, build trucks, seems like it with yours, should I drop mine off for a bit of cool fab work. OK to far away. You do have a lot of good ideas to twist to something else, thats what i look for on this site, inspiration, things to sleep on..then build. So thanks.
Mudman.

This was my first real build like this, and although I loved doing the work, and I'd love to pursue a career of auto building, I think I am stuck in construction.