Please allow me to introduce myself

[Enzojones]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

Welcome! Nice project start.

My neighbor has this sweet chop-top '59 big back window. If you have questions he likes to talk about the chop and the fun he had with the glass (multiples). I'd be happy to ask him about specifics or take some close-up pics.

Damn ! That is a sweeta@# ride . I think I have seen a pic or two of this one , unless there is another one with the ends of the torpedoes inverted like that . I am definitely interested in any information that your neighbor has available . My buddy has a '59 Apache BW Fleetside that we are probably gonna be trying to paint here soon .

[MARTINSR]

I am chopping my 48 right now and even the little quarter windows have gotten a template so I can properly cut modify the roof.







It's always easier to make templates! I don't care what you are making, patch panels, an engine mount, it's always good time spent on patterns and templates.

Brian

[Enzojones]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

I am chopping my 48 right now and even the little quarter windows have gotten a template so I can properly cut modify the roof.







It's always easier to make templates! I don't care what you are making, patch panels, an engine mount, it's always good time spent on patterns and templates.

Brian

Good info , thank you sir . I will be looking for that build thread later . But for meow , I must go . It is time to go spend some time with my son . I will see you guys later .

Pete

[Speedbumpauto]

"LOL, I had a very inexperienced glass guy break THREE windshields too! Before I talked to someone who explained about the "hole" not being right and needing modification. "

Funny! That's what the glass guy said to me after two windshields and the start of possibly my worst build week ever. I went to the metal man and told him. He said, "no way, I took that into consideration." In this town, all the rodders know all the rodders and they knew each other so I asked the metal guy to meet with the glass guy and explain it all. The next windshield worked. In hindsight, if I EVER did it again, I'd get the "look" I want tacked together as I consider that the most important, let the glass guy do his best and modify slightly as needed. I'll never forget that week......thousands and thousands of dollars and time in and a guy says "you gotta do it over." Here's a pic for ideas for Enzojones if he chooses to go that way.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

It's always easier to make templates! I don't care what you are making, patch panels, an engine mount, it's always good time spent on patterns and templates.
Brian

Amen to that. For those that have not seen them, Brian has a great series of bodywork related tech articles. I got bits and pieces off of chevelles.com and the sister camaro site. Brian, do you have a link to them all in one place? I know they have been a great help to me.

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Amen to that. For those that have not seen them, Brian has a great series of bodywork related tech articles. I got bits and pieces off of chevelles.com and the sister camaro site. Brian, do you have a link to them all in one place? I know they have been a great help to me.

LOL, it was the first curved glass chop I had done and I learned a LOT.

I gave a fixed bid on the job and by the time I was done I made about $300, no kidding. I made this plaque and hung it in my office so I could look at it and say NO to the next one that came in.



I feel differently now, that plaque hangs in my garage at home where I am not relying on making money from doing this stuff, I am just having fun and loosing myself in it each day when I come home from work.

As for all the "Basics of Basics", there isn't one place for them, but here are a few that have been saved.

http://www.autobodystore.com/martinsr.shtml

http://www.autobody101.com/content/a...ics-of-basics/

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=74560

I don't write as many as I did which is a shame being the first ones didn't even have photos being I didn't have a digital camera. But I like to write them when the stuff is fresh in my mind and I can put the tool in the readers hands. These days I am not working on the cars everyday.

Thanks for the kind words.

Brian

[G&R's57GMC]

Another way to get the chopped top without cutting the windshield is to sink the lower portion of the windshield into the cowl , thus hiding the wipers .

Its a lot of metal work but no curved glass has to be cut if you use a small rear window cab.

The door and rear glass would be custom but thats easy with flat glass.

[Enzojones]

Originally Posted by Speedbumpauto

"LOL, I had a very inexperienced glass guy break THREE windshields too! Before I talked to someone who explained about the "hole" not being right and needing modification. "

Funny! That's what the glass guy said to me after two windshields and the start of possibly my worst build week ever. I went to the metal man and told him. He said, "no way, I took that into consideration." In this town, all the rodders know all the rodders and they knew each other so I asked the metal guy to meet with the glass guy and explain it all. The next windshield worked. In hindsight, if I EVER did it again, I'd get the "look" I want tacked together as I consider that the most important, let the glass guy do his best and modify slightly as needed. I'll never forget that week......thousands and thousands of dollars and time in and a guy says "you gotta do it over." Here's a pic for ideas for Enzojones if he chooses to go that way.

Is this the one Ogre was referring to ? It is a sweet truck . I hope I can make mine that nice .

[Enzojones]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

LOL, it was the first curved glass chop I had done and I learned a LOT.

I gave a fixed bid on the job and by the time I was done I made about $300, no kidding. I made this plaque and hung it in my office so I could look at it and say NO to the next one that came in.



I feel differently now, that plaque hangs in my garage at home where I am not relying on making money from doing this stuff, I am just having fun and loosing myself in it each day when I come home from work.

As for all the "Basics of Basics", there isn't one place for them, but here are a few that have been saved.

http://www.autobodystore.com/martinsr.shtml

http://www.autobody101.com/content/a...ics-of-basics/

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=74560

I don't write as many as I did which is a shame being the first ones didn't even have photos being I didn't have a digital camera. But I like to write them when the stuff is fresh in my mind and I can put the tool in the readers hands. These days I am not working on the cars everyday.

Thanks for the kind words.

Brian

Thanks for the links Brian . I will give those a read tonight .