Flop Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 (edited) Hey guys new to posting to the AACA. i am 26 years old from Pittsburgh PA.This was a customers car. He wants it all stock. Just figured you guys would enjoy some sheetmetal work and the fiasco of new patch panels that i am going through. All the sheetmetal work is tig welded and as close to metal finished as possible. needs typical patch panels but man is this car solid messneeds some sub frame workgotta fix this hole.seems like it was made with a chiseltight gaps are important with a tig weldersee what i mean by tight?! see that little slitthis is gonna be a pain !!!the ol tape and bondo trickfilling some random holessome holes in the visorsome kinda mess from ages ago.... Edited September 7, 2011 by Flop (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 NICE work!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 Thanks Keiser!and we are finished up with the roof.my guess was an antenna?more random taped up holes i found.some more damagea few marks left from the stud gunthese are gonna be no fun. body line doesnt match to save its life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unimogjohn Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Most excellent work! Thanks for all the pics. Keep us posted for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 thanks Johnheres another poorly made non fitting heater hole patch panel.the mess im working withfitnotice the extra 1/8 inch of beadthe blue line is how wide it should be.i hammered the hell outa the area on the other side of the blue line to flatten it out so the beads matchedthe bottom piece was really no fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 continuing the firewall heater holenext im onto the patch panels... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Flop,It's a privilege to watch an artist at work. With your level of expertise why bother with crappy patch panels? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 Tex i dont have a die that big for my bead roller so we opted to modify the patchwheel well time. customer decided to put the patch panels we had in for the wheel wells. we had a big debate with all the model a supply house who has the best wheel well patches. these were from snyders in ohio and found out brookville supplies all of these patches. the body lines are no where close to stock but this isnt a points restoration. just a real nice driver.trim trim trimmess mess messsubframe cracked and thincut it out!patch got a nice tight fitwelded up didnt get a pic of the bottom trimmed downdoneeeeonto the wheel well next Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 wheel well patch sittin in placesome primer on the subframe and some weld-through primer on the lower part of the patch because i dont know if the patch gets spot welded to the subframe once ya wrap it around or not.tacked in .i usually dont work with that many tacks but for this one it seemed impossible not to. there were alot of variations in where the patch panel wanted to sit and where the og wheel well was so a ton of tacks it wasfinished up!another view Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 26 years old?? I have seen men that have been DOING this work for 26 years that are not as good!! Keep up the GOOD work. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Landman Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 Flop, I don't know how long you've been in business at 26 but one thing I can tell you, as people see this incredible work they'll soon be knocking on your door by the dozens. I am truly impressed! Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 (edited) thanks Ben .thanks Pat. been doing this about 3 years now finally starting to get the word of mouth out about the shop. its a one man show so i can only do so much . but in time i think it will grow! some of the work isnt up the AACAs alley but this was and i figured you guys would like to check out the metal work on the Model A.Next sidemore subframe rusty-nessnew piece of subframe with some shrinker stretcher action to mimic the stock piecesitting in placefinished up the sub-frame welded up and primed. it was a fun piece to make with the curve in itthis quarter was pretty tweaked. Hard to see if the pic it took a good hit at one pointfile hammer repeat to infinitycame out pretty nice the body line still need workthe quality of the panels hahahahand we are tacked in Edited September 8, 2011 by Flop (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 for some reason i cant find the pic of the finished passenger wheel wellbut on to the decklidsomeone had a dance on this thing!!most of this was stud gun work mostly all the dents were behind braces. and some shrinking hammer here and thereabout half way throughits not 100 percent metal finished but its pretty damn nice in my book Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 got the patch panels from macs . JUNK! same as the other ones just on a better piece of metal.so it needed more subframe work nothing fancy or pretty here heres the og piece of body line i have to re weld in after fixing the subframe.gonna keep as much of this around as possible because aparently it is impossible to remake on a patch panel . im making my own panels now. so far i have a much nicer start then what i got as a patch panel. i used a piece of 20 guage for the first run just to see what i could make it do and i like the results. switich to 18 gauge for the final product. i used my beefed up harbor freight bead roller some and conduit to get the crown. wish i woulda started working on these in the begining of the day instead of messing with the patch panels.i made this up in about 20 mins and quite happy once i get the hard line from the step die out i think ill be good to goyou can see i started to get the hard line out on the edge. pretty excited about this!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 stock .mine.repop panelalllll taacked in finally!!!gotta do the front edge over since i couldnt make a nice break because of the bottom bead.when i made the patch panel there was no way i could use the sheetmetal break to get a clean edge because of the body line at the bottom so i had to cut the edge off and replace it with a piece i made on the break.tacked inwhere a stud gun really come in handy. metal brace and wood in the way . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Durant Mike Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Great metal work! You have a lot of natural talent and will go far in the body/restoration business if you want to. There is always a place for good metal work. Too many body shops are strictly pull and replace and can't do the work your doing. Keep the pictures coming we like to see the work progress on the project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
30 Hupp Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 Flop, I don't know how long you've been in business at 26 but one thing I can tell you, as people see this incredible work they'll soon be knocking on your door by the dozens. I am truly impressed! PatI agree! I only wish you were closer!Dale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dictator27 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Wow! I wish I had one tenth of your talent and patience.Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 I can't even light a candle to the quality and craftsmanship of your work in the photos and I "learned" to weld before you were born. I just never practiced what I learned. I repaired a few cracks in the sheet metal on my garden tractor today and it turned out like crap.Keep up the fantastic work. You're an artist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Corvanti Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 all i can say is: WOW!!!a master at work... BTW: you're linked up to the Studebaker Drivers Club forum. Some folks will want your phone number very soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 thanks 30hupp!! thanks durrant! you are right about the body shops now a days seems like most cave and pave and dont fix the metal.thanks dictator. alot of patience and knowing why the metal is doing what its doing and alot of knowing when to walk away when you are frustrated and starting again in the morning. you really cant rush welding thanks bleach!! i taught myself mig when i was around 15 and got into tig about a year and a half ago .but what an amazing weld tig is on sheetmetal compared to the mig .thanks corvanti i appreciate the link!!heres the last of the body just about finished up with the body today besides bending the edges over the subframe on the new patches.the passenger quarter was the last piece.really solid but the break where it wrapped under neath was gonemade a new piece for itcouldnt figure out how to make it in one long piece so 2 pieces it wasjust about done except for the edge it still needs some more smoothing where it wraps into the wheel welland we are just about done with the body!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 heres the dash extra holes in the dash that gotta disappear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl B. Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Flop, could you post a phone number here, or send it to me on private message... I have a friend in Pittsburgh who wants to talk to you about doing some work.. thanks, B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted September 15, 2011 Author Share Posted September 15, 2011 thank "B" picked up the 32 Packard fenders from Ron yesterday and a windshield frame!i did this car last winter hence the snowof course it went to the sandblaster on the snowiest day of the yearand this is what it looked like when it came back and headed back to its ownerthis is just in epoxy primer no body fillerhere is a short video of the car on youtube as well bunch of fenders next! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted September 15, 2011 Author Share Posted September 15, 2011 i didnt like the patch that was in there so i put a new one inabout 3 more inches to gobroken motor mount Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 YOU, sir, are an artist!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted October 1, 2011 Author Share Posted October 1, 2011 thanks keiser!heres some more model a workbroken motor mount. guess 80 or so yeras of service took its toll.new pan had to be put in since the old one has seen better days45 spot welds later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom M Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Wow what amazing talent you have there nice work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Very Very IMPRESSIVE work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Dave Boyer Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Thanks for posting the pic's! I really enjoyed them. I've been working away on one my cars for over a year now, I enjoy doing it. I'm no where nearly as skilled at it, as you are. But it make me feel good, to find out we have the same highly modified bead roller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted October 20, 2011 Author Share Posted October 20, 2011 thanks alot guys!!heres some more pics to give you some tips .i found with model a patch panels they are easier to make myself then mess around with the pure garbage that is out there for these cars.some work i am doing on a 30 roadsterheres the start! dug inot the driver side cowl today found a mix of cement and some red oxide filler of sortscut out the mess and found a solid area to work with welded up the inner piece and seam sealed it up i made the body line on the harbor freight bead roller with the step die and some work to give it crown . way easier to make your own in my opinion then mess with patch panels finished up this crack is really throwing the alignment of the door off on the bottom. its on the top rail you could say on the quarter panelcrack open craack closed.makes the door fit waaaay tighter to the body ground a bunch more useless red oxide out of the door now its loking like a nice solid start! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted October 20, 2011 Author Share Posted October 20, 2011 figured out why the door was hangin out at the bottomall welded upsome filler. but i would much rather have some well used filler then rust half finished ...the rest of the filler.gonna have to pull the door to get around the hinges and pull the lock assembly to get around the handle holethe next mess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexRiv_63 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Great metal work! What's happening with the Cadillac in the background? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luv2Wrench Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Very, very helpful pictures and information. Please continue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willys77 Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 My vocabulary fails me big time!!!!!!! I have some fenders you need to work on ~ you are just probably not aware of that fact, yet. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted October 25, 2011 Author Share Posted October 25, 2011 tex riv .custom work is being done to the caddy for a customer.will do wrench!hahahah send me a message willys we can talkonto the passenger sidethis side is way more solid in the subrail deptsome cement and red oxide type fillersandblasted primed and seamsealed the few pin holes i welded upbegining of the patchafter the steptacked infinished up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Westerly Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 Looks like the 31 Coupe I have, except mine is gone from the floor, and subrails up about 4", including the rear below the trunk lid. The rest is pretty solid. I am looking for a body assembly guide, w/pictures of the complete floor pan, subrail attachment, etc. I have no references to go by concerning how the floor looks, or attaches to the rear of the car or sides. Any help would be appreciated. I'm new to these forums and I don't really know how they work, but I am used to email replies.I am also looking for sources for new subrails, floor pan assemblies, and rear body pieces below the trunk lid.Any help in my project would be appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gfw2 Posted March 3, 2012 Share Posted March 3, 2012 Damn that's some nice work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flop Posted March 22, 2012 Author Share Posted March 22, 2012 thanks everyone!heres some more work on a deluxe phaeton !!some extra holes in the firewall!!smoothed out firewall from the back smoothed out pan i fixed up sitting in placea side shot heres a truck of daves as of wellheres the phaeton in primerhere is daves 24000 orig mile coupe. it has 28000 on it now .original paint on the body .fenders and aprons have been repainted. everything else as original.aaca 1st place in 87 in the original class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mojoe59 Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 Flop, Just saw your work on the web site. Very nice is an understatement. Could you send me a phone number on pm so I can get in touch with you. I have lived in Ct for 24 years now but grew up in pittsburgh. Still home if you know what I mean. Have some cars that need your ability. I am back in town several times a year and can certainly deliver to you. Thanks, Joe S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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