1959 T-Bird Build

[keith]

A little update. Seems like alot going on , mowing grass house work,etc.. Not getting alot of time to work on the bird.

I got another bead cleaned up. I was going to weld it in tonight but man , it is over a 100 degree's in the shop. Will wait for another time.

[keith]

This weekend I worked on the new version of the a-arm opening.

Before.

[keith]

Here's the after.

The first picture is of the piece after it's cut out and flat. While it's flat the body line design is put in it with a bead roller.

The next pictures are of it shaped and vise gripped in place to get a look at.

Still real hot here. Hopefully mid week a cool front is coming in and will crawl inside the engine bay and start welding things up.

[Guest]

Those look great ...

Keith. I know it's probably on your list, but make sure to smooth out those rough edges and sharp points before paint. Seems they're always too easy to find when you're working on something. Really enjoying following you're progress. Mike

[Guest]

Hey Keith,
Once again you do great work! Keep the pictures coming!!!
Richard D. Hord

[simplyconnected]

...While it's flat the body line design is put in it with a bead roller...

I have one of those bead rollers. I sure wish I had your skills to use it. Your pieces come out really nice, and they encourage me to think about how you did it.

Keith, what ga metal are you bending? - Dave

[keith]

Thanks for the compliments. Mike your right about those sharp edges, I'll get them cleaned up before I weld it in.

Dave, I used 18 ga. One ga. thicker than factory. 19ga is what the factory used.

If you would like I would do a quick "how to" on the bead rolling. It is very simple.

[vernz]

I'd LOVE to get the how to on bead rolling!!

Vern

[keith]

Vern,

I'll put together something this week.

Dave, ole great webmaster, should I start a new thread or is it ok to do it in this one?

[simplyconnected]

keith, I would love it if you taught us how to roll some bends. I have some floor pans that need steel, but only in certain areas (like under my gas pedal. The sheet metal guys want to sell a firewall and a front floor pan.

I would like to start there since all my sins will be covered with carpeting. There are a couple indentations (cups), where the body bolts go through, that might be difficult to form.

I like your idea, keith. Could we start a new thread for these lessons? That way it will be easier for everyone to do a 'search'. Your sheetmetal skills are absolutely top notch. I have a lot to learn from you, keith. Even your ideas for making forming dies are simply fabulous.

Thanks in advance, keith. - Dave Dare

[keith]

I worked most of today getting the new a arm panel tacked in place.

[simplyconnected]

keith, your new "A" arm cover fits much better than the original's apron. Beautiful job! I want to know how you got all those nice rolls and bends in your new piece. That's gorgeous. Also, how will you do the inside of the apron? Do you hammer the lap into the "A" arm cover and weld it further? - Dave

[keith]

The owner wanted the scoop lengthened a bit and at the same time do away with the pot metal.

Made a template out of pink insulation and sanded it to the desired look.



Old and new.




New scoop in metal.

[keith]

The opening.



Trial fit.




Welded up.



Some hammer and dolly work and clean up.

[keith]

A couple more.