1974 Ford Cummins Crew cab - Page 29

Towmanjbo · #**421** (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 05:57 AM

The only thing I can think of ( other than more praise, lol) is nuts are usually larger than bolts so if you plan on putting the bolts pointed down for a cleaner look do the sockets still fit? Other than that slight caution, lookin good.

scottfreeman · #**422** (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseTruck754

If you want a list of "can't live without" or "my favorite" tools - just ask and I'll let you know

Lets have it.......

ChaseTruck754 · #**423** (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Towmanjbo

The only thing I can think of ( other than more praise, lol) is nuts are usually larger than bolts so if you plan on putting the bolts pointed down for a cleaner look do the sockets still fit? Other than that slight caution, lookin good.

Yeah - I'm a little slow like this and originally started looking at it with the bolt heads up. Well, I woke up a little when I was getting closer and realized the nuts were bigger. Not a big deal as I just turned the bolts over and will have the nuts on top. You won't even see it because the nuts will be under the structure of the core support.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottfreeman

Lets have it.......

Ok - since the general tools like a corded drill, drill press and hand tools are kind of givens for a basic shop I'll give a couple of ones people may not always think about, but ones that since I have bought I realize I could not live without...

Short list:
1) Milwakee Port-a-band - portable bandsaw. They are expensive at like $300+, but I use mine darn near every day - multiple times...

2) Jet - grinder/belt sander combo. This is a 2x48" upright belt grinder (sander). I use this every day as well. I scored mine used (guy migfht have used it once) for $100 on craiglist. One of my best "investments" by far. I'd love to have a Burr King - but at over 10x what I paid for my Jet I'll keep the little one

That's about it. Honestly with these 2 and a drill you can do darn near anything!

Here are a couple more that aren't common that I use a lot though

Transfer punches. Cheap from Harbor freight. I have 2 sets. 1 I leave full length and one I cut shorter as I need them so as to fit in tigher spaces.

Hollow punch set. Again - cheap from harbor freight. Used to cut holes in cardboard or paper templates for muck up. Also uses for neoprene style rubber to make soft washers.

Beverly shear. Not common and cost quite a bit - but a VERY handy tool for cutting steel, aluminum, braided hose, etc.

The last will be a good table. I sold my old 2.5" thick solid steel table to build a new one. It has a small base and was a bit top heavy - so getting it off a lift gate truck almost killed me in the move and Suzy said it had to go. I sold it to buy enough material for the new one - which will be larger - but not as thick.

So that's a good segway into this...

No real work got done last night as I was looking at adding harness attachments to a roll bar in a buddies dad's car. I then got back to the shop and just cut out the legs for the new welding table I am making (36" x 48" x 1" thick!!!!).

More to come soon.

Oh - and the supercab comes home on Saturday - I just hope I can fight the urge to start building it as I NEED to get the crew running 1st - but new projects always seem to steal my attention....

scottfreeman · #**424** (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 01:20 PM

Does a porta band offer any advantages over a band-cut-off saw?

What do you use to make your dimples? those are pretty trick looking. Do you hole-saw them first then use one of those threaded dimple die jin-gaw-sas?

ChaseTruck754 · #**425** (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 01:39 PM

I have a vertical, metal cutting (actually wood and metal - it is an OLD delta with a gearbox) band saw that I never use - because the port-a-band is that much easier.

A horizontal, cut off style band saw could be cool - but I don't have one. I got used to the port-a-band and use it for dang near EVERYTHING. I have the "deep throat" one and can cut most everything I need with it. From time to time there are some really long cuts that the vertical bandsaw needs to do - but it's not often.
I'd buy a port-a-band WAY before a horizontal bandsaw! Port-a-bands take up a lot less space in a small shop and can do sooo much more. Plus there are guys making kits/stands to use them like a vertical bandsaw now!!!

As far as cutting goes - I have the means to cut darn near everything.
I have a plasma cutter (another GREAT, yet expensive toy), a jump shear (hardly ever used), the beverly shear, the vertical bandsaw (2 actually) and the port-a-band. The port-a-band sees more action than ALL of the above combined!!

Ok - onto the dimples.
I have a set made by JMR. Expensive - but I bought them used as I do 99.9% of my tools. Actually I bought 3 sets used and turned 2 of the sets for more than I paid, so I got mine for like $100 or less in the end. I have the 7 piece set that sells for over $500 new...

I have used many of the "desert racer" guys brands including the Curt LeDuc ones and JMR. I have not used the Light Racing ones personally - but I hear good things.

All of the above are ones you use a hole saw or punch to make the hole and then put them in a press. These seem to work better on heavier gauge or higher quality material (4130 - chromolly) than the ones you ratchet or tighten on themselves. Those are more for aircraft stuff at very thin gauge.
I have a 20 ton harbor freight press and it does fine doing my typical 1/8" plate stuff.
My buddies 50 ton press and a little heat let us do 3.16" stainless with the LeDuc dies.

scottfreeman · #**426** (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 01:51 PM

I wanna plasma cutter real bad, but they are out of the budget at this time.

BradyCouchman · #**427** (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 04:20 PM

where is the super cab gana go???? did you get rid of something?

ChaseTruck754 · #**428** (**permalink**) 09-03-2009, 05:55 PM

out front for now - as nothing has left yet

BradyCouchman · #**429** (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 02:41 AM

so what time frame you think you will be getting it there? i was thinking of maybe swinging by to check it out, dont wory i dont need any welding...

ChaseTruck754 · #**430** (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 02:44 AM

We are leaving around noon or so. It is in Yucaipa - so I'm thinking we'll be back by 4.

Or, you dad will be at the shop on Sunday morning to look at the roll bar for his car if you want to hang at the shop and check it out while we do that.

Lvcrprts · #**431** (**permalink**) 09-04-2009, 08:21 PM

Followed this one too, my @$$ is getting numb from reading LOL. Great stuff keep it up. You and HRD should go into the fab business together give ole Foose boys a run for their money.

ChaseTruck754 · #**432** (**permalink**) 09-14-2009, 01:37 PM

[IMG]file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Steve/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg[/IMG]It's been a while, but I got a little work done yesterday. Not much - but it is progress.
Last week was nuts with how much crap I had going on, so hopefully this week I'll have more time to hit the shop!

Here is the passenger side frame box work I did last night

Here is that tube that goes to the outside fo the frame

BradyCouchman · #**433** (**permalink**) 09-14-2009, 02:29 PM

what was that first image? and the frame section is looking good.

ChaseTruck754 · #**434** (**permalink**) 09-14-2009, 04:07 PM

Did the 1st image not show up for you? It is just the same thing - but before the tube was put in and before the thing was fully welded.

b-uno · #**435** (**permalink**) 09-14-2009, 04:08 PM

whats the tube for? just to make the boxed section stronger?