Wood Install Opinion

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Oct 22, 2003 | 12:48 PM

Jag Red 54

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From: Valley Center, CA

Wood Install Opinion

I am in the final assembly stage of the bed on my 54 f100. I noticed the wood does not set flush with the side panels at the front and rear corners. Upon further examination, I found there is an additional layer of sheet metal on each end where the small panels are welded on. This prevents the wood from meeting flush with the bottom lip. I went to Vintage Ford, where I bought the bed, and their display is just assembled with the wood not setting flat to the lip. I am thinking of using a router to remove 1/16" of wood to clear where the extra metal is. Am I being too picky? Has anybody had a similar experience? Thanks, John

Oct 22, 2003 | 01:36 PM

Okiedokie

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From: okla

John, I'll look tonite when I get home, I don't remember encountering that when I put mine together. I'll let you know. Joe

Oct 23, 2003 | 04:33 AM

Jim VA.

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From: Western Shore of Virginia

John; Yes, I too had that same problem on my 54 F100 pieces, only from from "D Carpenter". The front panels were 1/32" short of the side lip,and the rear panels were 5/8"short. For a perfect fit you will indeed have to remove some wood in those places. Be sure you apply several coats of the finish you are using to the spots you removed the additional wood. Jim VA.

Oct 23, 2003 | 09:30 AM

Jag Red 54

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From: Valley Center, CA

Thanks for the input guys. Last night I came to the conclusion that for the wood to sit right and the panels to look smooth as they fit into the datoed wood, the extra trimming was necessary. I used my radial arm saw and my dato blade. After testing my depth on a scrap piece, I removed 1/16" of oak from both ends where the overlapping metal is. Then I tried a test fit. Everything went together sweet! Then I marked the wood for the bolt holes. After drilling 3/8" holes on the bench press, I put a new coat of spar varnish inside the holes and on the dato sections. I think I am ready to complete the bed install tonight.

Thanks, John

Oct 24, 2003 | 07:52 AM

Okiedokie

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From: okla

John, I am lost as to what you and Jim have encountered. I used a Mar-K bed assembly and did not encounter this problem. Maybe I'm just not as particular as you two, but I can not see that problem in my bed. I wonder if anyone else used the Mar-K and had your problem? Joe

Oct 24, 2003 | 09:16 AM

Jag Red 54

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From: Valley Center, CA

Hey Joe, Maybe Mar K addresses the problem for the consumer. My bed from Vintage has a very tight fit for the outer two boards as they slip under the lip of the side panel. To install the wood without removing the extra 1/16" I would have had the metal edge of the side panel showing instead of sitting down in the lower canfered area. Maybe yours did not have the doubled-up layers of sheet metal on the ends or the the wood may have already been contoured to fit. Or like you say, maybe I'm just so insanely particular that I'm noticing things that really are no big deal.

Thanks, John

Oct 24, 2003 | 09:23 AM

fatfenders

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From: Iowa

John

I've seen a few other beds with the same issue. I like to put a thin rubber strip/gasket under the bed edge to keep the cooties out. On some beds, not a prayer of that happening without a deeper rabbet (sp?) on the board edge.