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Today I got the 6 metal stakes out of my bed. I took John's (of Canada) advice and bought a MAP/Pro torch. The bed was upside down resting on a 50 gallon drum. I heated the pockets to 600°F. Then I held the iron bar while my buddy Bill stood on a step stool and pound with a small sledge. The iron bar was about ¾"×2”.
The two side stakes came out rather easy. The four front were harder. They were probably in place since 1955. There are two tabs in the back of the pocket. We pried them back to make it easier. We boogered the bottoms of the 4 front stakes from pounding them . But they're OK. Nobody sees that part.
So now set a date with the sandblaster and coordinate to get primer on within 3 days .
Good job, bet it feels good to have finished that task.
Yes it does. Thanks. I first tried a front one and failed. So heated a side one.. After we got the 2 side ones out Bill says do you really need the front one out? I said "yes, I do. I'm not sure if I want the racks in the front or retro fit the headboard on my truck now to fit. Or be able to switch back and forth.
It's funny how even though you got lucky(in a way) by finding that truck/bed, how much work we still have to do in this hobby. I'm lucky and young. For folks who waited until retirement to start their projects, this can be a very difficult hobby--hamming, chiseling, welding, grinding for days. Cleaning and painting with hazardous chemicals.
Great work abe, keep at it. You'll be finished right about time to haul your whole towns hay and pumpkins from their patches when halloween/thanksgivin rolls around.
It's funny how even though you got lucky(in a way) by finding that truck/bed, how much work we still have to do in this hobby. I'm lucky and young. For folks who waited until retirement to start their projects, this can be a very difficult hobby--hamming, chiseling, welding, grinding for days. Cleaning and painting with hazardous chemicals.
Great work abe, keep at it. You'll be finished right about time to haul your whole towns hay and pumpkins from their patches when halloween/thanksgivin rolls around.
LOL. You're about right. When I told my brother about the truck I bought and my plans he said, "That will be a nice summer project for you!"
I texted a former soccer player of mine tonight. He has a paint gun and a new respirator. He is willing to give me equipment. I asked if he'd like to paint the bed. Then I asked if he can weld. I've got one bad spot about 8" that needs reinforcement and I'd like some holes welded up. He said he has a welder and can weld for me. Now I have to set up a day for the sandblaster and coordinate it with painting within 3 days.
Fantastic! Glad you got them out.
So, let me get this straight. You held the iron bar while Bill did the hammering. I bet by the 3rd or 4th one he was questioning volunteering to help you. Or at least who got to hold the iron bar and who had to hammer.
I can't wait to see further progress.
I used it over the winter when I couldn’t setup an outdoor spray booth. I felt it worked exactly like the 2k primer in a spray gun. Theres a plunger in the bottom of the can that releases the activator, then the can is good for a few days. The tip has a nice fan pattern and can be turned for vertical or horizontal spray pattern. Color me impressed.
Fantastic! Glad you got them out.
So, let me get this straight. You held the iron bar while Bill did the hammering. I bet by the 3rd or 4th one he was questioning volunteering to help you. Or at least who got to hold the iron bar and who had to hammer.
I can't wait to see further progress.
Bill is a heck of a guy! He is taller, a little younger and stronger. And he is a take charge guy. I can't thank him enough.
I used it over the winter when I couldn’t setup an outdoor spray booth. I felt it worked exactly like the 2k primer in a spray gun. Theres a plunger in the bottom of the can that releases the activator, then the can is good for a few days. The tip has a nice fan pattern and can be turned for vertical or horizontal spray pattern. Color me impressed.
Thanks Bob. That is something I'll look into if I have a problem painting a coat of primer after blasting.
It's funny how even though you got lucky(in a way) by finding that truck/bed, how much work we still have to do in this hobby. I'm lucky and young. For folks who waited until retirement to start their projects, this can be a very difficult hobby--hamming, chiseling, welding, grinding for days. Cleaning and painting with hazardous chemicals.
the last couple of weeks I've had fleeting thoughts of thinking maybe I should have bought a new aluminum bed. Or a new steel bed. It would be on my truck by now. But I didn't want an aluminum headboard nor that tail piece aluminum beds have. And I didn't want LED lights for marker lights. And an aluminum bed would not be the exact size of a factory Ford bed. And it would cost around $3000. I got a quote for a custom built steel bed built to my specs with a wood bed. It was $3500.
So when this is done and on my truck it will be nice. I've gotta soon decide whether I want a black bed frame or Meadow Green.
New beds are for people who need it done ASAP so they can sell it and move on.
Old rusty beds are for people who respect their projects and get more from the hobby than just money.
I know that can sound condescending but like it or not, that's my opinion.
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