Got a bed head??
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Got a bed head??
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%">I 've recently gotten my new polished stainless strips, got the paint to spray the inside of the bed, and today took my rough hewn wood to my bud's wood shop where we will be planing and rabbeting, etc.. I have not taken my bed apart yet, and will be paying attention when I do, but will the dimensions I got off Earl's world work for all 55 shortboxes? By that I mean, would I be wise to wait till dissasssembly of my box to note any differences, in you guys' opinion, or can I proceed with the wood work? Time is of the essence. I am only concerned that I did not buy new bed side strips, and so will not be able to "hide" any discrepencies. I also want to rabbet the wood so that the strips fit EXACTLY in the rabbet, with no excess side tolerances, as I have now on my pine boards. I prolly have 1/8" on both sides of each strip. Thanks, Fellas!
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Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,955
Likes: 9,727
From: Rio Rancho, NM
I think you need to have some tolerances as the boards will expand and contract with the variations in humidity throughout the year. I don't know how much but I'll bet there are more than one woodworkers here who will pipe up with an answer before too long.
Good luck with it
Bobby
Good luck with it
Bobby
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,310
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From: Central PA
Originally Posted by 59flatbedford
the whole object of bed strips is to hide the spaces between the boards when the expand and contract and to keep stuff from falling through the cracks. thats what i though any way.
Give yourself a little room for expansion. I would recommend you follow Earl's specs.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clarita
You also need a gap in the boards so you can manuever the boards around and line them up. If there is no clearance, there is no room for error, and on these old trucks. All I can say is good luck.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,696
Likes: 1
From: S.W. Florida
Thanks guys. I'll try to remember to take pics tommorrow and as I progress. Gonna take careful measurements and copious notes tommorrow, and remove old wood and strips to get ready to re-paint the bed interior.
