[buckroseau]

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[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by Mikesta

1. First one regarding the Welder you use. *NEWB* I know nothing of these, however I believe these require a few tanks? If so what does the cost run on these?

2. Also, the sandblaster you have, what model is it? I just need a SAND B. (to keep forever), and I dont want to purchase one that will break in 3 years. I believe in purchasing good quality stuff that will last me a lifetime, rather than purchase stuff every 5 years.

3. Another question, could you take a picture of the tool that you are using to build the floor ribs? What does this tool cost... I need to rebuild a good section of my floor... any reccomendations?

.

1. It requires 1 tank, it is a mix of CO2 and Argon. You should be able to obtain it at a auto parts store, at least that's where I get mine. The NAPA in my town has a machine shop also and they sell gas. I believe I bought the small tank from them for $140 initially. When your gas runs out you bring the tank in and exchange it for a full one for $40. So basicly you buy the tank for a $100 upfront and $40 to fill it evertime, at least that's how they do it here.

2. I'm not sure on the model of sandblaster, got it while ago and the sticker has been blasted off for a while? I don't think I would be to concerned about the brand of blaster, not much to them. A pot and and a hose, not much else. Bear in mind I own a hardware store and a rental business that specializes construction equipment. The compressor I use for that pot blaster is a Diesel ingersol Rand compressor that produces 185 PSI and damm near unlimmted CFM, it doesn't even kick into high idle when I'm blasting. I have a compressor at home that runs my airtools and paint guns that is a 220 volt, 7HP, 60 gal. That compressor could not even come close to keeping up with a sandblaster. Might work for 30 seconds, but then you would have to wait 5 minutes for it to recharge. I do have this little siphon feed sandblaster that I use with that compressor, but it's only for spot jobs i.e. : after welding to get the soot of before priming, small rust spot, etc. My suggestion would be to have a spot blaster for the occasional small spot and when you really need to do a lot, I would go rent the heavy equipment or bring it somewhere. I only mention that because if I didn't own the business I would personally rent it.

If you do decide to buy some heavy duty equipment, get a pot blaster that can hold at least a 100lbs or more. Anything less and you have to stop and keep filling it often. I think the more you look into this you will find that the most cost effective way to blast is to hire it done or rent heavy duty equipment.

3. I can take a pic, but there is a pic of this tool a few pages back in the thread. I have a piece of 4 x 8 sheet metal loaded into it. 52" Shear/break/roller - 3 in 1 tool. I bought mine through a company that I deal with that sells these cheap Ho Chi Mien tools, stuff like Harbor freight sells. The one I got is the exact same one Habor freight sells. I think my cost was $800, exactly what harbor freight sells them for. They make a 30" and 42" one that is cheaper and smaller, but you can't shear or brake 4' wide sheets. If you get one, get the 52", more money, but worth it. This tool has to come by truck, it is big and heavy. I don't have the weight in front of me, but it's around 800 lbs. Freight will run you an additional $200 to $300 bucks. I built a stand for mine on castor wheels, sits nicely in the corner of the garage until needed. Not used a lot, but when you do need it, it is extremely handly. I don't think I would have ever done a project like this without it.......so I would say it is almost needed? Just depends how fussy you are? It saves a lot of time and produce's some nice parts I think.


Also included 2 pics. 1st pic is that flap disc I mentioned for a 4 1/2" grinder. You would be amazed how fast those flap discs take down metal, much faster than a grinding disc and you get a lot nicer finish.

2nd pic is the airgrinder I use, they come with a stiff backer pad, but if you double up 2 - 4 1/2" resin disc's it flex's quite nicely in the coners and curves. Looks kinda wierd in the pic, but when you spin it at 18.000 rpm it straightens out real fast

Hope this helps.

Matt

[74fj40]

you have some mad skill

[Mikesta]

yea, bow staff, numchux and computer hacking skills for sure! Thanks for going into so much detail on those items! Looks like I need to set up shop for this rig, but this will have to be my first one with this kind of investment... to get all these items, I'm looking at 4k... then I need to build a shop with a paint booth... ouch another 20k+. But I am loving it!

[buckroseau]

Well, didn't get a full 11 hour day in today, more like a 6 hour day. I had a few intertuptions so......

I still got all my floor up front and rocker panels completely done. Finished getting those rear brackets I made fit and welded in. I also boxed in the rear of the rocker panel. It was boxed in from the factory, but it was more of an inverted part on the inside of the rocker box and then spot welded in. I didn't make it like the stock one because first it was a major pain in the ass to do it that way and 2nd, it was another place for it to start rusting again. The way I did it was easier and less apt to rust.

I was hoping to get the brackets and channels welded back in for the seat, but didn't happen. I did get those brackets cut apart, blasted and primed, but they are all going to need a little lovin. That will probably be another 6 hours to get those brackets done and then a good day to get them all welded back in.

I don't know how much I will get done during the week, if anything? I have been building a house now for about 2 1/2 years. The local electrical inspector stopped in the store last week and wanted to do the final inspection. No problem, just need a couple days to wrap up a few things (ceiling fan to hang, few other odds and ends) Super nice guy, just wants to get it off the books. So, that's what I will be doing this week. Hopefully hit it hard next weekend, and who knows, maybe an evening or so this week?

Matt

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[Radd Cruisers]

Really really nice work.

What gun are you using to spray with?

How did your countertops turn out?

Rob

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by Radd Cruisers

Really really nice work.

What gun are you using to spray with?

How did your countertops turn out?

Rob

Thanks in the compliment

The gun I use is a Campbell Hausfield DH7900 HVLP gravity feed gun. Not the most expensive thing in the world, but works very well. The friend of mine who is a body man for a living has some expensive stuff, we can never tell the difference from what he sprays and I spray.

Countertops turned out well, pics of it a few pages back on this thread. I haven't sealed them yet, I'll post a pic after I do.

Matt

[red66toy]

You are doing a kick ass job. Keep it up.

[Mikesta]

I am learning so much about body work from this thread! thanks again for keeping it up so well!

[buckroseau]

About 10 hours even today out in the shop today. Not a whole lot to show, more time consuming crap. Used the die-grinder and ground out the perforated metal at the bottom of the B pillar. The usual, ground out, sandblast inside the hole, prime the crap out of it with DP, weld in new metal, blast again, prime outside.

I had to re-work the seat brackets, cut out sections, bend up some new metal, weld in. Also the recess piece for the x-member, kinda a pain in the ass doing that also.

Bent up a new U channel that spans the length of the floor from each B pillar. I had to bend up another piece and cut off 2 - 5 1/4" pieces and weld them on each end. That channel has to be 56 1/2" long and my sheets are 48". Welded a piece on each end so you couldn't see the seam when those triangle pieces got welded back on. Also drilled holes in the new U channel and seat brackets. That is where the floor rotted out before, right where those brackets were welded, on the inside of them. Figured it must be condensating and no air flow, so now there's some airflow. Try to keep it from occuring there again.

Hopefully tomorrow I should get all those brackets welded back in for the seats and stuff. If all goes well, would like to get a wheel well out or 2.

Matt

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[buckroseau]

About 8.5 hours out in the shop today.

Pretty much got those seat brackets and U channels welded back in. Not real hard, just took a while. All in all pretty happy with it, turn out well. I guess I could consider the floor and rockers pretty much done, at least on the front half.

I started drilling out the spot welds on on one of the wheel wells, didn't get it out though. They ran beads of welds all over the place on those, going to be a real pain in the ass getting those out.

Also had to come in this afternoon for about an hour to help the wife seal the concrete countertop I had made a few weeks ago. I think that turned out real well.

Anyway, pics for today. I can feel myself loosing steam on this body work part of the project. So far to go........

Matt

[Flyin_Ryan]

looking good matt, sorry about the slow website updating. I'll have to swing by and check it out in person the next time i'm home.

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Not cruiser related, just so you know why I'm getting slowed up

[mallred]

Both Projects look great Matt !!!!

[Radd Cruisers]

Cool countertop, concrete you say.

Some kind of clear coat to make it shine or buff to that finish?

Rob

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by Radd Cruisers

Cool countertop, concrete you say.

Some kind of clear coat to make it shine or buff to that finish?

Rob

The clear coat is this 2 part kinda epoxy stuff I sell at my store here. Designed for coffe tables and stuff like that. Figured it would work well on the countertop, I'm extremely happy with the way it turned out. It actually kinda looks like Granite.

I've got about $150 bucks tied up the whole thing: Malamine board for the forms, 1/2" Diamond lathe, Re-bar, quickcrete, portland cement, charcoal tint and the clear.

Matt

[madams557]

Now that you're done wasting time on the counter top, get back to your LV!!

Just kidding. That countertop looks incredible. You may have convinced me to give concrete a consideration.

[buckroseau]

Originally Posted by madams557

Now that you're done wasting time on the counter top, get back to your LV!!

Just kidding. That countertop looks incredible. You have my convenienced to give concrete a consideration.

Thanks on the countertop compliment Real happy and more importantly so is the wife.

Hoping to maybe sneak in an evening or 2 this week on the LV. Next step is getting those wheel wells out. I have to rework each wheel well and both inner panels that are part of the C pillar.

I had talked to my body man buddy a few days ago about those rear quarter panels he said he would give me a hand with. He is still trying to plan on helping me, but he's pretty busy at the moment. I was hoping he might be able to fit me in, in the next week or so? Get those wheel wells done, rear quarters and rear sill..... Then it can go back on the chassis......and then the fun part comes, removing the entire roof That will be a couple weeks of fun just by itself.

This Saturday there is a car show locally and a few of the organizers asked me if I could bring my 77 FJ40. I told them yes, so that kinda ruins next Saturday (unless it's raining), so far I still have Sunday next weekend. Have to play it by ear and see how it goes?

Matt

[Radd Cruisers]

Originally Posted by buckroseau

The clear coat is this 2 part kinda epoxy stuff I sell at my store here. Designed for coffe tables and stuff like that. Figured it would work well on the countertop, I'm extremely happy with the way it turned out. It actually kinda looks like Granite.

I've got about $150 bucks tied up the whole thing: Malamine board for the forms, 1/2" Diamond lathe, Re-bar, quickcrete, portland cement, charcoal tint and the clear.

Matt

One of those guys who can do just about anything........


Koooooool.