So I want an FJ 40 but...

[jynx]

@FJ60Cam looks like the gauntlet has been thrown down. Now you have to swap an LV body with a 470 interior onto your V8J68 to turn it into an LV8J68X!!

I'm sorry, but this is the only way....

@metalshaper Amazing work BTW. I can't wait to see the finished product, hell I'm really enjoying just the pieces, so the finished product might be more than we can handle...

 

[FJ60Cam]

@FJ60Cam looks like the gauntlet has been thrown down. Now you have to swap an LV body with a 470 interior onto your V8J68 to turn it into an LV8J68X!!

I'm sorry, but this is the only way....

@metalshaper Amazing work BTW. I can't wait to see the finished product, hell I'm really enjoying just the pieces, so the finished product might be more than we can handle...

 

[FJ60Cam]

@metalshaper Amazing work BTW. I can't wait to see the finished product, hell I'm really enjoying just the pieces, so the finished product might be more than we can handle...

Our minds will most assuredly be boggled!

 

[metalshaper]

So today sucked a little bit. I was so excited to get started working in the 40 I spot welded my pieces together before I finished the last step. $&!#%

The bad thing about buying good tools it that when used correctly they really work. 7 spot welds just to hold it in place took me an hour to get free.

 

[metalshaper]

And a couple holes

 

[metalshaper]

So I used a hammer and dolly to smooth it back out, make the last bent and start adding the side supports for the edge

 

[metalshaper]

I folded a part of it over so you guys could see the plan of attack. You have to work the edge slowing so you can get it turned 90 degree then all the way over. Basicly a hem joint

 

[metalshaper]

The next part that I started working on it the corn upper shape as it fades as it rounds the corner. This to me is the hardest piece. I'm not done with it but I wanted to give you guys a look at the process. It starts out rough and you have to continue working it. It's ok if it's not perfect at first. Sheet metal is like clay, you have to work it and it will flow just like clay.b I welder the upper edges together so it didn't move so much that I couldn't get a good shape while I worked it.

 

[MScruiser]

Beautiful

 

[metalshaper]

So here is a small lesson for anyone wanting to replicate a piece. Get some painters tape, the low stick kind. Cover your part completely and then come back over it with reinforced tape. Here I used duck tape. However this isn't a good choice when doing hot rods because it can move some because the duck tape is flexible. Just keep that in mind. Once you have both layers trim the edges to you have "hard stops". The advantage of this method is it will actually keep the shape of the item.

 

[metalshaper]

The next step is to slowly, and I mean slowing tape the tape off as one piece. For this part you will need some baby powder. As you peel the tape back dust it with baby powder so it nulls the sticky.

 

[metalshaper]

More pictures of the process

 

[metalshaper]

Now I out this on my digitizer so I can make my sheet metal blank on the CNC. Boy does this speed things up, both the digitizer and the CNC.

Oh, here is to where the template REALLY gives you a bunch of information. If you can see the area where there are wrinkles in the bends, that tells you that area is going to have to be stretched when being formed.

 

[wngrog]

Why would you make that and not just buy one? That part generally is out there since it's not in the "rust belt"

 

[metalshaper]

Very good question Nolan.


Because I can




On a serious note, because it gives me a chance to actually teach my guys to make a more complex part. I use things like this as a learning tool.


Also, Matthew has these parts and I need them for mine.

 

[metalshaper]

The next part is to make a wood buck to sandwich the metal in.

 

[metalshaper]

So after some hammering and dolly work we have a finished piece.

That's all for today.

 

[jynx]

You are a true craftsman, watching the process is as interesting as the end result.

 

[Jordan7118]

Man, this is crazy! Very impressive.

May have missed it, but what is it that you do to fund these hobbies? I see "teach my guys", so you're running a restoration shop or an instructor? Maybe? Either way, very nice work!

 

[metalshaper]

Man, this is crazy! Very impressive.

May have missed it, but what is it that you do to fund these hobbies? I see "teach my guys", so you're running a restoration shop or an instructor? Maybe? Either way, very nice work!

I own White Rhino Fabrication. I've been doing this about 10 years. I got started doing jeep parts and tube fenders back when I was writing computer software. Started doing hot rods about 4 years ago because God gave me a talent. I have never been instructed how to do any of this. The truth is, gearing, motors, transmissions etc I know just enough to know I need help with that kind of stuff. It literally has no interest for me. However I love metal, working with metal etc. God blessed me so I can do what I love. Besides, when I have a question about engines and transmissions etc I call Pat Holand.


Thank you all for the kind words. Sometimes it's hard to "put yourself" out there like this because you never know how people will react to it. I put a lot of heart in every project I do so its personal for me.