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Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

The market has definitely swung from cars to trucks, but I sure wouldn't crush them... which is how I ended up with a cow pasture full of rusty old hulks...

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by whtbaron

It's stuff most people sent to the crushers in the 60's.

I have a friend north of Pittsburgh,, he has been "storing" a '36 Chevy car for something like 5 to 10 years.
The last time we chatted, he was hinting that the car may go to the crusher,,

I think he was hoping I would come get it,, so he does not have to suffer the emotions of crushing a "classic",,,

He has a '50 Dodge car,, it runs,, but, it is in the same boat,, Who wants such a thing??
If it was a truck, I would be all over it like rust on a F250 in the rust-belt!!

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

My stuff is old... I was painting professionally 45 yrs ago. The 2 DeVilbiss are JGA Model 502's, and I have a Binks Model 18 that's good enough for primer.

I have 2 1928 Whippet frames... the one I'm working on has no body parts but the plan was always to build a speedster bullet back body for it. The second one has fenders and a munched 4 door body that only exists from the front seat to the cowl. It's stuff most people sent to the crushers in the 60's.

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by whtbaron

Oh man.... 3 yrs later and still not fixed?? This is starting to sound like one of my projects (the Whippet chassis has only managed to get moved in and out of my shop doors with no work getting done other than some rusty parts removed in the last 10 yrs). That's starting to look like a Manitoba truck too... something I'm painfully familiar with. Talk to your auto paint supplier and see who ends up with used guns from the local body shops. I was able to pick up an old DeVillbis in good working condition for $50 a few yrs back. Regardless of which gun you get, see if you can make a joint at a body line if you aren't painting the whole side. Enamels don't blend easily for the inexperienced. If you don't like the blend however, you can probably get away with clearing the whole side over it.

lol yeah my projects usually take at least 2-3 times longer than planned. Took me a little over a year to fix a sewage drain issue but, in my defense, I had to dig about six feet deep to get to the cracked pipe and only used hand tools.

Just looked up the Whippet model. Do you have the body too? That's a really cool looking car. Get on a caffeine high and get started on it!

I just discovered a big flaw in my plan to cut out the sheet metal parts from the junk yard trucks. A portion of the area I need is where the forks on the fork lifts are placed to move the vehicles around. I cut out one side from a donor truck and one area is completely crushed I think I can still use the pieces I cut out though and just try to fabricate something for the crushed areas.

What model DeVilbiss do you have? The pro level guns are freaking pricey!

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Oh man.... 3 yrs later and still not fixed?? This is starting to sound like one of my projects (the Whippet chassis has only managed to get moved in and out of my shop doors with no work getting done other than some rusty parts removed in the last 10 yrs). That's starting to look like a Manitoba truck too... something I'm painfully familiar with. Talk to your auto paint supplier and see who ends up with used guns from the local body shops. I was able to pick up an old DeVillbis in good working condition for $50 a few yrs back. Regardless of which gun you get, see if you can make a joint at a body line if you aren't painting the whole side. Enamels don't blend easily for the inexperienced. If you don't like the blend however, you can probably get away with clearing the whole side over it.

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by SweetMK

I do not know if it applies to your truck model,,
but,,,,,,,
there are companies that sell molded plastic parts that can be installed with 3M double sided foam tape,,
15 minutes later, the truck looks like new,,
no hot work needed at all.

Is it for the rear fender/wheel well area or other areas too? I struck out at one of the pick-a-part junkyards today, couldn't find the damn Sierra model shown in their online inventory. Ended up just cutting out some sheet metal from vans for $19. I forgot to bring my ear pro though so my right ear is a bit muffled right now

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

I do not know if it applies to your truck model,,
but,,,,,,,
there are companies that sell molded plastic parts that can be installed with 3M double sided foam tape,,
15 minutes later, the truck looks like new,,
no hot work needed at all.

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Damn, I can't believe it's been over two years since I started this thread and my rust bucket truck is still sitting in my driveway

I finally have just about everything I need. I still have to buy spray guns (one for primer and one for base/clear), paint, and other painting related items. I've stupidly gone down a bit of a rabbit hole trying to find the "best" beginner/budget spray gun instead of getting a HF purple gun for primer and maybe the Spectrum HTE gun for base/clear.

The rust issues are actually worse than I thought. I had to use my new air hammer to help with the removal of the truck step boards which caused a major rust rain that fell all over me.
Attachment 1781563
Attachment 1781565
Attachment 1781567
Look at that welding job lmao. I don't know how I missed that, just saw it yesterday. This truck is disintegrating little by little.

Just picked up a Milwaukee M12 Sawzall tool from HD today, going to the pick-a-part junk yard tomorrow for some sheet metal. There's several trucks in the same gen as my truck but a lot of them are in the section where you have to pay someone to pick parts for you. I'm hoping they will let me go in when I tell them I just want some sheet metal. If they don't then there's only one or two in the open area I'll be able to get to. If I complete this project I'm definitely getting an old XJ Jeep Cherokee and building it into an off road camping vehicle.

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by Ambull01

When you replaced the panels on your truck, what did you use to paint it? I bought a bunch of Victory Red rattle cans and clear coat but I’m thinking I should just buy a spray gun and real automotive paint and clear coat.

I think I’m about ready to do the panels. I’ll have to lay down plastic sheeting everywhere in the garage to keep dust down and figure out how to block the open garage door(truck can’t fully fit into the garage).

I got some leftover paint from someone I know. If I recall it was Dupont acrylic enamel, I think Centari. I would probably get the dupli color from O'Reilly. I think they call it " perfect match". I believe it's a laquer, so it's easy to spray and economical. Be sure to use a " sealer primer" over your sandable primer and existing paint to insure it doesn't craze or lift.

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by M J D

I can't stand NASCAR either. Good luck with your class as I'm sure you will pick up on things that are hard to describe but easier to show. " Let's go Brandon"

When you replaced the panels on your truck, what did you use to paint it? I bought a bunch of Victory Red rattle cans and clear coat but I’m thinking I should just buy a spray gun and real automotive paint and clear coat.

I think I’m about ready to do the panels. I’ll have to lay down plastic sheeting everywhere in the garage to keep dust down and figure out how to block the open garage door(truck can’t fully fit into the garage).

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by Ambull01

Okay I looked up this let's go Brandon thing lol. Never heard of it till now. I can't watch Nascar, my parents used to watch races but it's too boring for me. Around and around in circles.

My first day of the welding class is tomorrow! So excited, hope I'm not the worst student. Called the instructor and asked if I could bring my Hobart 210MVP and he said sure. Figured it would be best to really learn how to operate the machine I will use at home. Also, bit of false advertising but the the instructor said it's from 9-3 pm so it will be less than the advertised 16 hours for two days. I imagine they take lunch breaks too so maybe only 10 hours total for two days with 1 hour lunches. I'm a bit disappointed.

I can't stand NASCAR either. Good luck with your class as I'm sure you will pick up on things that are hard to describe but easier to show. " Let's go Brandon"

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by M J D

Yeah I think you would be disappointed with that mess. Well it's obviously my support for nascar's Brandon Brown. " Let's go Brandon"

Okay I looked up this let's go Brandon thing lol. Never heard of it till now. I can't watch Nascar, my parents used to watch races but it's too boring for me. Around and around in circles.

My first day of the welding class is tomorrow! So excited, hope I'm not the worst student. Called the instructor and asked if I could bring my Hobart 210MVP and he said sure. Figured it would be best to really learn how to operate the machine I will use at home. Also, bit of false advertising but the the instructor said it's from 9-3 pm so it will be less than the advertised 16 hours for two days. I imagine they take lunch breaks too so maybe only 10 hours total for two days with 1 hour lunches. I'm a bit disappointed.

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by Ambull01

Yep I shouldn't have committed to buying it. Another ill-advised purchase on my part.

I'm buying it for $120 so a little better lol. If it turns out to be thin metal then I'll pass on it and drive to Harbor Freight for their $70 welding table.



I think you're right about that sliding top, it does look really thin. What's this "Let's go Brandon" thing?

Now I want to cancel the meetup but already told the guy I would take it for $120 and we're supposed to meet today at in a couple hours. Facepalm.

Yeah I think you would be disappointed with that mess. Well it's obviously my support for nascar's Brandon Brown. " Let's go Brandon"

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by Lis2323

Fair enough.

It may be better to physically see it but at an asking price of $150 coupled with those crappy photos I would give it a pass.

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Yep I shouldn't have committed to buying it. Another ill-advised purchase on my part.

I'm buying it for $120 so a little better lol. If it turns out to be thin metal then I'll pass on it and drive to Harbor Freight for their $70 welding table.

Originally Posted by M J D

That top looks to be thin gauge sheet metal with broke edges. Pretty much a pain to work with. I would pass. " Let's go Brandon"

I think you're right about that sliding top, it does look really thin. What's this "Let's go Brandon" thing?

Now I want to cancel the meetup but already told the guy I would take it for $120 and we're supposed to meet today at in a couple hours. Facepalm.

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by Lis2323

Fair enough.

It may be better to physically see it but at an asking price of $150 coupled with those crappy photos I would give it a pass.


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That top looks to be thin gauge sheet metal with broke edges. Pretty much a pain to work with. I would pass. " Let's go Brandon"

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by Ambull01

lol. You don't think it would work as a welding table? The pictures are pretty crappy so I can't really make out how thick it is. Figured I could at least use the table part and maybe let my wife use the sink contraption as a gardening table.

Fair enough.

It may be better to physically see it but at an asking price of $150 coupled with those crappy photos I would give it a pass.


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Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by Lis2323

Just my opinion. Do not take the table even if it’s free.

You will spend too time and effort trying to make something of it and most likely end up with something equally ugly.


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lol. You don't think it would work as a welding table? The pictures are pretty crappy so I can't really make out how thick it is. Figured I could at least use the table part and maybe let my wife use the sink contraption as a gardening table.

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Just my opinion. Do not take the table even if it’s free.

You will spend too time and effort trying to make something of it and most likely end up with something equally ugly.


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Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by Meltedmetal

Project suggestion: you could make the tub at the end into a downdraft table. Blow those fumes outside or onto your neighbor.

Hell yeah, that's a great idea lol. It is a really ugly table I must say, hopefully I can clean it up a bit, maybe paint some of it. Time to look for a motor that can suck up all the fumes/smoke.

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Project suggestion: you could make the tub at the end into a downdraft table. Blow those fumes outside or onto your neighbor.

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Okay ordered a digital and vernier caliper, just in case the digital craps out on me again.

Found this super ugly steel table on Offerup, it's my first time using the app/site. I've been trying to look everywhere I can think of for steel to practice on. If this doesn't work as a welding table then I guess I could just cut it up and use it to make something. Seller was asking $150 but I'm going to buy it for $120. Figure that's still a good deal for the amount of steel.

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Calipers are also available with carbide tipped jaws . I haven't noticed any wear on regular ones scribing altho it possibly could be an issue over time. " Let's go Brandon"

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by Ambull01

That's true about converting inch to metric although I was hoping a dial or veneer caliper would force me to learn to do that on my own lol. Digital does sound nice though.

Didn't realize you could use it as a scribe,

There are actually 3 types of calipers,,

1) Dial
2) Digital [battery required]
3) Vernier caliper

The Vernier caliper is sometimes available at the lowest cost,, and sometimes, it is the MOST expensive.
This is the type a true toolmaker uses,, because it is the most accurate, if it is the expensive one.
It is kinda tricky to learn to read,, but, after you learn it, it is actually the easiest to use for the typical shop use.

the cheap one is great for doing layout scribe type work.
It is great for layout because the stainless that they are made out of is REALLY hard, so it scratches metal very nicely.

This one is on Amazon for ~$16 {it is both inch and metric}
Notice there are no gears or racks to catch dirt and grit like a dial caliper. it keeps on being accurate,

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

I only use calipers for machining work. I don't think you will miss a caliper if you do not have one.

Vernier calipers are not my preferred method for determining metal thickness, especially with burs. A gage is better and more robust.

Re: Got A Stupid Total Newb Sheetmetal Question

Originally Posted by M J D

Shars is a machinist tool site. A lot of import tools but decent quality at a fair price. Maybe your thinking of a marking gauge. So yeah using similar to that. I use mine a lot for laying out bolt holes and other features like that. I prefer digital as you can convert inch to metric instantly and by using the zero function you can tell instantly and exactly how much difference is between 2 given measurements without math.

That's true about converting inch to metric although I was hoping a dial or veneer caliper would force me to learn to do that on my own lol. Digital does sound nice though. I think I'll order one although I'm buying way too much **** already. Went to Home Depot today just to "look" at angle grinders and left with one.

Attachment 1732391

The new Dewalt is super long though, especially compared to my old Hitachi 4 1/2" grinder. I liked how comfortable the Dewalt handle is and it's a 4 1/2", 5", and 6" with a quick adjust guard. Don't really get the 4 1/2 and 5" though, the size is so close it seems a little pointless to me. Hopefully I'll be able to stop myself from buying more crap soon.

Originally Posted by bcguide

Look for a burndy wire gauge. They are a handy little tool. Only comes in analog.

I saw some wire gauges but didn't think I would have a real use for it.

Originally Posted by Roert42

I am a big fan of the digital calipers. Use them, for most my layout work that doesn't need to be precision. I also have a 6" slide rule for quick measurements.

The thing you need to remember about calipers is that they are not intended to be a precision measuring tool, they are intended for quick measurements to get within a half mm or so. If you need to be within a couple of thousandths, you need some micrometers.

If you go for a caliper, get a metal one. As mentioned earlier, you can use it as a scribe. Set your depth, then run it along the length of your piece, nice straight line.

Yeah I'll never need to be that precise. Didn't realize you could use it as a scribe, figured you would end up damaging the caliper "teeth" or whatever they're called. Or maybe that's the reason they are sharpened to a point.