LFD's 4dr Tahoe Build

[gferris5]

Sooo, after seeing your builds, I'm wondering: "Why's this guy taking a class!? he should be teaching!"

But seriously...
Kevin, I'm sure you have some pics somewhere else on the bb, but I'm wondering what your shop set up is like? I know you were redoing your house and stuff a long time ago, but I just am curious what you're working with.

btw, I have a good friend in Fairfield, one of these days I'll have to come bother you up in Winters!

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by gferris5

Sooo, after seeing your builds, I'm wondering: "Why's this guy taking a class!? he should be teaching!"

But seriously...
Kevin, I'm sure you have some pics somewhere else on the bb, but I'm wondering what your shop set up is like? I know you were redoing your house and stuff a long time ago, but I just am curious what you're working with.

btw, I have a good friend in Fairfield, one of these days I'll have to come bother you up in Winters!

Thanks. I know allot but I always feel I have even more to learn from others around me. A day that I don't learn something was a half waisted day!

My shop is just a 25x45 concrete building that was built around 1920 or so. It was the original carriage house for working on horse and buggy's back in the day. It is very cluttered (full of tools, parts and cars) and needs a second story added on soon. I have the plans drawn up for the second floor and over half the metal for it but I just don't have the time to do it right now or the break in builds to be down for as long as it will take. I will happen in the next few years before I go full time at fabricating because I will need a place for the other sheet metal fabricating tools I need to get like the English wheel, power Bead roller, shrinker and stretchers and so on. My classes next week will be with Lazzy who is an amazing metal former and it should be a great class.

Also I have Friday off so I hope to get the door just about finished up so I can start on the back half chop


Kevin
LFD Inc.


Here are a few more pics from my last class. It is a 37 sedan, glass body, tube chassis, 2000 Norstar rear mounted V8 and way too much time. This car was not built by Dominator but by a home builder that spent 7yrs and I don't even want to know how much money.









Notice the radiator hose's and were they go!

[Rokcrln]

Well the door is turning out good and should be finished by Sunday if all goes well. I had to take a slice out of the door skin to get the profile just right. I decided to use my Tig welder for this job (guess I was feeling Lucky) but I have never really Tig'd body panels just some brackets and "Play stuff". I guess luck was on my side because it turned out great and after some time of Tacking, Dollying, Tacking, Dollying and after about two hours it will only need a few good cotes of fill primmer and blocking.

Kevin
LFD Inc.











Now I am starting on the rear jamb before I tackle the upper window rail.

[Painter D]

Nice work ,and craftsmanship.

[noteron]

badazz az alwayz!!! Stop making it look so easy... Im starting to think I can do it too...

[BlueJeep]

What's the blue stuff on the door?

Do you dolly after each tack, or after a series? Is the procedure with the TIG similar to that of the MIG? I also have a TIG that I've only played with a little bit, practice pieces and a few tube adapters. I want to get good with it, but can't seem to find the time to practice.

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by noteron

badazz az alwayz!!! Stop making it look so easy... Im starting to think I can do it too...

But it is real easy. All I do is push these projects into the shop, close the door and it just happens. Doesent your shop work the same way But really thanks it has been along road but one anyone can take. Just give it a shot and it will start getting easier.

Originally Posted by BlueJeep

What's the blue stuff on the door?

Do you dolly after each tack, or after a series? Is the procedure with the TIG similar to that of the MIG? I also have a TIG that I've only played with a little bit, practice pieces and a few tube adapters. I want to get good with it, but can't seem to find the time to practice.

The blue stuff is a machinist dye used for doing layout on steel. It is super thin almost like a stain and not a paint. I then take a body file and go over the area to knock down any hi spots then I run a long board with 80 grit over the area to see were things are. Then I know what to do from their to get the best metal finish that I can do at this point in time because it is a new process for me.

Tig is far superior to Mig for doing body work because the welds are softer and they can be worked with a hammer and dolly much better then Mig can. Also a proper Tig weld is much flatter then Mig and this means less grinding to get it flat and that means less heat and less work hardening. As far as do I hammer and dolly each tack or after a few it just depends on what it is that I am doing.

Kevin
LFD Inc.


Well it is really starting to take shape now. I started and finished the upper rail tonight and started tacking the door together. I still have allot of work to do before it is finished but I can sure see the light now.



I used shims for spacers to keep the gap even.



More Tig welds.