Hello all, my name is Chris and I'm a heavy equipment mechanic. Been a lurker on here a long time but after reading through Robert's shop thread I thought I'd post what his inspiration has caused.
I got this 52 chevy pickup from my first welding instructor when I was 18. He started the chop on it. I got in over my head and it sat for 12 years. After reading through some of Robert's tutorials I thought "that makes so much sense I bet I can do that"
So here's what I started with. I have a parts truck that is all twisted i can use for patch panels.
so first part was removing the inner panels and cutting out the roof section,
figuring it would be easier to work the welds along the edge of the roof instead dead across the middle (highlighted for emphasis)
Compare the two views of the roof above. As you can see, once the roof skin is sliced down the middle all of the gentle, low crown support of the roof is gone. Just to the side of the middle cuts, the crown also loses some of it's support here as well, and things flop around like a wet noodle. So Chris' choice to use another truck as a donor, and keep this center crown intact is spot on. Any welds should be at/near the highest crown of the panel as possible, out near the corners, to help control any distortion and also to maintain as much of the center support as you can of the low crown in the panel. The seam running adjacent to or down through the center of the high crown is exactly where it should be, and the end result is less effort used in hammer and dolly work, and the low crown has been untouched, so it saves all that work to try and restore it..
Note the consistent spacing used in tacking the panels in initially, and then the beautiful TIG welds that follow. I think most people starting such an undertaking like this project will use MIG welding as we get our feet wet, and may or may not "graduate" to using TIG or OA gas welding. The above pictures show why one should strive for using TIG over a MIG weld. Nice consistent pass, MINIMAL distortion, softer weld for planishing, and for the full penetration weld shown, MUCH LESS weld proud to dress off.. As the after pictures below indicate, the panels still maintains the overall shape, no discernable warping/distortion, very nice work. Also note minimal to non-existent gap between the panels. Tighter fit-up means less movement when welds cool (shrink) and try to pull the panels together.
These views from the rear really tell the tale. All of the consistency in tight fitting gaps, tacks to hold the panels, consistent TIG welds, all come together when you view this from the back and see a nice balanced / symmetrical shape from one side to the other. Well done Chris!!
first I made a template with blue tape
the outer ring is 5" across and the new pump is 2 3/4 so I marked center and layer out for the inner ring
then pulled the tape off, transferred it to some plate, center punched and drilled
