Chopped 51 Merc Build

[nine4gmc]

Keep pushing Duke, you're doing great!

 

[Duke55]

Not as far as I planned but that's pretty typical.

Cleaned up under the back window. Little patch prior to welding. Also welded lower seam to the center of the car.



Started to clean up door posts but didn't finish.



Quick video showing handheld p-hammer in action on TIG welded seam of 18ga steel.
https://vimeo.com/199573333


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[C_F]

Quick video showing handheld p-hammer in action on TIG welded seam of 18ga steel.

Thanks for showing that, I was just about to ask a bunch of questions as to how it worked. It works pretty slick!

I swear I posted in this thread previously, but going back through, I see I haven't. It's hell getting old. Anyway, great work as always, I'm really enjoying watching this car slowly being smoothed out with your skilled hands. Looking forward to continued updates!

 

[Duke55]

Roger (pervious owner of the car I am working on) was looking through custom car pictures on Rik Hoving site and stumbled onto a couple pictures of His previous merc and sent them to me. But cooler than stumbling onto the merc pictures is that the grey chopped XL in the background is my grandpa's. Pictures were taken in 1992.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Piper27]

Beautiful job man, wish I had the skill to do it!

 

[xtremek]

Gramp's ride is sweet. He must of had some awesome skills.

 

[nsula_country]

SUBSCRIBED!!

My little mind is blown. Also read the truck thread... Dude, you have some serious talents!

CT

 

[A**holes Garage]

 

[Duke55]

Thanks guys for the comments. I am finally back to work on the merc after spending a week in Florida for work and dealing with 2.5' of new snow the first few days of last week.

Only minor updates. Small patches in the rear lower fenders. This is the only rust on the car since the front clip sat out side (it was under a roof and on concrete but not completely out of the weather).




Other side



First cut at the lower rear door window radius. The turned flange on this piece is quite a bit wider than the previous ones done. Because of that I will be doing these in two pieces.



Made a small path back to the shop this weekend.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Dr Stan]

That is going to be way beyond cool. Excellent craftsmanship.

 

[C_F]

Ewww, look at all that white ****!

 

[xtremek]

Ewww, look at all that white ****!

It beats what we've been having......mud and ice. At least in my warped mind

 

[oldmxracer]

Stupid question, what do You move Your snow with ?

Love Your work, Thanks for sharing !

 

[Duke55]

I have a old beater 1987 case diesel skid steer that has paid for itself many times over. Normally I'd say I use it 10x as much in the summer lifting and moving things than moving snow in the winter. We'll see if this picture works. One of the only pictures I have of it on my phone is a panorama.


Tried another lower rear corner tonight.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Duke55]

Lower rear door window radius done on both sides.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[txvwnut]

The doors look much better.

 

[E12-535iTurbo]

I love it Duke! Thank you for sharing!

 

[MP&C]

You're almost ready for paint!

 

[Duke55]

You're almost ready for paint!

Ha. Haven't even started the custom work yet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[C_F]

The doors look much better.

They sure do! So does the whole car, for that matter.

 

[hedgehog]

Super impressed, i love the sanded look to. It would look assume "brushed" then cleared

 

[Duke55]

Thanks for all the comments and taking the time to look.

Spent another week on travel but was able to get out and work today.

I built a deeper throat frame for the p-hammer.



Then I spent the rest of the day wheeling and cussing this panel. I would really like to make a few panels with someone who really knows the wheel to teach me a few things.

I guess I should quit complaining, at least I don't have to throw the panel away and start over.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[E12-535iTurbo]

Ask this guy: http://www.invisionprototypes.com/index.html

He's on metalmeet and a few other forums too. To me he is how I imaging god would be with a wheeling machine. He's also very approachable, always answers questions.

If you like to read: http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/157335/next-scratchbuilt-mid-engine-sports

 

[Duke55]

Didn't quite finish this panel today but it's getting close. Can't reach all the welds with the p-hammer so I still need to do a few sections by hand.












Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[C_F]

Nice work! It's rapidly losing the "Frankenstein" look on the roof.

 

[MP&C]

Looking much better!

 

[kdouglas]

very nice

 

[Duke55]

Milking the roof some more.














Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MP&C]

Much better! How do you like the shrinking disc?

 

[Duke55]

Thanks Robert. As for the shrinking disc I don't know any different so I like it. One of these days I'll order a ribbed disc to try.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MP&C]

Is that one from Proshaper/Wray Schelin?

 

[Duke55]

No I bought it off eBay from wolfs metal fabrication but it looks to be the same design.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Duke55]

Made a couple 2" diameter p-hammer dies that work really good on big open panels. Need to spend a day and machine a bunch of dies.



Done some work on the drivers side quarter panel. This little slit section is how someone fixed a crease then leaded over the slit.







This section was badly pitted.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MP&C]

Keep this up, you'll need to take it to the first show in bare steel!

 

[Duke55]

That won't be happening with this one. I will get there on one of my future projects after a bit more practice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Duke55]

Filled the gas door and smoothed trunk lid.



Straighten rear bumper, narrowed and installed a Pontiac overrider.



Scored an Aloris CXA tool post set for the lathe.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wasfast]

Incredible as usual. Have you got a color scheme in mind for the '51? Certainly can't go wrong with the Aloris quick change setup. They've been around forever and just work.

 

[Duke55]

Incredible as usual. Have you got a color scheme in mind for the '51? Certainly can't go wrong with the Aloris quick change setup. They've been around forever and just work.

Currently leaning towards a solid off white and light blue fine metallic flake two tone. Thinking a clean classy look which is a bit different for me.

Can't wait to install and use the Aloris. Huge step up over what came with the lathe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MP&C]

Here I just knew we'd see another awesome kandy finish....

 

[-Brent-]

I love this build. That rear bumper is perfect.