Finally back to work in the shop My C.O.E.

[80WTI_55_CHEV]

That came up a treat Don, have you ever used citric acid to dip the rusty items into first to kill all the rust and bring the metal back to a clean bit of metal Don? Very cheap and easy, Takes about 2 days in the acid and you have a brand new bit of metal with just some holes to repair. Lee

 

[don long]

No Lee
I have always just sand blasted or ground the metal
I will have to try it some time

 

[BigMike782]

Your making great progress.....this is going to be an awesome truck!

 

[don long]

Thanks Mike
It is going slower than I would like .
I have been suffering from verdego and haven't been able to work for the last week hope it goes away soon I need my shop time.

 

[southernfriedcj]

This next photo is a picture of 65 Ford crewcab that was my dads daily driver. It had a 429 in it and it pulled itself and many trailers down the road very good. My dad gathered up several 429's over the years. I built one for a 76 F100 I drove in high-school. There is a big boat mercury at my moms house that has a 429 under the hood, one in the back seat and two in the truck.

This truck has been painted and driven as a daily driver since 1995 (only driven 5-6 times in the last 3.5 yrs since he passed away).

I love your truck!

 

[don long]

It has been quite a while since I have had anything to post.
I've been working on my sand blast cabin, trying to get it to work properly
First the 10 horse compressor was too small to keep up with the blast unit
Then I found a 185 cfm pull behind compressor that a friend of a brother or my friend wanted to sell so a 150 mile round trip to get the damn thing and it won't stay running for more than 10 minutes and it takes 5 minutes to suit up so after fighting that for 2 days I found a place in Los Angeles that had a few big compressors and bought a 175 cfm box (not a drag behind) and brought it home yesterday.
It ran at the yard but when I got it home and on the ground it fought me for about 10 minutes before it finally started I let it run for 30 minutes it sounds very solid and no oil leaks and pushes 130 psi of clean air.
I'm stoked so I turn it off start it again in about 1 minute, turn it off 3 times and it started right up again
So it is time to put it in its place to run the sand blast cabin and DAMN if it won't start again.
So I load it back up on my truck and take it to my mechanic friend and ask him to service my truck and figure out why the compressor won't start.
and wouldn't you know it the crazy thing started right up again
So I'll bring it home tomorrow and start over again.

Here is a few shots of the blasting cabin

 

[1/2 Cup]

Nice work on the sandblasting cabin Don, really practical.
What are you using for ventilation??

 

[don long]

I want to sand blast the hood and front fenders of the truck so I can start the body work on them If all works out well I will pull down the cab of the truck and stick it in the blast box and have at it after the fenders are done

I has a sheet of 18 gage metal sheered into 4 pieces 26" x 48" to start rolling the corners of the sleeper

 

[don long]

Nice work on the sandblasting cabin Don, really practical.
What are you using for ventilation??

1/2 Cup
I put a suction fan from a paint mixing room on the roof of the box
Then I put a canvas bag on the end of the exaust tube to catch the dust
Will take a pic. and post it later today

 

[MP&C]

Don, as a suggestion, find a throw-away fender or hood to practice on in order to get your machine dialed in. Too much pressure, too coarse a media will quickly combine to form a stretching/warping machine.

If you're well versed in this media blasting already, disregard. Nice blasting booth, btw...

 

[HOTFR8]

Don, as a suggestion, find a throw-away fender or hood to practice on in order to get your machine dialed in. Too much pressure, too coarse a media will quickly combine to form a stretching/warping machine.

If you're well versed in this media blasting already, disregard. Nice blasting booth, btw...

I have seen many a good project ruined do to being heavy handed on the blaster. Can only add this is very good advice.

 

[don long]

Thanks guys
The only problem I have been having is getting a consistent flow of air at 65 psi

I am using a garnet media and a higher psi air flow would break down the media faster.

The trick is getting a larger volume of air not higher air pressure. That's why the need for a bigger compressor More volume means larger hose with fewer restrictions

The new compressor is back home and in place ready for service
It had a bad safety switch that kept sticking

the latest shot of the blast cabin with the air make up hanging off the roof

 

[IndyGarage]

Oh my - a sandblast cabin!

For that you might get voted to the GJ hall of fame...

 

[BigMike782]

I kept thinking your were talking about a sand blast cabinET.....that's more like a sand blasting warehouse,that thing is AWESOME!!

 

[bazzateer]

Just checked back in on this thread - great progress as usual.

One thing springs to mind though, with all the modifications you're having to make to the sleeper etc, I wonder if it would have been easier to build one from scratch? This is most definitely NOT a criticism, just a thought that cropped up in my mind.

 

[don long]

Haven't been working out in the work shop this last week
I've been working in the party garage getting ready for a wedding
in a couple weeks

bazzateer
I laughed a bit after reading your post
I almost have to agree with you about building the sleeper area from scratch
However with the framework in place I think it is easier to just do a bit of skin work and not reinvent the whole thing
Time will tell

Thanks for checking in and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL

 

[Wanna Ride]

So envious of this entire build, despite the distractions from the project. But I gotta admit, when you get distracted, you do it for good reason... most guys build or buy a blast cabinet... you get distracted and build a blast house... or buy a forklift.

Awesome stuff, but please keep on posting the pics. Love the old cabovers, this thread is awesome!

 

[blackhawkdriver]

I have a picture of the same COE from a show in Portland Oregon.



This next photo is a picture of 65 Ford crewcab that was my dads daily driver. It had a 429 in it and it pulled itself and many trailers down the road very good. My dad gathered up several 429's over the years. I built one for a 76 F100 I drove in high-school. There is a big boat mercury at my moms house that has a 429 under the hood, one in the back seat and two in the truck.

This truck has been painted and driven as a daily driver since 1995 (only driven 5-6 times in the last 3.5 yrs since he passed away).

Man that Crew cab Ford is. I would love to have one of those. I'd probably baby it too much tho.

 

[don long]

Well I just hate it
I have been planning on working on the Coe since the first of the year and have managed to squeeze out about 4 hours so far this year between getting the place ready for a wedding reception and some yard work.

I did manage to get the sand blast cabin working very well and did manage to blast the hood and one skirt for the truck
and build the frame mounts for the sleeper

I had planned on working all day on the truck BUT
I am having carpet installed in the game room and the carpet layers wanted (needed ) the shuffle board disassembled and taken down from the mezinine
so as long as it is apart and down I guess it's time to restore it

 

[don long]

Todays project

 

[JonBoehman]

Nice Shuffle board. I would love to build one for my shop.

 

[MP&C]

Only problem is Don will be playing shuffleboard instead of working on the truck!

 

[justbummin1]

Its been 3 weeks since we have had any updates! At Don's pace he could have built a whole city in that amount of time so I hope everything is ok with him

Rob

 

[don long]

Hey Guys
I'm still alive and playing with toooo many projects

The game room (man cave) is finished. The ceiling and outside back wall got tin on it and the carpet is in and the room is back together less the shuffle board

The shuffle board is totally disassembled, new wood cut for rebuilding the bed
The shuffle board surface has been stripped and 2 coats of epoxy has been applied to it (4 more coats needed)

I have spent a few hours on the truck sand blasting and today I started working on the sleeper side extensions

I had to establish the bottom line for the sleeper which will be the same height as the bottom of the step.
The step was longer than the space between the fender and the sleeper so I had to take 3 inches out of the center of the step.

Then I sand blasted the step and fit it into place

I built the bottom of the sleeper and hung it in place

Next I welded angle iron to the top and bottom plates of the sleeper so that I can start shaping the outer skin and attaching it to the cab and sleeper making them one unit

You can see the angle iron in the first picture
Hopefully I will find more time to work on the truck this week

Thanks for the concern and patience
Don

 

[HOTFR8]

I like the progress Don.

 

[don long]

Thanks Simon

Today was a bust. after looking at the right side of the sleeper (where the door is to go) I decided that the opening was to narrow with the support rails where they were. That is where the mount brackets from the sleeper to the frame are mounted It was a tough decision, but the door needed to be wider. So today was spent redoing the support beams and repositioning the frame mounts.

The good thing about today was that I noticed that the space on the left side of the sleeper under the floor will make a fine storage area by building a nice door and walling in the space

The big tube will be moved 3 inches closer to the cab making it possible to build stairs 24" wide

 

[HOTFR8]

Don, with a vehicle like that do not waste any space. All storage space is good even if used to mount things like Stereo Amps or for storage etc.

 

[don long]

Simon I agree
I'm thinking storage for battery, air pump and or maybe the fuse block

The right side space will be used up with stairs into the rear section
(no longer will I call it the sleeper)

 

[HOTFR8]

Simon I agree
I'm thinking storage for battery, air pump and or maybe the fuse block

The right side space will be used up with stairs into the rear section
(no longer will I call it the sleeper)

Don,

May I politely suggest it is not wise to have the battery in there. Keep the battery(s) out side for ventilation. Regulations here required me to mount the batteries behind the sleeper cabin. What about noise from the air pump did you consider that ? You would run a lot of wire for the fuse block but the idea is good as an easy access point and central being a COE cab.
The stairs are a great idea. I have a fold down step under mine mostly used when I show it.

 

[HOTFR8]

Another idea for the battery would be if you sealed off that space from the passengers would be a door with a slide mount that comes out. Have you seen them under trucks and motor homes before ?

 

[9c1nova]

Those battery sliders are also used on ambulance units on the lower part of a compartment used for wiring electrical accessories, invertor etc. with lockable door.
Please post some updated pics of your C.O.E.

Bruce

 

[don long]

Thanks for the ideas guys It's just too good of a space to waste

Very little work has been going on with the COE because of the shuffle board that I had to restore

The good / great news ius that the damn thing is done
Here is a before and after of the unit and a close up of the board before and after

Now on to the truck

 

[A**holes Garage]

I'm enjoying both builds! Fine workmanship!

I'm currently began construction of a 16' shuffleboard and have not found an answer to one of my questions, perhaps you can help?

How is the playing surface secured to the cradle? Does it set directly on the leveling legs and cross members? Is there a plywood base that is cut out to pressure fit the table? Are the compensators wedged against the cut out plywood to prevent it from moving laterally or longitudinally?

Thanks!

 

[don long]

Mr "A"

My board is very heavy and it just sits on a base plate that runs the length of the board and an additional 6" on each end The legs are butted to the base plate but are fastened to the two side runners that screw on the edge under the base plates

Here is a shot with the board removed

Here is a shot of half of my cradle facing down and coming apart

And this last shot is the base board disassembled alog with the head board

and the last shot is both sides of the carriage one in the back is still complete just face down and the onein the left front is a shot of the bed with my new sides going on

Hope that helps

Good luck with your project

Don

 

[A**holes Garage]

Thanks! So the board simply lifted up? No Screws or anchors holding the board down to the base plate?

 

[don long]

Thanks! So the board simply lifted up? No Screws or anchors holding the board down to the base plate?

None, It was a project getting a tie wrap around it though. It's heavy

 

[Sunbimmer]

Don.

you have any idea on the paintscheme for the C.O.E yet, I'm very curious.
Just love what you guys do with your trucks over there in the U.S.
I'm following this, please keep the pics coming Don.
Thanks for sharing

 

[don long]

Don.

you have any idea on the paintscheme for the C.O.E yet, I'm very curious.
Just love what you guys do with your trucks over there in the U.S.
I'm following this, please keep the pics coming Don.
Thanks for sharing

Sunbimmer

As soon as I make any noticable progress on the truck I promise to post pic's
I have been building the body mounts for the sleeper but thats about it.

No color scheme chosen as of yet. Most likely a two tone like candy tangerine and silver (my first thoughts)

I'll keep you posted

Don

 

[don long]

Back on track
I finally spent the day working on the C.O.E.

There were a few unfinished areas that needed attention
1st we had started to finalize the sleeper body mounts
They are now complete

Next was the framework for the lower sleeper areas. Remember that the left side will be a storage area The right side will be the door to the rear of the truck where the stairs will be installed.

I spent the largest part of the day working on the right side, I have a set of rolls but had never used them before today, I rolled the lower front corner of the sleeper and fitted it to the side of the cab

Now that the space between the sleeper and the front fender has been established I can go back to work on the step I will section it about 4 inches
and bolt it up to the kick panel coming down from the cab (it holds the lower front fender in place so the step must be strong

 

[HOTFR8]

Nice work Don.