Chevy pick up restoration

[tech69]

You're getting better with the videos. But you have to get more "how to" if that is what you are after. It is still sort of a overall sort of thing. Skip the long intro, we don't care. And for goodness sakes put the text larger and leave it up longer. I honestly didn't read half of what you put up you would need to be a speed reader with a magnifying glass to read it!

You did ask for a critique right? Where in the heck are your large C clamps and for God's sake your welding helmet????? The UV will go THRU your eye lids there Henry, you want to be able to see your grandkids dude, protect yourself. But the C clamps, there are up to 24" Vicegrip C clamps that would make that job SOOOOOOO much easier.

Quite honestly, if I were Len I would remove the video that shows a guy welding without a helmet on. THAT is how serious that is.

Brian

I only not use a helmet when I'm doing the first few tacks. I have determined that a lot of shifting can take place within that time frame of me putting on the helmet and tacking, so I do it without one til I'm confident it is lined up ok. Banning the video for that would be overly anal and would just prove some people are nitpicking and will find ANY reason to say something discouraging but I take it with a grain of salt.

As far as clamping it down, I needed it to be "freefloating" til I was confident no more shifting was needed for the open butt weld up front. There was a scene I didn't have enough youtube time for and it showed me then using taping screws once I didn't need it to shift cause of line up issues. At that point the shifting caused a corner of the flanged area to be wrong so I tweaked it once I realized it wouldn't tweak the open butt weld up front. My thought process behind it wouldn't have allowed for clamps. It had to be freefloating.

[Len]

I only not use a helmet when I'm doing the first few tacks. I have determined that a lot of shifting can take place within that time frame of me putting on the helmet and tacking, so I do it without one til I'm confident it is lined up ok. Banning the video for that would be overly anal and would just prove some people are nitpicking and will find ANY reason to say something discouraging but I take it with a grain of salt.

As far as clamping it down, I needed it to be "freefloating" til I was confident no more shifting was needed for the open butt weld up front. There was a scene I didn't have enough youtube time for and it showed me then using taping screws once I didn't need it to shift cause of line up issues. At that point the shifting caused a corner of the flanged area to be wrong so I tweaked it once I realized it wouldn't tweak the open butt weld up front. My thought process behind it wouldn't have allowed for clamps. It had to be freefloating.

Henry
You're so inexperienced (or hard headed) that you don't know good information from bad information. Someone may pick up something from your videos but chances are they will pick up more bad info than good including NOT using eye protection when welding. When Brian talks you should be listening because he has seen more repairs of this type than you've seen days in this business. Maybe you should grow up a little before you post more videos.

[MARTINSR]

I only not use a helmet when I'm doing the first few tacks. I have determined that a lot of shifting can take place within that time frame of me putting on the helmet and tacking, so I do it without one til I'm confident it is lined up ok. Banning the video for that would be overly anal and would just prove some people are nitpicking and will find ANY reason to say something discouraging but I take it with a grain of salt..

Henry, as far as the helmet goes, get yourself a good helmet. Personally I use an Accustrike and wouldn't weld without it. http://www.accustrike.com/ An auto dark of course is another option but I HATE them, to each his own. You have learned to do things a certain way and sometimes it is just "another way" and neither of us is right or wrong. But this, I have to tell you, you are young, and like I was when I was young, I took chances thinking it didn't matter. I know a LOT of old bodymen who's bodies are all busted up, eyes nearly blind, backs and knees all screwed up. I was lucky enough to start listening to people, all because of one particular lady in a nearby machine shop who explained some things to me about this. I started watching myself a lot more, this was 30 years ago and I am DAMN THANKFUL I did. I have used creepers, mats to kneel on, ear protection, respirators, eye protection, etc pretty regularly (but still not enough!). I am 52 and can take off on a hike at a near by peak and climb 2400 ft in about an hour and twenty minutes. I have done it 5 times this year so far. I can grab a hood or door and put it over my head and walk across the property to go throw it in the metal bin. I can drop and do finger tip or one hand pushups at ease. I know of NO OTHER 52 year old bodyman who can do this as easily as I can. I have had guys work with me who at my age were DONE, I mean D-O-N-E, finished, lucky to go on a friggin walk around the block. Watch yourself Henry, you don't get do-overs with your health. You don't get to correct broken down bodies like you can cars when they are 50 years old.

I said Len should take it off, not because it is such a big deal. It's like a wrinkled frame rail on a car, around the shop we will always say "I would pull it and repair if it were my car, but for a customer, NO WAY, it gets replaced". Lens exposure to a law suit is real, the liability is REAL.

As far as clamping it down, I needed it to be "freefloating" til I was confident no more shifting was needed for the open butt weld up front. There was a scene I didn't have enough youtube time for and it showed me then using taping screws once I didn't need it to shift cause of line up issues. At that point the shifting caused a corner of the flanged area to be wrong so I tweaked it once I realized it wouldn't tweak the open butt weld up front. My thought process behind it wouldn't have allowed for clamps. It had to be freefloating.

If you clamp the part in so the butt matches up, it won't shift. Clamp it where you want it and weld it.

Brian

[tech69]

Henry, as far as the helmet goes, get yourself a good helmet. Personally I use an Accustrike and wouldn't weld without it. http://www.accustrike.com/ An auto dark of course is another option but I HATE them, to each his own. You have learned to do things a certain way and sometimes it is just "another way" and neither of us is right or wrong. But this, I have to tell you, you are young, and like I was when I was young, I took chances thinking it didn't matter. I know a LOT of old bodymen who's bodies are all busted up, eyes nearly blind, backs and knees all screwed up. I was lucky enough to start listening to people, all because of one particular lady in a nearby machine shop who explained some things to me about this. I started watching myself a lot more, this was 30 years ago and I am DAMN THANKFUL I did. I have used creepers, mats to kneel on, ear protection, respirators, eye protection, etc pretty regularly (but still not enough!). I am 52 and can take off on a hike at a near by peak and climb 2400 ft in about an hour and twenty minutes. I have done it 5 times this year so far. I can grab a hood or door and put it over my head and walk across the property to go throw it in the metal bin. I can drop and do finger tip or one hand pushups at ease. I know of NO OTHER 52 year old bodyman who can do this as easily as I can. I have had guys work with me who at my age were DONE, I mean D-O-N-E, finished, lucky to go on a friggin walk around the block. Watch yourself Henry, you don't get do-overs with your health. You don't get to correct broken down bodies like you can cars when they are 50 years old.

I said Len should take it off, not because it is such a big deal. It's like a wrinkled frame rail on a car, around the shop we will always say "I would pull it and repair if it were my car, but for a customer, NO WAY, it gets replaced". Lens exposure to a law suit is real, the liability is REAL.




If you clamp the part in so the butt matches up, it won't shift. Clamp it where you want it and weld it.

Brian

Ok, I see what you're saying now. I thought you were referring to the other areas that were allowed to float. You are soo right about that. Just don't have a full set of tools for that, let alone good clamps. I'm just recently hitting the journeyman side of things and so I'm still in need of the tools that go along with the change of operation. It's a whole new ballgame.

You're right about health but I think there's no saving me. I love the trade too much. I don't even hand feel with gloves cause I don't like them. So I have no prints on the joints in my hands. I will rethink that approach though. The good thing is, fiillers don't sand like they used to and tools and better procedures, equipment, etc, will at least help somewhat. For my shoulders anyways but I never thought about kneeling down and things like that. Good point. Thanks for that.

[Len]

criticizing is one thing but this is more about maintaining the pecking order and frat mentality around here. If the responses were more genuine, or in otherwords, something I can't see thru, than I can understand.

Maybe when you do this for a few more years you'll recognize the talent and lack of talent that others refuse to recognize. That's how the "pecking order" around here is determined.

[MARTINSR]

Ok, I see what you're saying now. I thought you were referring to the other areas that were allowed to float. You are soo right about that. Just don't have a full set of tools for that, let alone good clamps. I'm just recently hitting the journeyman side of things and so I'm still in need of the tools that go along with the change of operation. It's a whole new ballgame.

You're right about health but I think there's no saving me. I love the trade too much. I don't even hand feel with gloves cause I don't like them. So I have no prints on the joints in my hands. I will rethink that approach though. The good thing is, fiillers don't sand like they used to and tools and better procedures, equipment, etc, will at least help somewhat. For my shoulders anyways but I never thought about kneeling down and things like that. Good point. Thanks for that.

Start picking up the large Vice Grips, they are GOLD when doing those kind of jobs. I swear, if I had a hundred pairs I think I would find them in use at one time.

Sure, feeling filler bare handed is the only way, I can't do it with gloves either. I will mix and spread filler with latex gloves on, but that is it. Listen, how much you love this work has nothing to do with protecting yourself. Other than the fact that the more you protect yourself the LONGER you will be able to enjoy it!
Get yourself a few pairs good ear muffs. Here are some as low as $11


Even these are better than nothing.



But I rarely use them, opting for the ear muffs.

I have a few pairs of some similar to these Stereo Ear Muffs The ones I have were about $45 at an ACE hardware store.

Having a few pairs of these sitting around the shop will ensure that you won't work with some air tool "just for a little bit" and leave off your protection. Have them within arms reach and you are always protected.

As far as eye protection, I wear glasses so I am limited to something like this.


These in particular are chemical resistant as well. But common goggles similar to these can be had for only a few bucks each on sale at the hardware store. Again, I have them all over the shop so I only have to reach out to grab a pair.

Good dust masks, oh my God when I think of how much I sanded with those stupid single strap ones. Now these are the VERY minimum I will use.


And again, I buy the box of them and make sure I use them, keeping them at hand at all times.

To be continued.....

[tech69]

Start picking up the large Vice Grips, they are GOLD when doing those kind of jobs. I swear, if I had a hundred pairs I think I would find them in use at one time.

Sure, feeling filler bare handed is the only way, I can't do it with gloves either. I will mix and spread filler with latex gloves on, but that is it. Listen, how much you love this work has nothing to do with protecting yourself. Other than the fact that the more you protect yourself the LONGER you will be able to enjoy it!
Get yourself a few pairs good ear muffs. Here are some as low as $11


Even these are better than nothing.



But I rarely use them, opting for the ear muffs.

I have a few pairs of some similar to these Stereo Ear Muffs The ones I have were about $45 at an ACE hardware store.

Having a few pairs of these sitting around the shop will ensure that you won't work with some air tool "just for a little bit" and leave off your protection. Have them within arms reach and you are always protected.

As far as eye protection, I wear glasses so I am limited to something like this.


These in particular are chemical resistant as well. But common goggles similar to these can be had for only a few bucks each on sale at the hardware store. Again, I have them all over the shop so I only have to reach out to grab a pair.

Good dust masks, oh my God when I think of how much I sanded with those stupid single strap ones. Now these are the VERY minimum I will use.


And again, I buy the box of them and make sure I use them, keeping them at hand at all times.

To be continued.....

I have already noticed differences in my hearing but I think that has to do with pumping myself up with my walkman before skating. I did that for years. Not sure if it has to do with work but have noticed you don't really think about noise being an issue til you're doing something loud and have them on. At that moment you feel more comfortable as if the noise subconsciously bothers you in a way but you don't realize it til you have ear protection. Thanks for the reminder.

[MARTINSR]

To kneel on something besides the concrete is really important. I used knee pads for a while, they were kind of a pain, uncomfortable, you have to make an effort to put them on, so often they were ignored. I started making matts from the foam they wrap a new bumper in, that works good. A carpet like this from the trunk of a total are nice.


I don't let a total leave the shop with one and have made sure every tech has one.

A quality creeper is a must. I have one of these Lisle low profile ones. They are the only way to fly if you ask me.


On that spot weld drilling, I am sorry but there is NO WAY I am going to work without a Spitsnagle spot weld drill.


There is simply NO WAY I am going to work without it. You can remove a spot weld with virtually zero cut into the metal below. You use next to zero effort because it's bit is pushed into the metal by air! You simply place the tool in place and pull the trigger and it does all the work for you. You dial in the depth to go and wham, you can drill hole after hole in perfection.

Start buying quality tools that save your back, you will be very thankful in twenty or thirty years.

Brian

[MARTINSR]

When I used to go to the drags I called the people wimps who were with ear protection on. The last time I went to the top fuel races a couple of summers ago I brought my ear muffs for me and my son. I had never enjoyed the drags like that before! Those top fuelers will blow your friggin brains out! With those ear muffs we stood right at the fence at the 60 ft mark and enjoyed the feeling of the power without our ears hurting.

Brian

[Len]

all I'm hearing/reading are words... and a few glimpses of reality.

http://autobodystore.com/forum/attac...8&d=1232564009

So, are you a better welder than me? Answer honestly. Are YOU a better welder than me?

Yes, I probably am a better welder but I hired a guy who is even better than me.

[tech69]

Now it's "probably"? yeah, I'll just take your word for it cause the pic is probably lying.

[Len]

Now it's "probably"? yeah, I'll just take your word for it cause the pic is probably lying.

What picture is "probably" lying?

[tech69]

Are you saying that pic of yours displays better welding than mine?

This pic right here...

http://autobodystore.com/forum/attac...8&d=1232564009

I can see you deleted the pic... good thing I saved it on my hard drive...



I have more on my hard drive but I don't like putting you on the spot like that, but you
are forcing me too. Just delete the back and forths cause I can see how embarassing
this can be for you being you deleted the pic. let's move on and we'll never go here
again...agreed? Just know, I stand 100% behind my work and when I'm not so
sure of it, I have enough confidence to be open about it. My work speaks for itself.

[Len]

Are you saying that pic of yours displays better welding than mine?

This pic right here...

http://autobodystore.com/forum/attac...8&d=1232564009

I can see you deleted the pic... good thing I saved it on my hard drive...



I have more on my hard drive but I don't like putting you on the spot like that, but you
are forcing me too. Just delete the back and forths and let's move on and we'll never go here
again...agreed?

The back and forth shows how much of an amateur you are and you should try to LEARN more before you give people advice. This "I'm the best attitude" is one of the reasons you've had to change your user ID several times and you've been tossed off this board several times. Keep up the BS and you'll be gone permanently.

The picture you posted is my helper that never did a patch before and ended up punching holes in both sides of the backing strip before he was corrected. The job came out great even though he had some extra welding to do. Maybe you should take some lessons from him because he's a decent welder now. My other helper has had a welding job before he came here and he's a magician with my Lincoln.

[Len]

so, you're allowed to dictate how much better than you are then me with words yet when you get presented with proof that says otherwise I'm the one that's bullshitting?

How does that work out? Just delete the back and forths. I never wanted to go here.
You just have a problem with me having an opinion and I'm tiring of having to kiss your
butt when your pics speak otherwise.

If you're such an expert what do you see that is wrong with that picture?