1936 P/U Metalshaping

[OldGold360]

You all have been really great at answering the questions I have asked regarding my ‘36 pickup that I am building. So I thought I would share what I’m working on this weekend. On my cab, the back panel and roof of my pickup is rough. The damage to my back panel comes up higher than the replacement panels would cover so here is my process I used to build a replacement.

I started out by cutting out my panel and adding some compound shape to it with a sheetmetal power hammer that is only 5 years newer than the truck. I used a couple of body sweeps to check the shape to make sure it’s the same shape as the original. The power hammer does a great job of adding a low crown to the panel without leaving any hammer marks.

 

[OldGold360]

Next I figured out the shape of the lower bead and used modern technology and 3D printed tooling to add the bead to the panel using a pullmax machine.

 

[OldGold360]

After bending the lower edge in the brake, I 3D printed the shape of the bead in the center to add to a simple hammer form I quickly made to bend the edge at the bump in the bead. I clamped to the table and turned the edge using mallets and corking tools.

There are many other ways to complete this process, but this is the way I did it and I am happy with the results. Thanks for looking.

 

[36and63]

Impressive metal working skills - Keep the updates coming on your project.


Pat

 

[deuce5wndw]

You are a very talented metal worker! Keep the progress reports coming!
Dale

 

[Wehill99]

I just spent today working on the same section of my 36 truck!
Unfortunately my shop doesn’t have all the tools that yours does. I purchased the lower edge panel and welded in a large patch panel above mimicking what you have.
Your panel will be much easier to keep flat. I’ll send pictures when finished

 

[Heard]

Ok OldGold, you have the skills and tools I WISH I had. Fess up, I need a little bit about your background. You don't just go buy a power hammer and Pullmax and turn out stuff like this.

BTW....love the mid '30s pickups. I have a '35 I'm working on.

Heard

 

[Lawson Cox]

I just spent today working on the same section of my 36 truck!
Unfortunately my shop doesn’t have all the tools that yours does. I purchased the lower edge panel and welded in a large patch panel above mimicking what you have.
Your panel will be much easier to keep flat. I’ll send pictures when finished

I'm fortunate that the rear of my cab was virtually pristine so all I had to do was sand it. I'm SO glad. I couldn't even do THAT now that I am in my 90th year and virtually useless. LOL

 

[Clem Clement]

Lawson: You are very valuable to us all.
Clem

 

[OldGold360]

Thanks for the kind words. I’ll post some updates as I progress.

Ok OldGold, you have the skills and tools I WISH I had. Fess up, I need a little bit about your background. You don't just go buy a power hammer and Pullmax and turn out stuff like this.

BTW....love the mid '30s pickups. I have a '35 I'm working on.

Heard

Some people probably do, but it’s taken me over 20 years to not only find, but also afford the equipment that I have. I’ve been a full time metalshaper for over 21 years (half my life) and 16 of those years has been self employed. This ‘36 pickup is the first vintage vehicle project I’ve done for myself in 20 years. I figured it was time to build something for myself. Good luck with your ‘35.

 

[Zeke3]

Very nice, thanks for sharing your work with us.

 

[flatford8]

Nice work!....I’ve got a ‘37 for the next project and I’m looking forward to your updates....thanks for taking the the time to post them......Mark

 

[OldGold360]

No problem. Just trying to pitch in around here.

Update: I fit and TIG welded the panel in place this morning. I have some planishing to do on and around the welds, but moving forward nonetheless. If you’re wondering... I did have the cab media blasted and, for the first time, applied Picklex 20 to the cab to prevent flash rust prior to primer. The rear panel of the cab had a strange reaction and almost looks rusted, but don’t worry... I did wire brush the weld seam prior to welding. I don’t know if this is normal for Picklex to do this, but I don’t like what it did. The rest of the cab turned out great. I figured I should use my own personal project as the guinea pig vs testing on a clients project.

 

[hotcoupe]

Nice clean,accurate work. I'm impressed! Thanx for posting, are you a member @ "allmetalshaping".
Tom
Tom

 

[OldGold360]

Nice clean,accurate work. I'm impressed! Thanx for posting, are you a member @ "allmetalshaping".
Tom
Tom

I am, though I am not active on there.

 

[Tinker]

nice work!

 

[corvette8n]

Wow you are very talented, thanks for the pictures, interesting project.

 

[FlatheadTed]

Looks good .

 

[Frank Miller]

I'm lucky to have a friend with a metal shaping shop. I hang out and build stuff at my leisure and in return have access to a bunch of tools. I've had the pleasure of meeting some great people as well.

www.proshaper.com

 

[Frank Miller]

Anyone interested in Wrays youutube channel
Www.youtube.com/c/proshaper
There is an English wheel video i made the frame for. I make a came in the latest shrinking disc video.