New to Metal Shaping in North Florida

[fordlover]

My name is Chuck and I love old cars. I live North of Tallahassee, Fl and just retired in Feb 2014. I was a programmer automating accounting processes for 25 years.
I built by first hot rod (48 ford) at 14. I also restored a 35 Chev sedan and a 59 Pontiac Bonneville. I had an automotive repair shop for 15 years in the Southwest working on mostly imports but racing hot boats and dirt track. I raced late model dirt track for 20 years building the cars myself. In the middle of all that I raised 4 beautiful daughters that are doing quite well for themselves and were a great pit crew.
In 1988 I built my first dream garage that was 35x55 to build my dirt cars were I live in Florida. I never had the money to put in a lift or have a lot of expensive tools except for my Snap-on toolbox. That lasted for 6 years, got divorced and in a fit of rage sold my entire shop, property, and house . Dumbest thing I've done. After retiring, I wanted to back to my love of working on cars.
I was lucky to find a 40x100 warehouse that had been sitting empty for over 15 years and even luckier that the owner agreed to rent it for $500mo. I spent most of 2013 repurchasing tools (good grief how expensive tools have gotten) and getting some deals on a couple of cars. Now, I had a place to put them and work out of the weather. I found to 63 Rancheros (one is a real rust bucket) and a 33 Plymouth fordor (almost no rust). Last month I ran across a sheet metal/machine shop going out of business and got some equipment real cheap amoung which was a Roper Whitney magnabend (magnetic sheet metal box brake), and bead roller. I bought sone body hammers and sand bag but not sure what other equipment I'll need.
So now, I am trying to learn how to work metal. I have never done body work . I made some panels for the race car but mostly used fiberglass body panels. I joined this thread to hopefully learn how to do metal shaping correctly. The one ranchero needs floor pans, wheel wells, inter-panels, and a lot of metal shaping. I hope this forum can shorten my learning curve.

[David Gardiner]

Welcome to allmetalshaping Chuck.

Doing thongs properly seems to be a subjective matter. I try to do repairs to the best of my ability. I think that is all you can do. If you want to learn it takes dedication and practice.

David

[HEATNBEAT]

Hi Chuck and welcome!

[doug_walter2002]

Welcome Chuck, a friend of mine just finished a 33 Plymouth 4 dr.
He too started with a rust free car.

[fordlover]

Doug,
I know this is not the forum for cars but do you think used 33 fordor parts are available any better in your neck of the woods. I am needing 3 interior door handles and window cranks, trim pieces, tail light assembly, steering drag-link, front seat, and pics of how the radiator shell mounts. I got the 33 with the front sheet metal removed and the interior stripped. I have 2 orig 33 trans, drive-shaft, steering, starter, and generator for sell/trade.

Did your friend restore it original including drive-line or put a modern drive-line in. Did he used the front stock suspension or change it. I am having trouble deciding whether to cut the firewall to move the engine back to clear the stock steering or change the front suspension completely. That is just more metal work besides the rusted floor panels and roof and fenders (minor cracks/dents). Thanks

[Peter Tommasini]

Hi Chuck welcome to the forum
Peter

[HEATNBEAT]

Hi Chuck and welcome!

[Jere]

Hello Chuck and welcome to the site.

Ask questions and post pictures of what you are trying to do in sheet metal and you will find the answer here.

Jere