[Shop-talk] Amateur Body Work

[John T. Blair]

At 01:41 PM 6/15/2012, Jorge Garcia wrote:

 >I want to remove the rear door and try to pull the damaged cab corner as
 >much as possible before going to a body shop. I am trying to keep costs down
 >as much as possible and stay within a budget before it becomes uneconomical.
 >I would  appreciate any comments, suggesttions and perhaps links to websites
 >on body repair.

Jorge,

I have to agree with Bob!   Body work is black magic.

Don't know where you're located, but you might want to look for a local VoTech
or community college and see if they have some body shop classes.  You might
be able to either enroll in the class and work on your truck as a 
project, or see
if the school will take your truck for the students to learn on.

You might also want to see if the school offers a welding class.  I took a MIG
welding class at the local community college.  Definately worth the 
price.  You'll
go through scrap metal, and welding consumables (gas, and wire) that is worth
more than the class costs!  Most schools offer seperate classes for Oxy, arc,
MIG, and TIG.

As Bob says google body work, and you'll find a ton.  There's a lot of stuff on
Youtube also.  However, a lot of the stuff on youtube leaves a lot to 
be desired.
Again as Bob said, body work is an art that you really need to feel, and have
someone show you the ropes.  I've had a fellow over here working on one of my
cars and say to me, "see that? feel that?"  And no I don't see or feel that.


I've got some simple body work articles on my Morgan web page:
http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/#BODY

But I think you'll need more that what I've got.

One tool Bob didn't mention is a "port-a-power":
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-ton-heavy-duty-portable-hydraulic-equipment-kit-44899.html

Good luck!!!!


John

John T. Blair  WA4OHZ     email:  jblair1948 at cox.net
Va. Beach, Va                  Phone:  (757) 495-8229

           48 TR1800    48 #4 Midget    65 Morgan 4/4 Series V (B1106)
      75 Bricklin SV1 (#0887)    77 Spitfire    71 Saab Sonett III
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