Last week I was in the mood to grind.
It's one of those little addictions that have been on hold
since moving from the shop.
Even though the green 40 has a ton of work left,
at the time I was waiting for parts,
which was a great excuse to work on the rusty 40.
This column support has been transferred from box to box for years.
It seemed like the perfect piece to use on for this project.
After a couple minutes with the grinder,
the piece was roughed in.
It reminded me of the guy that makes sculptures with a chainsaw,
crude but effective.
There was just enough time to address the gaping holes.
I tested welding the cast iron with some 309 SS TIG rod,
and it appeared seamless after grinding.
The hole was welded up using a stainless washer.
Either time or patience was running out,
and this was the end result.
That's the toughest part of any project,
knowing when to throw more time in for perfection,
or being a hack and knowing when to let it slide.
This was going to be rattle-canned and not chromed,
so it was an easy choice.
The first topcoat of shiny black paint was ruined after some fitting issues,
and the end result was more or less a hammered finish.
I actually like it better,
my inner rat-rodder!
I lost count how many times the keyway lock fell into this hole.
Fortunately there was a bearing high up in the column.
The tip here is taping a magnet to the end of a screwdriver.
I'm happy with the end result,
as it blends in with the curves of the dash.
Yet another reason why this car is taking so long!
Once the steering is finished in the green 40,
the plan is to swap spaces and slip this one in the garage,
where it will be much easier to finish up the sheetmetal welding...
TP
It's one of those little addictions that have been on hold
since moving from the shop.
 |
| custom 1940 ford dash |
Even though the green 40 has a ton of work left,
at the time I was waiting for parts,
which was a great excuse to work on the rusty 40.
 |
| original 1940? ford column support donor |
This column support has been transferred from box to box for years.
It seemed like the perfect piece to use on for this project.
 |
| column back side |
After a couple minutes with the grinder,
the piece was roughed in.
It reminded me of the guy that makes sculptures with a chainsaw,
crude but effective.
 |
| roughed in |
There was just enough time to address the gaping holes.
 |
| holey chit |
I tested welding the cast iron with some 309 SS TIG rod,
and it appeared seamless after grinding.
The hole was welded up using a stainless washer.
 |
| filled |
Either time or patience was running out,
and this was the end result.
That's the toughest part of any project,
knowing when to throw more time in for perfection,
or being a hack and knowing when to let it slide.
 |
| hack job |
This was going to be rattle-canned and not chromed,
so it was an easy choice.
 |
| modified 1940 ford column support |
The first topcoat of shiny black paint was ruined after some fitting issues,
and the end result was more or less a hammered finish.
I actually like it better,
my inner rat-rodder!
 |
| tools of the trade |
I lost count how many times the keyway lock fell into this hole.
Fortunately there was a bearing high up in the column.
The tip here is taping a magnet to the end of a screwdriver.
 |
| 1940 ford custom dash |
I'm happy with the end result,
as it blends in with the curves of the dash.
Yet another reason why this car is taking so long!
Once the steering is finished in the green 40,
the plan is to swap spaces and slip this one in the garage,
where it will be much easier to finish up the sheetmetal welding...
TP
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