crunch time - sharp engineering's 30 sedan

Ventura Nationals 2015 is coming up next weekend, 

a perfect deadline for a hot rod builder.

It's fun watching another's methods,

how they prioritize each part of the project.

Which is more important,

getting it running,

or making it look like the picture in your head?

In hot rodding that's a 50-50.

Working on a cool looking car is the perfect catalyst,

other than a fat wad of cash.

Jason spent a weekend chopping his model A sedan.

And another couple days 

shoehorning in this 1940 chevy dash.

And another day smoothing out the chop lines,

than adding some color.

Now it's crunch time.

Only a few days left.

Wiring, brakes, steering, engine running...

Ya think,

Dang, what why didn't I do this last week?

Let's see if he makes it!

Anyone want to make a bet?

TP

Stripped

A friend of a friend had an upcoming project,

and somehow I pulled the long straw.

The goal was to strip this blue beauty,

for plunder to use on his next boat.

Typical hot rod donor vehicle.

The cherry was this clean Mercury 80 hp outboard.

Obviously upgraded in the past.

This thing musta been a rocket.

It was a shame to tear this up,

made easier as it wasn't mine.

Mark only wanted the engine and some badges,

but since the boat was going to be sold basically for the trailer,

I got the steering (for the new whaler)

and the rub rails (for the old whaler).

The aluminum extrusion rail really cleaned up the old beater,

even though I never slipped in the black rubber.

As quickly as it appeared,

the little blue boat slinked away.

I'm sure the new owner is looking for all this stuff now.

The next step was to figure out how to overpower this old rig.

More later...

TP

building an heirloom

Rarely do I write a post about something not concerning my immediateness,
however here's a project I was lucky to watch progress.

Folsom Table

There is a way I can make this selfish though so here goes.
This was a really intricate and drawn out project,
and if you've been a long time reader,
you'll know I've got a thing for detailed step by step pictures.

mocked up

Maybe Steve wants to keep his work hush hush,
but the 40 or so readers will now know his secrets.

festool domino

One of them is Festool.
This is the Snap-on of woodworkers.
I've seen the various tools and their boxes lying around,
but never knew the deep addiction they inflicted.
It's bled from Folsom Woodworks to Ryan Industries,
but will stop at the doormat of Perich Brothers & Sisters...

german joint

The problem with this Festool stuff is they require perfect gaps and measurements.

As a metalworker I find there is a grey area with gaps.

There are times they need to be right on,

and many times when they can be a little slack.

working a Festool Domino Joiner

Not so with wood,
or at least with unpainted or stained wood.
Very nerve-racking when there is specific grains,
or a limited inventory of aged wood.

clamped

The new owner basically got everything past this point for free.
Like most contracted craftsmen,
there is that point where the ratio of money per hour dwindles.
There is that pride of perfection or at least noticeable mistakes.

stained

Unlike an IKEA or PIER ONE table,
notice the convenient space underneath.
This one was built to withstand a mid-level earthquake,
for a family of at least 2 adults and 2 children.

beef

Here's more of that hidden intricacy.
There are multiple biscuits for alignment and strength.

biscuit

At this point the table should have been finished.
The lucky owner chosen stain colors and builder critical smoothness.

stripes

Nope.
An angle iron frame surrounded the tabletop,
and also a hidden beer cooler!
(see top pic)

framed

I just noticed that there have been no hammers in any of these pics.

Custom S. Folsom Table

Here's the funny part.
After all this awesomeness,
here's the builder's glam shot!
Guess he was too concerned with gaps.
I knew I should have dropped by more...

TP

blue tarps

I'm a newbie on instagram,
but it hasn't taken long to learn how to play the game.
Last week there was a hot rod photo contest to win some shwag,
and it got me to thinking like a photographer instead of a picture taker.

chief and the blue tarps

Only a couple days ago I had posted up here one of my top 10 pictures of the pickup.
There was no way to take credit for someone else's shot,
so I figured no problem,
I'll roll down there early and snap a couple quick cellphone pics.
How hard could it be -  I've got an Iphone now!?

1929 ford roadster pickup -
photo by Steve Sexton - 2013

Here's the shot I was trying to get.
Crisp and bright,
the hot rod absorbs the perfect color out of the surroundings.
I love it.

1929 ford roadster pickup
photo by ummm...me...

And this is the shot I got.
Granted it was 7:30 on a saturday,
and there was a chance of rain,
but holey chit it's like that 80 year old lady that smears lipstick all over her face,
thinking she's still in the game.
Effing ridiculous.
For all you serious photographers thinking instagram is gonna put you out of business,
don't worry about it.
This washed out photo looked decent on the miniature phone screen,
even with all the blue tarps.
Maybe formatting pictures the same shape as a polaroid was a bit of a hint...

TP

blue

This was an accidental park job,
as we were all too cheap to park in the show.

chief - 1929 ford roadster pickup

Makes me want to go for a drive!

fiesta del kustom kulture - 2013

I don't know who took this pic but I dig it.

If you did please email me I'll definitely give you the credit!

TP