'70 Vert - waited long enough...

[Ele115]

Dive in and warm up the credit cards.

I have found with the many big projects I have completed over the years, it's very often worse sitting thinking about all the work ahead of you than it is actually diving in, pacing yourself, setting small milepost goals and chewing on it until you have the finished results you wanted. Good luck to you. If you set a reasonable pace and expect to go over budget...just try to have fun and come here for help any time. We want to see your E-body dreams come true as bad as you do. These cars don't grow on trees

 

[Cuda416]

I just did a convertible that was totally gone have to many pics here is one after I took if off of the frame table I made

That's bad ass. I agree with the suggestion for you to make a build thread. After the fact would still be very cool.

 

[Cuda416]

Dive in and warm up the credit cards.

I have found with the many big projects I have completed over the years, it's very often worse sitting thinking about all the work ahead of you than it is actually diving in, pacing yourself, setting small milepost goals and chewing on it until you have the finished results you wanted. Good luck to you. If you set a reasonable pace and expect to go over budget...just try to have fun and come here for help any time. We want to see your E-body dreams come true as bad as you do. These cars don't grow on trees

Thanks, I'm already way over any sort of budget lol. Heck I bought this thing. No turning back now!

Made some more progress on the jig today. Cross beam clamps all tacked and ready burn.

 

[Cuda416]

Here is one of the clamps mocked up for fit. The short piece of 2x2 tube is just some scrap I had laying around. The actual jig base is 2x2x0.180 wall. Still working out a "good" way to build the ends. I have a few ideas and will finalize on something soon. The width of the base isn't that important. Obviously I don't want it too narrow, but I don't want it to get in the way either. I'm thinking 48 inches at the moment. The cross beams are 60 inches long.

 

[Cuda416]

More progress. Every little bit keeps me moving in the right direction.

The smaller parts are what will support the center section of the car. The larger parts will receive swappable standoffs depending on the car requirements. They will all get welded to 4x6 .25 plates once I get home and drill some holes for mounting them to the cross beams.

 

[Cuda416]

Made some progress on the end pieces. Stinking blade wore down (abrasive POS) so I called it a night. I try to not fight the universe sometimes. I'll get a thin kerf blade after work and cut the other end. Plan is to mock the whole thing up this weekend before final burn.

 

[Cuda416]

Made a bunch of progress on the jig today. Tacked up the end pieces and mocked it up. Next is to install the diagonal bracing.

 

[Cuda416]

Diagonal bracing tacked in place.

 

[rklein71]

That jig will support an M1 tank!

 

[Cuda416]

That jig will support an M1 tank!

Well that would be interesting. lol

 

[rklein71]

Well that would be interesting. lol

Maybe I am exaggerating a bit...but it is a strongly built jig for sure!

 

[Cuda416]

More progress on the "M1 tank jig"

It's not obvious from the picture but the wheels are attached to "carriages" that can be removed when not in use. I need to make the standoffs that will slide into the 4 pedestals at the ends. The standoffs will be held in place with 4 3/8 bolts. You can see the nuts welded in place for that purpose. The end braces are also removable. There are 3 5/8" bolts holding each corner together. I also have yet to fabricate the 4 45 deg corner braces. There are some spots in which I need to do a final burn but for the most part, this is it and how it's going to be.

Stackin' dimes... By no means perfect, but I'm getting better...

 

[fasjac]

More progress on the "M1 tank jig"

It's not obvious from the picture but the wheels are attached to "carriages" that can be removed when not in use. I need to make the standoffs that will slide into the 4 pedestals at the ends. The standoffs will be held in place with 4 3/8 bolts. You can see the nuts welded in place for that purpose. The end braces are also removable. There are 3 5/8" bolts holding each corner together. I also have yet to fabricate the 4 45 deg corner braces. There are some spots in which I need to do a final burn but for the most part, this is it and how it's going to be.

View attachment 87681

Stackin' dimes... By no means perfect, but I'm getting better...
View attachment 87682

Heavy Duty! Dang nice welding

 

[Cuda416]

Heavy Duty! Dang nice welding

Thanks! Been working on it. I don't claim to be "good" but I'm not the worst.

Was chasing some problems with some really awful results until I realized no gas was coming out. Seems the torch end wasn't seated in the the holder properly. I suspect someone used it for a leash at some point and it pulled out slightly.

 

[Westfort]

Looks good. Nice to see it on

 

[Cuda416]

Looks good. Nice to see it on

Thanks! Getting closer but not winning any races. Every time I plan on getting to the point of putting the car on it, something comes up. Slow and steady wins the race sometimes.

 

[Ele115]

More progress on the "M1 tank jig"

It's not obvious from the picture but the wheels are attached to "carriages" that can be removed when not in use. I need to make the standoffs that will slide into the 4 pedestals at the ends. The standoffs will be held in place with 4 3/8 bolts. You can see the nuts welded in place for that purpose. The end braces are also removable. There are 3 5/8" bolts holding each corner together. I also have yet to fabricate the 4 45 deg corner braces. There are some spots in which I need to do a final burn but for the most part, this is it and how it's going to be.

View attachment 87681

Stackin' dimes... By no means perfect, but I'm getting better...
View attachment 87682

I would say those shekels look better than the instructors' welds at our local tech schools. They would hire you

 

[Cuda416]

I would say those shekels look better than the instructors' welds at our local tech schools. They would hire you

I have no idea what a shekel is, but I'll take it as a compliment! LOL.. Thanks!


EDIT: I get it! LOL.. thanks again!

 

[Cuda416]

Got everything locked in finally. Juts need to spend some time chasing details and do a walk around in case I missed some welds. I know there are a few and the end caps need a final burn.

I changed the main stand offs to something a little better than my original hack/smash effort.

Got the corner bracers fab'd and bolted in place (5/8" grade 5 hardware)

And here it is in all it's glory... Almost ready for paint.

 

[moparlee]

Nice work! Looks mighty strong and capable of supporting anything thrown at it.