Build Thread Finally! 89 Notch 2v Swap Progress Thread Project: 89mach1

Mike, I've done some minor sheetmetal work before, filled in door handles, frenched taillights, etc. What are you using to cut your new metal? nibblers? snips? both? Cuts look really clean and smooth. That's always what gave me hell. Looks really good, man. Look forward to next post.

Thanks SS.
I'm working w thick metal...18 ga., 16ga., and 1/8th plate. I use a 39.00 Ryobi 4.5" grinder w/ the really thin cut-off wheel to follow a line cutting a little wide, then the other grinder w/ a 40 grit flap wheel to smooth the edge exactly to the desired cut. (somewhere in the pics, the two grinders are laying on the floor) It's like somebody already pointed out.....I'm old school.
I also used to have a problem w/ getting a good cut when I used to use a jig saw, but watching JR. do it on American Chopper convinced me to start using that method. I don't know that I'd use it if I had the band saw he has though,...maybe the piece he was cutting on the episode was too wide to fit on the band saw.:shrug:

What is really stupid of me is I have a plasma cutter. I just don't use it because I find it too hard to get close enough and follow the cut line free hand. ( I guess I should listen to myself preach, and practice).
For the really thin stuff below 18 ga., I use electric shears.

but I cut the front of the hood off w/ the same grinder, took 15 secs.
 
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Today, I'm gonna finish that hood. The wife has been gone since Tuesday, (at the beach in her mothers' 2 BR condo) If I don't get it done by the time she gets back today, she won't let me have the time to mess w/ it after that.
 
Thanks SS.
I'm working w thick metal...18 ga., 16ga., and 1/8th plate. I use a 39.00 Ryobi 4.5" grinder w/ the really thin cut-off wheel to follow a line cutting a little wide, then the other grinder w/ a 40 grit flap wheel to smooth the edge exactly to the desired cut. (somewhere in the pics, the two grinders are laying on the floor) It's like somebody already pointed out.....I'm old school.
I also used to have a problem w/ getting a good cut when I used to use a jig saw, but watching JR. do it on American Chopper convinced me to start using that method. I don't know that I'd use it if I had the band saw he has though,...maybe the piece he was cutting on the episode was too wide to fit on the band saw.:shrug:

What is really stupid of me is I have a plasma cutter. I just don't use it because I find it too hard to get close enough and follow the cut line free hand. ( I guess I should listen to myself preach, and practice).
For the really thin stuff below 18 ga., I use electric shears.

but I cut the front of the hood off w/ the same grinder, took 15 secs.

Cool. Thanks!:nice:
 
I made the mistake of buying a cheap flux core mig from harbor freight. I wish I had bought one that could use gas. I have welded my roll cage & today did my left side torque box reinforcement. I will need a lot more practice befor I take on something like what you are doing. keep up the good work though. This is by far the coolest progress thread I have fallowed.
 
Usually when people combine different generations of cars they look bad but you are making this look really good, you are putting alot of thought and work into the sheetmetal work to make it look like it belongs.
 
well working w/ one eye sucks. I did manage to rough in the hood, and start on the one side of the grille . I also found the aluminum grille material that I'll use. So I guess I'll update:
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The grille is obviously just sitting in there, and I'll end up painting it black. But it's better than the usual ricer "x" mesh.