hemikev wrote:

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Hi invision , just looked at your entire R2 build thread  ,again very awesome work,,, when you started  your r2 build,  did  you start with drawings and blueprints u designed ,  and have your initial plans changed along theway as r2 has progressed    thanx   KEV

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 Hi Kev,

Yes, I did start with a rendering and full size scale drawings of the side, front, rear and top.  You can kinda make out the designs mounted on the 'build-board' in the first few photos of the thread. 

As the buck was being built from these blueprints I made a few dimensional changes...1/2 inch here or there... but nothing too serious.  Then as we progressed into the sheet metal stage there were a few reflections I didn't like so a few more adjustments were made.  The build is a dynamic and emotional thing.  Whenever I create something I don't build the drawing...I build the vehicle.  It not only has to look right from 3 feet away, but also from 500 yards.

Thanks very much looking.

 

i hope you sat in the mock up and made some car engine noises like you were driving it. 

Marking out the passenger side door jam for the hinge pocket.


Keeping the zip disk on the inner black sharpie line the hole cut out nice and clean.


After de-burring the edges a little - this will be used as a template for the other side.


Piece from the passenger side flipped horizontally and traced.


Again, staying on the sharpie line, the hole is made.


Now it's time to make the hinge pocket. You'll see why we're going through all this once the hole for the hinge arm is created.


Welding continues on the rear hatch structure...


Cleaning up the welds


Running a long board over the panel with some course paper shows up the highs and lows in the metal. These areas can now be planished using on and off dollie techniques to bring up the low areas and lower the high areas.

Thanks Slim! Yeah, that puppy can be a bit of a challenge to maneuver at times.... Really need to brace your hands and take the cuts slow.

Thanks very much Ms. J!

Early next week I should have some sketches posted on my fb page of the roadster that's in the works. Will also probably start a new thread here if there's enough interest and member's want to see another build.

As always Nick, your work is impeccable.
Of course we'll look forward to your next build.

Don't make us hunt you down  NICK!!!!!!

 

Un less its the new big red car for the wiggles

-- Edited by slim on Thursday 28th of November 2013 10:10:54 AM

Sumthin' just doesn't seem 'right' with that ride Slim! Can't seem to put my finger on it though.....

Guess at times a sharp stick in the eye IS better at times......

Slim love that Pink 32? Great job so far Nick.

Some progress on the door hinge brackets.

The hinge bracket geometry can get a little tricky...


Translating dimensions to the second hinge.


Cutting a few tacks to make adjustments on the hinge.


Work starts on the body’s rear structural webs…tying together the rear wall, rockers, wheel wells, and upper structure.


….2 Per side - 4 webs in total


Passenger side webs mocked up so that the bridging pieces can be made.


After the bridging templates are created they are transferred to sheet metal where appropriate flanges are marked out.


Offset flanges are created with the tipping wheel to allow the pieces to interconnect with each other.


First pass though shapes the piece…second pass through will smooth out the highlight reflection…


Lower wheel is changed to a skateboard wheel to create the side flanges.




Once all the pieces are run through the tipping wheel they are put into the shrinker/stretchers to bend them into their appropriate locations.


After about 30 minutes or shrinking/stretching the pieces are in place… ready for final tweaking to smooth out any deviations in the corner highlight and welded.


Pieces are removed, tweaked, plug holes created and welded together…except for the top allowing the part to be inserted.




All the welds are smoothed out.


Taking a break from grinding the structure - making another list for details that still need to be finished before primer is applied.


The body is really starting to take shape – even though it’s only the structure. It'll be a shame to cover all this fabrication up with the exterior panels.


Cool sparks! Hiding under the car – to finish welding the floor pans.


Finding some areas that weren’t welded earlier.




Body structure ground, washed, sanded, washed again and getting prepped for primer.




Interior looks quite bare…at least at the moment.


Shooting the structure with primer is next.

Thanks for checking out the progress.

Washed it with the usual degreaser we use when prepping bare metal for primer. I tend to stay away from acid washes. Seen a number of cars that have been dipped...only to have the acid seep out of hems and joints down the road after all the body work and paint has been competed. Not a pretty sight... :(

Hi Nick. watching your post for some time now and I have got to say you are one very talented individual. Really enjoy your pics and updates. Still don't understand how you can bend ,shrink and stretch the metal the way you do. Very enjoyable reading your posts. After 4 attempts at making a custom breather for my buick I have come to the conclusion that Im not very good at metal forming. I see you have an ad for your services so I most likely will look you up in the new year. Looking forward to your next set of pics...

janies dirty 37 wrote:

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Yes Nick, I pronounce you...... the metal whisperer.

Thanks for taking the time to post pics and explain your work. 

Janice 

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           AGREE, ^^^  You are the MAN!

Beautiful work, the detail is amazing and your craftsmanship is incredible.

Hi Everyone!  Hope the new year finds you guys well.

Here are some more photos of the build...

Shooting the first coat of 2k epoxy starting from the inside areas and working out.




Mixing up a rather reduced gun of 2k Epoxy allows it to seep into most of the joints and crevices. Working systematically soon all the bare metal will be sealed up.


Then, after a few more coats of regular consistency epoxy, R2’s structure looks quite different.




Getting some 2k primer on areas of panels that'll be hidden from view once installed.




Door shells and hood structure also have some primer on them and set aside... for now.


Thanks again for looking.

Are you sure the pink 32 isn't the mock up for glens  new ride?

Thought maybe he is trying to match his pink gay pride van!!!

34guy wrote:

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Are you sure the pink 32 isn't the mock up for glens  new ride?

Thought maybe he is trying to match his pink gay pride van!!!

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  ah?  did I miss something along the way?  It's been known to happen ... quite often actually ...

Its hard enough to make a door work on a singel axis..... 2 axis is even more of a challenge....great work Nick!

You've heard it before and I don't want you to have a hard time fitting your head through your work shirt......but WOW

Treasure the time you have with him for sure.

My Dad was my start as well. Gone to soon. But lots of good memories and lessons learned I carry on. He is still with me that way. 

Astounded!
I've been around cars my whole life and have never seen anything like this.
Many many thanks for taking the time to document and share your build with us.
There's lots of guys that would rather not share their expertise. You're doing us quite a service.

Hey..were getting restless....any updates on your 2 projects????

I LOVE your job! I wish I had that combined talent and vision. Thanks for sharing.

Amazing talent...