My M 151 A1 Restoration Project

[lpcoating]

I now have the driver's side fender top drawn in Cad. I will dimension the drawing and print out on paper. Then spend some time double checking all of my numbers. The old "measure twice, cut once" applies to lasers as well. After talking to Rick the other day I noticed that the lower bead that I have on the rear panel should be split for the hook. As mine is on the rotisserie I did not notice at the time. I have not finished the drawing on the rear panel yet so it is no big deal. Like I said, measure twice, cut once...

[RCA827]

Looking good Guy How 's the rear panel going ? will you be doing the rear panel at the same time ?

[lpcoating]

Rear panel is almost complete as far as the drawing goes. The rear panel and fender tops use the same tooling so I will make them at the same time. I have to go out of town for a couple of days this week so I will not get much more done this week.

[lpcoating]

I was able to get a "test" fender top made late today. We have to do some tweaking on the bead length but it's very close. I also want to tighten up the bend radius about a 1/16" as it is a touch on the big side. The corner radius will be welded and blended after the fender top is installed. This is it:

[lpcoating]

Yes Rick, I made it out of 18 ga!

[rickf]

Very nice indeed. If I were making that for myself what I would have done with the corner would have been to make it extra wide in that area and then worked in down over an anvil for the corner. Only about a 1/2" down but then you would not have to weld on the radius. This would not be practical for production work. (unless you want to hold off till I retire in 6 months) hint, hint. I would gladly sit at a bench and form metal for 151's all day.

[lpcoating]

I will make a filler piece, roll it and weld after. I'm better with a welder / grinder than I am with a hammer...

[Francis Marion]

Looks great! Will you me making your rear floor panels? What would it take to convince you to make me one while you're at it?

[RCA827]

Guy the fender top is coming around just great, and heavy duty to add.

[RCA827]

I would take a rear floor also when your ready.That would make two to go

[lpcoating]

Looks great! Will you me making your rear floor panels? What would it take to convince you to make me one while you're at it?

I'll let you know when I get to the rear floor.

[lpcoating]

Made it back out to work on the project after about a three week run of doing other things. Removed half of the rear panel tonight. Not a fun job. Got far enough to test fit one of the fender tops.



For anyone out there that is a machinist, the table on wheels was a fixture for building up the bed plate for a Hardinge Tool Room Lathe (HLV). I worked there for about 15 years. They no longer make the HLV and I was able to get a scrap pass for the table when they down sized that assembly line. The HLV was the machine to have back before the days of full CNC lathes.






I have to adjust the bead spacing on the outer two just a touch (maybe .030") to get them centered up better in the support bracket. It's tricky getting good measurements at times due to part condition.

[RCA827]

Excellent work on the fender tops Guy they are better than anything I could make by hand. I know what you mean about the removal of panels they can certainly try a person

[rickf]

Guy, I don't advocate using cinder, or concrete, blocks for support but if you do always have the holes facing up and a 2x8 on top.

The panels look fantastic. My plans for coming up got scrambled by work but I will be out for two months when I get my knee replacement at the end of June so by the end of July I should be able to come up. By then you will probably be done.

[Francis Marion]

Guy, I don't advocate using cinder, or concrete, blocks for support but if you do always have the holes facing up and a 2x8 on top.

The panels look fantastic. My plans for coming up got scrambled by work but I will be out for two months when I get my knee replacement at the end of June so by the end of July I should be able to come up. By then you will probably be done.

Oh, just come out west instead. I'll have one you can work on by the end of July.