Replies

1. 
   derekcohen | Jan 20, 2009 07:31am | #1

   That is just stunning! Why wood - is that original?

   Regards from Perth

   Derek

1. 
   mrbird90 | Jan 20, 2009 07:34am | #2

   Yes, everything was made just like the original, the client was very fussy about making every detail exactly the same as the original. Originals were all wood.

2. 
   oldusty | Jan 20, 2009 08:45am | #3

     mr,

        Really a beautiful job , I have a client who has been having me make car parts for years . It was over a year ago I reworked a wood body to fit properly.

                    dusty

   
1. 
   mrbird90 | Jan 20, 2009 03:38pm | #4

   Olddusty 

   Nice work. What year car is it. Not far enough along to recognize. Is the basic structure made from ash. My construction called for ash, birch and poplar for the skin. I'd like to see more pictures.

1. 
   oldusty | Jan 20, 2009 05:44pm | #6

   mr ,

        It was a 1911 Torpedo Roadster , the guy I did the work for restores cars for his clients .Well, he had another fellow make a new wood body and it did not fit the chasis correctly to wide in the center or something like that .

      I reworked this other guy's work and straightened things out a bit .

    The heavy frame members were made of Red Oak , there was a Poplar skin over the Oak mostly. The guy does his own body work but has a painter do the final.The floor boards were made of Poplar.

       That's as far along I had seen it .

     I'm no expert on wood cars but I have made many parts in the last 30 years .

         the job you did was fabulous

                  regards dusty, boxmaker

   
2. 
   Dave45 | Jan 20, 2009 05:39pm | #5

   Dusty/MrBird -Would those cars need termite inspections before they could be sold? - lol

1. 
   oldusty | Jan 20, 2009 05:46pm | #7

   Dave you rascal , No ! they don't need smog inspections but I suppose you could have a carpenter check for dry rot .

                   regards    dusty, boxmaker

2. 
   oldusty | Feb 03, 2009 05:00am | #33

     Dave ,

             Why you had to say termites was unclear at the time but now for the rest of the story .

        About 3 or 4 days after your post my car guy shows up with these , and in a rather cool delivery truck .

         regards      dusty

          

   
3. 
   mrbird90 | Jan 20, 2009 07:31pm | #9

   Hi Dusty, Here is a picture of the partially finished body before shipping out west.

   
1. 
   oldusty | Jan 20, 2009 08:15pm | #11

             mr,

    You did a great job , yours has looks almost like a boat .

    Looks familiar in parts , I remember there was a battery below the seat frame underneath .

     I think this guy said it would not really be driven it would be more for a public relations work and photo play .

     I sure enjoyed working on something very different as you said .

     In the past I worked on the wood door jambs and frames of other Ford models.

         I'm looking at plans for a job for a wine cellar right now , angled storage triangles and open shelving for bulk storage , it's kinda different then my normal.

          regards         dusty , mostly a boxmaker

2. 
   oldusty | Jan 22, 2009 04:22am | #19

     mr,

          Funny how things go some time , but guess who showed up today with old wood spoked wheels that need some dressing up .  " Roger " , my car guy client dropped off a sample to see if it could be done as wanted .

             strange as it has been a year or so since our last encounter

            And he said he would send me some digital photos of that last one and a few others he has recently completed .One or two old fire engines also .

                

                            d

1. 
   mrbird90 | Jan 22, 2009 07:12am | #20

   Olddusty, Would like to see the pictures if you can post them.

1. 
   CHRISWALL | Jan 31, 2009 09:09pm | #25

   Hi interiesting post

   I was wondering what type of woods, glue and finishes are used.

   I have been asked to build a trailer (in the shape of a coffin) to tow behind a 3 wheel motorcycle (trike).

   I am thinking baltic brich plywood and Epoxy glue but would titebond II or III work?

   Chris

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 31, 2009 09:17pm | #26

   I have been asked to build a trailer (in the shape of a coffin) to tow behind a 3 wheel motorcycle (trike).

   I would say if you are a 'biker' that Dimond plate steel or aluminum would be fitting..

   And as my after thought.. Wenge trim and Purpleheart. I'd guess a tossUp on costs.

   Sure wish I still could 'Ride'...

   Then the question  Is this a man's or a lovely female's bike? Ask what THEY like!

3. 
   CHRISWALL | Feb 01, 2009 04:55am | #27

   I'm not sure you'd want a ride but it will be full size, at least big enuogh for the bike's owner. ( Not me)

    

4. 
   mrbird90 | Feb 01, 2009 05:29am | #28

   Hi, most of the outer surfaces or skin was poplar and the structural was ash, the back deck was 1/2" baltic birch on one car and poplar on two others. Floor boards were poplar and firewall was mahagony. The only glue used was Titebond III. I had the body shipped to the client and he had it painted. I do not know what he used or how many coats were applied.

5. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Feb 02, 2009 01:42pm | #29

   CHRIS,

   If it's going to be painted I would suggest looking into using MDO board.  It's used for signs and has a matt type finish on one side and is used a lot for making signs.  Good stuff for outdoor projects if painted.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

6. 
   CHRISWALL | Feb 02, 2009 05:30pm | #30

   I hadn't thought of that. Isn't it kind of heavy ? weight is an issue.

    

7. 
   KiddervilleAcres | Feb 03, 2009 02:39am | #32

   Chris,

   Isn't it kind of heavy ?  Hmmm,  good question.  Not sure how it would compare to baltic birch that you were/are thinking of using. 

   I was kinda thinking birch typically doesn't fair too well being outdoors or so I'm told.  Something towed behind a motocycle could be subject to water from unexpected rain, etc. but wouldn't be sitting in water and would most likely be dried off in a short time.

   Epoxy is used a lot in marine applications but given the above I would think TB-III should work quite well.

   In any event I would make sure all is sealed and use a finish that would readily accept wax, preferrable automotive wax as well.

   Regards,Bob @ Kidderville Acres

   A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!

8. 
   oldusty | Feb 02, 2009 05:37pm | #31

   You may want to use marine grade plywoods .

               dusty

3. 
   maverick | Jan 20, 2009 06:00pm | #8

   reminds me of a story I heard about henry ford

   when he bought transmitions from a subcontractor he provided exacting specifications as how the shipping crates had to be built

   the contractor thought ford was nuts but complied

   when the crates arrived at the assembly line they were carefully taken apart and without any cutting required they were installed for the floor boards in the car

1. 
   oldusty | Jan 20, 2009 08:04pm | #10

   maverick , I believe I have heard that story before about re using crates for floor boards , he was smart .

       dusty

2. 
   PADDYDAHAT | Jan 22, 2009 01:39am | #18

   Mav, old Henry also used the excess hardwood from the very many suppliers crates(I expect when the cars went to almost 100% metal) to make charcoal for his charcoal company. The company still exists, KingsFORD, I expect that many of us in the USA have cooked a few hot dogs with his charcoal. Paddy

1. 
   aaronpetersen | Jan 22, 2009 08:21pm | #21

   Paddy,

   The Ford in Kingsford is actually coincidental. The company was named for E.G. Kingsford who was Henry Ford's brother-in-law and partner in the business. I love the history channel.

   Aaron

4. 
   Tracey1959 | Jan 20, 2009 09:50pm | #12

   The "T" series MG's had a lot of wooden parts.  A friend of mine in Knightstown, Indiana, rebuilds the "T" series and says the woodwork is somewhat intricate, but not difficult.  The wood outer surfaces are covered with a cotton fabric and doped with aircraft paint.  Two or three coats give a fine finish.  Imron aircraft paint does a really good job also.

5. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 21, 2009 02:09am | #13

   Very different and beautiful work. You AND your client's finishing.

   That IS FINE WOODWORKING any way you look at it!

   I'd sure love to drive it and honk at some old lady I see 'strutting' down the street.

6. 
   user-54856 | Jan 21, 2009 06:49am | #14

   Rebuilt the wood parts of a '27 T when I was a teenager in '56. More enthusiasm for skill, but the girls didn't know that. Wondered back then if measured drawings might still be available but never found a source. Are such drawing available? Do any modern cars use wood, and what species? The last I know of was the Morgan in the '70's, and it was an option.

   In the late '50's, I think, Popular Mechanics had plans for a wooden roadster, kinda modeled on a cedar canoe.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/20/2009 10:52 pm ET by Troost Avenue

1. 
   mrbird90 | Jan 21, 2009 07:29am | #15

   My client furnished me some 8-1/2" x  11" drawings that were reduced from some old Ford prints. Had to use magnifying glass to even guess at some of the numbers. I believe he told me that there is a source in Fords Detroit archives that you can purchase copies of old prints, I have never followed throught. Mostly worked from sketches furnished by owners of other restored or sitting around relicks. Also a lot of close up pictures of original cars. Don't know of any modern cars using wood. Cadillac offered a wood dash board back in the 70's as a special edition for CA.

   Edited 1/20/2009 11:31 pm ET by mrbird90

1. 
   philip | Jan 21, 2009 11:34am | #16

   Bird,
   I would think that if you have restored the wood frame as per original specs and the sheet metal work is authentic then the car would be valuable- you should "acquire" it (;)
   You say you don't know of any modern cars using wood frames: I think the most likely one is the Morgan (British) . Certainly in 1975 when I saw new ones in a London showroom they had wood frames-even the V8 engined ones.
   Doing coachwork for cars requires a mindset quite different from that of a furniture maker.Philip Marcou

1. 
   oldusty | Jan 21, 2009 07:20pm | #17

   Mook ,

       Yup coach work is different but wood is wood whether we make a shoe box or a fire wall we must tame the beast .

             dusty

2. 
   abeech | Jan 22, 2009 09:55pm | #22

   Hi,Morgans still exist and are even prospering. They still use the same style of Ash chassis for their cars including the small block V8. Repairers and restorers always moan about the individual nature of an Ash chassis when repairs are needed. Many last for 30 to 40 years and even the older Morgans can still have an old style wooden chassis custom made to fit.regards
   Al

1. 
   philip | Jan 22, 2009 10:48pm | #23

   Al,
   Thanks for the update, good to know that cars with character are still being made.
   I need a Cobra, that is what I need. Just one, preferably the older version kitted with Jag running gear and MK2 instruments.....Philip Marcou

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jan 23, 2009 05:13am | #24

   NO expert on the subject. However, I 'think' I recall reading Balsa and many very fine grade hardwoods are use in cars I could never be able to afford!