Old school farmer sheetmetal repair.

[flatbed51]

Here is some pictures of a truck I picked up last weekend for parts. Sheetmetal repair has sure improved over the years !!

[theastronaut]

Wow!! That's a little extreme! Wonder why didn't they just swap out for a used fender.

I just repaired a pair of fenders that weren't that bad but had been poorly repaired. Patent date of April 13 1920 is stamped on one of the riveted pieces!

[reinmeister1951]

I have had similar fenders, they are a great learning experience but if you value your time it is cheaper to buy a new aftermarket fender. But I would do it again in a heartbeat.

[FarmerSid]

I'm seeing that right now on my build. Not as bad but is a fun learning experience. feel the same as you Doug.

[Dan in Pasadena]

That riveted one might have been a fairly good quality repair in a rural setting, pre the welders-are-commonly-available era.

Back in those days if you want to cut out & replace, did you braze in the repair? I'm sure it took a fine touch with an oxy/acetylene torch.
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[Rude Dude]

Hey Dan, I still dig out my torches and welding rod when I have a small sheet metal crack that needs welding just for practice!

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

That riveted one might have been a fairly good quality repair in a rural setting, pre the welders-are-commonly-available era.

Back in those days if you want to cut out & replace, did you braze in the repair? I'm sure it took a fine touch with an oxy/acetylene torch.
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[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

That riveted one might have been a fairly good quality repair in a rural setting, pre the welders-are-commonly-available era.

Back in those days if you want to cut out & replace, did you braze in the repair? I'm sure it took a fine touch with an oxy/acetylene torch.
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Those fender welds look pretty standard for old farm truck repairs. Usually you didn't braze it, you straightened out a coat hanger and used it for your welding rod. My Dad was a welder and we never bought any rods for acetelyne welding when I was growing up.

[flatbed51]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

Those fender welds look pretty standard for old farm truck repairs. Usually you didn't braze it, you straightened out a coat hanger and used it for your welding rod. My Dad was a welder and we never bought any rods for acetelyne welding when I was growing up.

Thats exactly what these welds were, I did many of the same back in the day of farm implement repair. What am I saying I even did on many of my early rods. I still have a collection of wire hangers ready haha !!!!!!!!

[Dan in Pasadena]

Maybe its a dumb question but do these coat hanger repairs stand up over time without cracking? I assume its a low heat weld?

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

Maybe its a dumb question but do these coat hanger repairs stand up over time without cracking? I assume its a low heat weld?

When you are acetylene welding a fender or some other part you try to keep the heat down as much as possible, but you have to get the metal to the melting stage or it wont fuse together. As far as holding up, if you cleaned the area around the weld good and painted it it held up fine. I think most of the famous customs from the fifties and sixties were done with acetylene and they are still around. Guys like Barris and Winfield probably used coat hangars too.

[reinmeister1951]

Back in the day coat hangers were made with better quality steel, these days they are made from crap. Mechanics wire works great and leaves the joint soft for metal finishing. Just remember to clean it before welding.