Building Basement Babet

Home Page: Charles Schultz
Oil City, PA, USA

Total Posts: 4

Progress Report/New Equipment

Charles Schultz — Posted on The Cyclekart Club
Saturday December 16, 2017 4:17 PM

Not ready to post photos yet - lines on plywood do not show up well. I will be cutting the five big pieces this week and plan to post photos then.
Big news is the much better half alerting me to an estate sale/on-line auction for a radial arm saw. I had one from 1980 to 2007 and regret trading it for race car parts. Got this one for $45! It will greatly speed making rabbet joints on the .75" x 1.5" strips that will join my plywood bulkheads to the plywood bottom. I'll be screwing & gluing the strips to the plywood and to each other before attaching the aluminum skin.

Anyone made their own tools for cutting louvers in .050" thick aluminum? The original Tank had lots and lots of louvers. I am not as ambitious but want enough louvers to honor the "look." Current plan is to hand cut slits with a 3" cut-off wheel and then press them into a louver shape with a hardwood or steel dolly. Any suggestions?

Member Comments on Journal Entry: Progress Report/New Equipment ↵

2017-12-16 19:09:08 # 46986

Comment by Dennis Graham

Lots of discussion a year or so back Charles. Vitally and Mick both did a bang up job on louvers for their Bugs.Sorry but I'm no good at searching the archives, but at least it's a startingpoint for your question.I'll be making up a punch to use in my hydraulic press. The dies are pretty simple and I would seriously think about something along those lines rather than cut slots and try to hammer them out.dg

2017-12-17 02:20:09 # 47001

Comment by Dennis Graham

Might help locate those threads Charles. "Thrush" is Michael Sutton's handle and 'Bitalli' is Vitaliy Koyy's. dg

2017-12-30 19:11:56 # 47278

Comment by Gregg Kishline

Chuck .... , just a few small panels of louvers, strategically placed, will give you the desired effect. I am familiar with the car. Don't over-do it. Said aluminum panel would be just a little larger than the louver cluster. Attach it where you want it. Lance has an original 50's louver press. Offer: I'll make 'em if you send some sized aluminum and a sketch. gk

2017-12-31 03:43:21 # 47307

Comment by Dennis Graham

Several of the guys here have posted their version of a louver press Gregg.I'd sure be interested in yours or yourfriend Lance's.tksDenny GrahamSandwich, IL

2017-12-31 07:50:35 # 47311

Comment by Vince De Blasi

Nick Walters on post#14 of his Bugatti 37 build has a nice home made wood die louver punch setup.http://www.cyclekartclub.com/phorum/read.php?2,16441

2017-12-31 08:44:52 # 47313

Comment by Dennis Graham

I've seen that Vince, thanks. I've got a couple ofhydraulic presses in the shop and a couple ofBridgeport milling machines so when I get to thatstage I'll be making a more permanent metal punch.Also I am looking at making a set of louver dies for the bead roller which I just finished, which will allowme to make some odd size, odd shaped louvers. But I'm always open to new ideas and the more ofthem I see the better for my final design.Denny G

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