The Frame - Part 1


In the Beginning...
Isn't it gorgeous, Bob's frame stock that is. Not many of us (read virtually none), have attempted a frame with these beginnings. Sure, some pro's and the really talented among us (or brave, or...).

You're looking at two 12 foot lengths of 2" x 6" x 3/16" main frame material. These began life as one 24 foot piece. Nestled in beside them is some 2" x 1" x 3/16" material for the X-member.

Obviously, the rails aren't 6" deep along their entire length and are not straight. We're talking a lot of cutting, shaping, welding, finessing and, in general, a ton of hard work.

 

How does one get from here to a finished frame? In Bob's case, from some drawings, comparison to actual '34 frames and by carefully comparing to the body. We told you the body would come in handy. After studying his drawings, Bob was ready to begin the first job of tapering the rails.

 



The taper goes from 6" to 4" and was cut with a Stihl gas powered chop saw. Bob advises that this was faster than a hand-held jig saw and better than trying to hold it in the band saw since each rail weighs in at 100lbs.

On the rear the cut was made on the top side and the bottom on the front.

Bob then used 2" x 3/16" strapping to close in the cut and then ground everything smooth. Pretty slick.




The finished taper (1 of 4). Nice job Bob.