127 replies to this topic

[MrObsessive]

This is how they should swing straight outward once they're attached. Note how I have the chassis in place as the chassis will bow the body outward slightly. I had to make allowances in the mounting of the support post for this.

Now the next thing is to mount (tape) the door in place so that you can mark off the hinge "holders" for later epoxying.

Still need to tighten up those shut lines!...........

I made the hinge holders out of U-Channel styrene (Evergreen) that was narrowed a bit to suit the width of the hinges. Notice the pencil marks on the inside of the doors and where I want the hinge holders to be.............I like to mark off where I'll need to build the door jambs on the door so there's no guesswork.

Now about those shut lines..............some of you may have seen in the other posting where I like to add plastic around the perimeter of a door or trunk------I did the same here.......

Once this was thoroughly dry, I then sanded the contours to shape. This takes time, so I'd work carefully so you don't lose the original contours.

Once the door was shaped to my liking........I like to use to the 3x5 card method in determining how much door gap there should be. If the card slips in and out easily without binding, then the gap should be fine. Too much slop, and you'll have that see-through the body look which will detract from the finished product!

And here's the door shaped and mostly where I want it appearance wise............some very minor tweaking I'll do around the top corners of the door.

Here's how the door appears opened just placed on the hinges.............

The door has a slight drooped appearance, but mind you-----the doors aren't fully epoxied on the hinges as of yet. That won't happen till after she's all painted and polished.

And now on to the other side!

Stay tuned!

I also want to add that I really appreciate the kind words and encouragement! It really means alot. I just realized that this is the first really detailed I've started in quite awhile, and it might take some time to remember how I did certain things. I wish I had a computer and digital camera when building that '58 Chevy! It sure would make things easier today!

[crazyjim]

You never cease to amaze me, Bill. Fantastic workmanship.

I'm working on a '59 Chevy too. It's a lowrider kit I got in a trade with the bartster. the side chrome is seperate pieces and will be left off. It'll be HOK burgundy kandy with a different color where the chrome would normally be. And, hopefully, some water spots on the hood & trunk. Unlike you, Bill, I filled/sanded all the areas chrome would usually go and rounded off those little grilles above the headlights.

[sak]

Yeah. Candy apple red would be the prefect color for this. So badass. Cant wait to see more.

[Roadracer]

Fantastic work Bill!! It's very impressive to see all the details your doing on this!

[blunc]

Now thems some proper door hinges.

[58 Impala]

Fantastic work so far Bill, I will definitely be watching your build. I was really impressed with your 58 and it's working windows. Also thanks for posting your video on soldering, I'm getting ready to take a stab at doing some scratch building involving brass. I've done larger types of soldering (stained glass), what wattage soldering iron do you use? Also what type/mixture of solder. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[59 Impala]

WOW, is all I can say Bill.  You sure have a lot of patience for sure.  I know I don't.  I'm just in the beginning stages of detail work.  This is looking better each time I see it.  Of course, I do like 59 Impalas as you can tell by my avatar.  Keep up the good work and eye candy. 

 

Oh, by the way, I did get the 59 roof you sent me on the 60 and I will be working on that soon.     Dan

[jdcar32]

Hi Bill,
I'm the '59 Biscayne fuelie guy. I'm already envious of your build details! The windshield header mod is something I certainly missed. About your hinge design: does your front door edge bind against the fender?, especially with the tight gap lines ? Your hinges "look right" and the front jam openings are impressive too. Looking forward to the finished item !

[MrObsessive]

Hi Bill,
I'm the '59 Biscayne fuelie guy. I'm already envious of your build details! The windshield header mod is something I certainly missed. About your hinge design: does your front door edge bind against the fender?, especially with the tight gap lines ? Your hinges "look right" and the front jam openings are impressive too. Looking forward to the finished item !

 

Hi Jon! Thanks for the compliment! No, I haven't had any problem with binding as I'm particularly fussy about that problem when it comes to hinging doors. I try to make sure that arc of the hinge is such that I can mount the door long before painting, and check the "swing" of the hinges in their retainers. I also like to use the 3x5 card method as I mentioned on the other page of this thread. This helps a lot in determining how close your door gaps are going to be after things are painted and polished.

 

One thing I did do is thin out the leading edge of the door, so that it would clear the trim properly without catching or binding. I also angle filed the trim in front of the door slightly so that it would not get "hit" by the door when it's opening or closing.

 

Thanks for asking!

[MrObsessive]

BTW Fellas, I haven't abandoned the '59 as it's been awhile since I've posted any updates here. I've just been a bit lazy in getting any new pics uploaded to either Fotki, or my blog. Work is moving along slowly but surely, and I'd like to get something new for you guys to see later on in the week. I can tell you that I am about done with the major body work as both doors are hinged now, and I did get the trunk reinforcement made and mounted. Now all that's left to be done is to hinge the trunk, and then I can move on to the roll up windows.

 

Psssst........did he say working windows??

 

Why yes I believe he did!

[Ron Hamilton]

I still want to see power windows Bill.

[MrObsessive]

I still want to see power windows Bill.

 

Fat chance on that Ron!.....................Right now!

[vintagedragfan]

beautiful work Bill!!

[blunc]

I think I have seen some pager vibrator motors that would fit inside those door cavities but making the controller buttons would be a pain.

[charlie8575]

I think I have seen some pager vibrator motors that would fit inside those door cavities but making the controller buttons would be a pain.

Shhhh....don't give him any more ideas, he'll leave us all in the dust again!

 

I kid, I kid....

 

Charlie Larkin

[blunc]

Shhh...don't tell him he left the wing window on the passenger side windshield frame.

[Road Runner 79]

Nice work!

[Roadracer]

I just can't wait for the next update!

[Doobie]

Hay bill are those hinges the same as the 57 chevy?

[High octane]

I'd be very careful when putting in all that detail into that Chevy Bill because we won't be able to tell your build from the real thing.