Ford Panel Beater - Beats Harbor Freight!

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Ford Panel Beater - Beats Harbor Freight!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By JAMES STARKEY Naperville, IL on Thursday, May 23, 2013 - 05:46 pm:

I needed something to hold my shaping hammers and also a firm base to pound on a shot bag. I went to my Harbor Freight store (A typical Big-Box industrial tool store) and there were plenty of things that would work with some 'modifications' such as; H.F.four-leg grinder stand, their sturdy planishing hammer stand, etc. but nothing looked 'just right'.

I have a lot of 'old timey' tools (some going back to my grandad (and I'm 62) so I wanted something that looked more appropriate, you know,'turn-of-the-century' industrial, (I'm talking the 18th to 19th cent. 'turn of' brother).

I thought about it and considered what mystery scrap-iron I had in the workshop or out back and I remembered hauling home a 'forensic condition', Model A axle shaft & and housing that I found laying in a field a half dozen years back. Worthless beyond repair, but I, like many, often save things 'just in case I need 'em for somethin' someday'. I had to search pretty deep to find where I stashed it and even found something else I'd forgotten!

As you can see in the photos, I stuck the axle shaft upside down in the housing and welded it at the exact comfort level I felt was best for my back. You old timers who like to work sitting can adjust accordingly too. Rather than cutting it down, I used the full length of the heavy tapered axle to add more 'dead weight ' down the inside of the base for stability. Both base, hammer rack and table top simply bolted to Henry's existing holes. A thick oak board serves as the hammer rack and and over two inches of laminated hardwood with a disc of thin steel plate covered over with suede pigskin cover was used for the shot bag table. The suede creates a nice non-slip surface.

I used oak for the floor base but I'd rather have used 3/4" steel plate (with a larger diameter than my base) if I had some thick plate sitting around. I slathered on some brown Rustoleum outdoor enamel (you know, those old quart cans that have a quarter inch of dried skin inside). Without even cleaning off the rust, I now have what I think to be a handsome, early 20th century looking panel beater stand that will be around long after it's served me. I love it, no more searching for the right hammer or having to clear off my crowded work table.

I didn't post this for "attaboys". I realize this is no grandTour de Force in fabrication compared to some of the truly talented folks in this forum. I just thought this simple shop appliance was a fun project that takes little time, little skill and little money.

Total cost: $8.00 (for the suede hide scrap)
Satisfaction: Priceless

Make one yourself, you know you have the right junk someplace, possibly even a spare pig.

PS. If you do make one, you may consider adding heavy duty locking casters to your base (before you fix the table height) so you can push it around the shop when not in use.If you want to take the extra time, you could make the table height adjustable from sitting to standing with some sort of locking collar set-up.

Cheers! Jimmy
1923 Faultless Boat tail Speedster
(Pending new engine rebuild & assy.)



MODEL A AXEL HOUSING

MODEL A AXLE SHAFT

HAMMER BOARD

PIG SKIN COVER

FINISHED PRODUCT


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Olsen on Thursday, May 23, 2013 - 07:52 pm:

Hey, that looks good. Give me a call if you want a hand putting the engine back together.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hap Tucker in Sumter SC on Thursday, May 23, 2013 - 09:33 pm:

Jimmy,

Nice job! I like it and it does look a lot more period correct than the new ones.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Charles Linsenbarth on Friday, May 24, 2013 - 08:52 am:

I think any man would like to own that fine stand, work station, like the color also.
Charley


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By JAMES STARKEY Naperville, IL on Friday, May 24, 2013 - 12:54 pm:

Even though my stand feels pretty stable, I'll probably change that base when I find a larger diameter steel plate. Jimmy

Here's some other fun examples I found on-line:








Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Saturday, May 25, 2013 - 01:32 am:

Jimmy,
That looks great!


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