Wood tack strip

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules

Topic author
dmdeaton
Posts: 730
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:43 pm
First Name: Danny
Last Name: Deaton
Location: Ohio

Wood tack strip

Post by dmdeaton » Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:45 am

I have the wood tack strips for the 26/27 roadster. The vendors sell a plastic tack strip that is flexible and would be one piece and waterproof. What is the wise words from you all on this subject. I am building a beater truck and not a show/points car


Dallas Landers
Posts: 2786
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:26 pm
First Name: Dallas
Last Name: Landers
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 Rpu, 23 TT, 24 coupe,
Location: N.E. Indiana
MTFCA Number: 49995

Re: Wood tack strip

Post by Dallas Landers » Fri Feb 05, 2021 10:01 am

I made my own from the composit / plastic board from the lumberyard. I think about 4 years ago. Drive it alot and seems to be holding the tacks well. Oh ya mine is a beater pickup also.
20201228_112701.jpg


Topic author
dmdeaton
Posts: 730
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:43 pm
First Name: Danny
Last Name: Deaton
Location: Ohio

Re: Wood tack strip

Post by dmdeaton » Fri Feb 05, 2021 10:52 am

👍👍👍 awesome
How do you fasten it ? Wood screws from the cockpit out?


Topic author
dmdeaton
Posts: 730
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:43 pm
First Name: Danny
Last Name: Deaton
Location: Ohio

Re: Wood tack strip

Post by dmdeaton » Fri Feb 05, 2021 10:54 am

Dallas
I need one of your doors 😁
57C806E9-2258-44CE-A59B-395883F54050.jpeg

User avatar

Oldav8tor
Posts: 1930
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
First Name: Tim
Last Name: Juhl
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
Location: Thumb of Michigan
MTFCA Number: 50297
MTFCI Number: 24810
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Wood tack strip

Post by Oldav8tor » Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:01 am

I started trying to fit wood trim strips from a respected supplier but the fit was such that I would have had to do a fair amount of steaming to get them to conform. I ended up doing as Dallas and making my own from composite strips I bought at Lowe's. I bought trim strips of the correct thickness and then cut them to size on a table saw. Using a heat gun and clamps, they went on super easy and are holding tacks well.

One caveat - when you heat the composite material it will soften somewhat so I cut some pieces of aluminum angle to distribute the pressure from the clamps so as to not make dents. It only takes a couple of minutes to harden to shape. I was able to do a whole seat with a single piece. I started in the middle and did one side and then the other, trimming the ends when I was done. After fitting, I removed the strips and painted them with rustoleum black (they were originally white.)
Trim_Strip2.jpg
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor


Topic author
dmdeaton
Posts: 730
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:43 pm
First Name: Danny
Last Name: Deaton
Location: Ohio

Re: Wood tack strip

Post by dmdeaton » Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:29 am

Heck
I’m used to boat building. I could steam bend some 3/4 square white oak. Maybe, I’m a little rusty


Dallas Landers
Posts: 2786
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:26 pm
First Name: Dallas
Last Name: Landers
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 Rpu, 23 TT, 24 coupe,
Location: N.E. Indiana
MTFCA Number: 49995

Re: Wood tack strip

Post by Dallas Landers » Fri Feb 05, 2021 11:48 am

My passenger door has a few bullet holes in it but doesnt detract from opperation. Makes a good conversation piece to.


Topic author
dmdeaton
Posts: 730
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:43 pm
First Name: Danny
Last Name: Deaton
Location: Ohio

Re: Wood tack strip

Post by dmdeaton » Fri Feb 05, 2021 12:58 pm

I like bullet holes
I have one in my dash and may make a couple somewhere else 😳


Dallas Landers
Posts: 2786
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:26 pm
First Name: Dallas
Last Name: Landers
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 26 Rpu, 23 TT, 24 coupe,
Location: N.E. Indiana
MTFCA Number: 49995

Re: Wood tack strip

Post by Dallas Landers » Fri Feb 05, 2021 2:09 pm

Bullet holes are only 22 cents up to $6 a piece depending on the size. Maybe free to some?😁


Topic author
dmdeaton
Posts: 730
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:43 pm
First Name: Danny
Last Name: Deaton
Location: Ohio

Re: Wood tack strip

Post by dmdeaton » Fri Feb 05, 2021 3:34 pm

You got that right


Allan
Posts: 5205
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 7:21 pm
First Name: Allan
Last Name: Bennett
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1912 van, 1917 shooting brake, 1929 roadster buckboard, 1924 tourer, 1925 barn find buckboard, 1925 D &F wide body roadster, 1927LHD Tudor sedan.
Location: Gawler, Australia

Re: Wood tack strip

Post by Allan » Fri Feb 05, 2021 6:02 pm

The wood tack strips add rigidity to the panels as well as taking the tacks. This may not be as important on the improved car bodies because of the way the tops of the panels are formed. The plastic type flexible tack strips do not add any rigidity. I am not familiar with the composite material Dallas used, unless it was MDF, so I use laminated strips of 3 ply.

Allan from down under.


John kuehn
Posts: 3907
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
First Name: John
Last Name: Kuehn
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
Location: Texas
MTFCA Number: 28924

Re: Wood tack strip

Post by John kuehn » Fri Feb 05, 2021 7:49 pm

I used the composite strips that Fordwood sells. It’s pretty rigid and molds around the body using a heat gun to form it. Works pretty well or it did for me. It attaches the same way the wood strips do. I chose to use it for tack strips for my 21 Touring. It’s pretty tough stuff.

User avatar

Oldav8tor
Posts: 1930
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
First Name: Tim
Last Name: Juhl
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1917 Touring
Location: Thumb of Michigan
MTFCA Number: 50297
MTFCI Number: 24810
Board Member Since: 2018

Re: Wood tack strip

Post by Oldav8tor » Sat Feb 06, 2021 1:51 pm

In my opinion the wood strips do not add that much rigidity to the seat backs. When I rebuilt my '17 Touring I used a combination of aluminum channel and reinforcing panels to give the seat backs more strength. It is indeed a problem that needs to be addressed. In my front seat back there were cracks extending from some of the screw holes on the top flange of the seat back. I was careful to stop drill them and to brace the area around them on the inside.
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic