Welding Tips and Tricks

I'm restoring a 1934 Chevrolet Master Sedan as a hobby. A few days ago, I won the $14 bid for a rare print of this vehicle and tonight I won the $46 bid for the very rare hood ornament. I got the hood ornament really cheap, because the beak is broken off.

I was initially thinking of using JB-Weld for the repair and use it like modeling clay. I plan on casting more of these ornaments from the original, mostly because they are so rare and also because thieves love stealing these things. It wouldn't hurt to have a few spares kicking around.

Anyway, has anyone tried repairing these rare hood ornaments by building up the missing piece with weld, and then sculpting it back to original shape? I have attached a few photos to help clarify what I am talking about.

As far as the car itself goes, it will be a long road ahead, with lots of welding along the way. It has a very good frame and body. I have all of the glass, door knobs, window trim, brand new radiator, etc. No motor, no transmission, no suspension, no axles. Most restorers are using the Mustang II front suspension. I plan on making this car into an electric vehicle with a diesel/electric hybrid trailer for cruising long distances. It will have a modern day suspension with air ride.

Its unaffordable to restore to original, so it will become a project that is both from the past and the future. For anyone considering a project like this for profit, don't even think about it. These projects are a money pit and only done out of love for a certain type of vehicle. Its a hobby and nothing more. Attached is a photo of the car at its starting point.

Every time someone has brought me something like that, it ends up being pot metal. Strike a light arc on a hidden area. Cool car.

I talked to a guy some years ago that does 3D / 5 axis milling. He could make a mock-up off of your picture that you could use for a mold to cast more. He did beautiful work and can mill just about any material you could think of to make them out of. If you want, i'll try to find his name and number.

Great car, btw! I'm looking forward to seeing the progress.

On a high-end car like that, it could be aluminum, but Jeff's right. Do a discrete test to be sure.

Steve's got a great idea, though. With the original for a model and a picture to fill in the blanks, this could easily be reproduced without risk to the original.

If it IS aluminum, I've done build-up/reduction before, but it won't be easy, as it's likely cast. It's a job for a specialist metal artist, if there's any real value to a fully restored piece.

2 cents...

Steve S

If it's not worth more than $100 if fully restored, and it IS aluminum, give it a go, but I'd follow Steve's suggestion first, and get the 3-D model before messing with it.

Steve S

Here is a scan of the hood ornament patent image. It's about 7" in length.
I would be curious to hear what it would cost to replicate this item on a CNC machine?

That's a "design patent" (note the "D" designation), and not accurate enough to produce a quality reproduction. It establishes a basis for the design as a trademark,and nothing more.

I stand by delraydella's recommendation.

The broken beak portion of the hood ornament is very small.
This is confirmed by looking at the Design patent drawings.

There are several suppliers of zinc die cast repair rods.
I have found some that I might try.
http://muggyweld.com/?view=potmetal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh5W0xbZ9es
My Meco Midget oxy/acetylene torch will come in handy for this repair.

The other idea, is to use JB-Weld putty and sculpt the beak.
The original only has to be smooth enough and strong enough to make a cast mold.
Then, I can make as many copies of the original as I wish.

This book explains the casting process for antique car parts.
http://www.amazon.com/Cast-Small-Metal- ... 0830604146

here's the website and contact info for the 5 axis guy I talked to...

http://www.millit5.com/

Thanks for the link.

delraydella wrote:here's the website and contact info for the 5 axis guy I talked to...

http://www.millit5.com/

Hey,

I had never before seen this car, but last month they had one on an episode an episode of American Pickers and I also believe I saw a reproduction ornament at a swap meet i went to last week. There was a vendor selling all sorts of badges and ornaments.

Mick

This place has some supplies you might try:

http://www.muggyweld.com/index.php?view=super1dodge

Neat project. The trailer will basically house a DC generator for the cars battery pack?

To replace the missing beak from the hood ornament, I've decided to drill a small hole into the head, then tap it and insert the threaded rod portion of a small bolt. I will then use this threaded post to attach my weld build up and then shape the beak with some small files.

I've finally decided on the color for this project. It will be a deep green, (dark emerald) for the paint. The grill, hood ornament, trim and wheels will all be done in gold color. (Green and Gold make a good combination.) My 34 Chevy was originally available in green, so I'm not too far off from original. I've attached two photos. The 34 Chevy is the same model as my car but the green color isn't quite right. I found a photo of a 35 Ford which is much closer to the color that I am looking for. I've been buying my own pigments to make the paint as the color is very hard to match and very expensive. Making my own paint is the only way for me to have affordable, creative control over the final product. http://www.earthpigments.com/

Looks cool - Hope everything works out for you.
Any Idea how long it will take to get it all put together?

Peter.

It may take several years. This is only one of my many hobbies.
I've got a poor man's bush plane on the go. http://www.zenithair.com/stolch701/index1.html
and a couple of hovercraft projects. http://amphibiousmarine.com/videos/
I'm building an oversized Vanguard 8'X16' this year and I've started collecting the parts for the Explorer 10'X20' for next year.

I just bought 12 acres of land near a very large lake, so that is yet another project.
I bought the CASE 2470 tractor for all of the heavy work. I will fit it with a front end loader and rototiller.
No shortage of things to spend money on. The projects sort of blend depending on the weather.
As soon as I am able to erect a much larger workshop, the projects will see more action.

Drowstiq wrote:Looks cool - Hope everything works out for you.
Any Idea how long it will take to get it all put together?

Peter.