The ability to take flat scrap sheet metal scavenged from old office furniture and turn it into complicated body panels with nothing but basic shop tools is amazing!
Thank you so much.I was looking to fix drip rail on my Nissan sentra.Had no idea how to start.You gave me the inspiration.One big thing is not to overtime the process.
I'm only a minute in and clicked like already, I know good work is coming! I'm dong the roof on my truck now, so this is motivational for me. Thank you.
Fantastic repair. This makes me appreciate one of the few plus factors of living in California -- RUST FREE CARS (or nearly so, depending on location).
Tony, you are a master craftsman. Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge with us. Really appreciate it and really enjoy watching your educational videos.
Hey it's fun to watch a man who knows what he is doing! Great work as always Mr. Fitzee!!! It is a lot easier to watch you then go outside and do it myself!! Your show just keeps getting better and better!!
Tony, ALL of your videos make a daunting job much more approachable! YOU are a MASTER at this! Your guidance and the way you explain the process is on another level! 💯👍 Thank you for sharing these skills, Sir! It's definitely one of my all-time top channels that I follow! Have a blessed day! Steve 👍
That's no doubt going to be the cleanest, most rust free yota on the planet when you get done with it, it's amazing how much rust is hidden in such a little car, great tips as always Tony, can't wait for the next one
Yep, even in Baltimore where vehicles suffer far less salt-induced corrosion, these Toyotas almost consistently met their end being driven to the scrapyard with their floors falling through
Considering that this will prob be the last year for my car (07 G5) I've put a lot into it but, the rockers are done!!!! What a dream it would be to have you repair them properly!!!
Hey Tony, lots of great tips! Again!;) Through trial and error I've found the same technique when I blow a hole. Thicken the edge of the hole and work back to the new metal. Drip rail!:( You helped me a year ago get through the roof edge rust on my 64 F100. Inner and outer hood lip as well. I've been using a high quality urethane sealant as a seam filler. Printable, long lasting and much cheaper. My first jeep was completed fourteen years ago and still holding up great. No, I don't drive it in the Wisconsin salt. Almost all of the rust repair I've seen is from seam sealer fail and dirt and debris trapping moisture. Got to clean and reseal those seams !:) Thanks for all the help!😊
Hi Tony, I've been following your channel for a while now, it inspired me to start my own channel, which is doing much better than I ever expected, much of what I've learned from you can be seen in my work, I, of course give you due credit for that 😊. The most useful thing I've picked up is the cut & butt process, it's close to what I used to do, but so much better. Thank you so much for your time and willingness to share your years of knowledge. Dave
I'm always in awe of these videos. I wish I could figure out how to do some of this stuff for my junk cars. I guess the first step is to cut into one of them and don't fear the mistakes.
Enjoyed this video so much.... This is what I needed to see,, now I have some idea on how to tackle the roof /drip edge on my Old F-100.... Thanks again Tony, Excellent Tips....
Can’t believe I watched you make that panel just like it was nothing! Amazing skills Tony just shows what can be done with a bit of bravery and know how . Amazing viewing ….thanks 👍
Hi Tony, this was a pretty complicated repair….I love your approach and doing it in steps…..you made it look easy enough,but,it was a complicated repair……amazing how much rust was just sitting up on the inner panel waiting to bust out. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and making this video. The repairs keep you busy and taping it takes time. Another great repair !
This is the hardest part to repair on a car. The metal spreader surely is home built and I want to watch that vidya. Once again Fritz blows my mine with the ability to repair using simple basic tools.
Mr. Fitzee, Thank you for another amazing video! This is going to help me repair the gutters/drip rails on my 1962 F100 Unibody truck. Greatly appreciate you and the knowledge you are sharing with us.
Mr I have learn a lot from you I started watching your videos back when they had us locked up due to covid ,I'm restoring my OBS bronco, I took the skin top off cause I had liner holes and I had decided to trim off side rails but watching this video I'm going to make them back to original, thank you for sharing your skills your awesome, stick around!
Very good instructional video on how to repair something that's impossible to repair. Not many fabricators would take on a vehicle as rusty as this one was to start with. That's one thing with doing this for yourself, imagine the repair bill if you had to pay someone to do this.
Another brilliant video. Running out of ways to compliment them... Thanks again Fitzee, it obviously takes you a lot of extra time to make your work into a full on tutorial and edit the videos for (us) the channel. Hope you know how much we appreciate it 👍
There’s just no substitute for experience, you’re just so quick and efficient at patching rust holes. I would have farted around for hours on that first rust hole you fixed, and you just warmed up on that like it was nothing. A pleasure to watch u work bud 👍
Dang Tony, you never cease to amaze me sir. That came out amazing compared to why you started with. I pick up so many awesome tips and tricks watching your Channel. I'm so thankful for you sharing your knowledge. I always look forward to your next video. Keep up the awesome content. I love your channel Tony! Keep On Keeping On Brother!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
That is stunning work! This video is a brilliant example of your method of breaking down a daunting task into small, manageable pieces. Thank you so much Tony
thank you so much i have been waiting and hoping for this video for so long...this is a job i have to do in the near future and must admit had me beat. i wondered what exactly i would be in for doing this and for the life of me had no idea having now watched you do it i feel very confident about doing and am actually looking forward to doing it thank you joe
I so look forward to your videos every week there is always something to be learned from your experiance in metal working thank you my friend . God bless take care.
More amazing techniques and why you use them. That's what makes your videos so valuable! How to work with thin steel is so frustrating....you just put more tools in my toolbox!
I am having a tough time repairing a drip rail on the front of a 1993 Dodge D150 pickup. I removed 3 inches of the outer roof and 3 inches of the inner roof. I fabricated the inner roof and welded it in. Tough job. I have now fabricated the outer roof skin and have to rebuild the front drip rail. Tough job but after watching you I feel a little more confident. I am not at your skill level (I wish I was) but I am going to take my time piece by piece. I have coated the inner skins with a marine epoxy. Dries like glass , slightly thick. I have used it before on sheet metal repair and absolutely no rust years after. Thanks for your video Len V 😅
And another fantastic Display of your talent me son......I am 70 years old, have built and repaired numerous cars and trucks......You have showed me tricks I wish I had known years ago.....Keep up the good teaching.....it is priceless. Have a good day bye.
love all your tricks and tips Fitz like bringing the metal up to the line with a hammer. I've not seen this trick before good stuff. I used it before to get a sharper line but I've never done it to lower or raise the metal to the line. Great tips man. Your a true craftsman in your trade.
Hi Tony, old Crusty is looking better and better. I had to make an inner cab corner for my truck because there were none available already made. I did it in multiple pieces more out of necessity than out of a plan. It came out pretty good and actually better than I expected with a light coat of kitty hair filler. Since the original panel was completely gone, I didn't really know what it was supposed to look like. It seems easier to put a little piece here and a little piece there, working as you go, untill it becomes one structure. Thanks for the video, they are very helpful! -mike
I'm about to replace a good inch or more in for my drip rails on my roof a 71 Chevelle and honestly what you've done here is a whole lot more involved Thx
As always, Tony; it's Fitzabulous! I have the greatest respect for your ability and methods of attack! Well doneand a really enjoyable post which makes a complex job look easy.. though I doubt I could master it!
I enjoy all your videos. You are so thorough in your explanation of all your methods. You are a very talented fabricator, and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
Oh my god! Shrinker & Strecher was used by Fitzie. It is like cheating! For sure you could do it only with a hammer? Great one again! Thank you for shering alm your tricks and skills with us. 👏👏👏
I find the hardest bit of resto bodywork is getting the balance of 'don't cut off more than you need to' and 'don't be afraid to cut through bits that aren't rotten'. Vids like this have given me the confidence to really get into fixing up my cars properly.
So amazing Tony, I removed my entire roof skin because of this very failure in my roof. I felt good about it because of all the other layers, but I can see I could have done it similar to what you did and it would have been perfectly fine. Oh well, I learned a bunch doing it the way I did.
Amazing Tony, just, simply, amazing! I have a complicated panel to sort out on my project. When I first started it about 5 years ago a replacement panel was available from BMW albeit expensive as always. Now there is no replacement available so have no choice but repair it. You give me the confidence to give it a go, many thanks.
Thank you very much. I've been looking for this since I first discovered your channel, pretty much right from the start. I've learnt so much from your videos. The tips were definitely good, thank you.
it is in the case where the sheet metal is so thin that a MIG welder equipped with an infinite heat control proves its utility over one machine that have just some cogs for heat adjustment. repairing such a wreck is truly a patience play as about everything you touch is rust and crust. very good video.
Thought I was done, but found a similar flaw in the A pillar of my malibu. I'm lucky though, and know where I can just cut this part out of a good donor. Thanks for the inspiration again!
Tony, if I could give this video a hundred likes, I would, mate. Superb piece of instruction and thorough explanation of how to tackle one of the nastiest spots to remedy properly. If you are familiar with the classic Mini (1959-2000), you'll know how often cars rot out around the roof line - either starting in the gutter or (like Krusty) about an inch above the gutter line. It always baffled me until I pulled the hood lining out of a MkIII Mini to see those inner roof supports like Krusty has. They get condensation on them from the differences in temperature and also were never painted from factory, so they get scaly......then the scale falls off and sits between the supports and the roof panel and then nature takes hold and makes a little window in the steel where it shouldn't be. Owning a Mini myself, I noticed the process had just started in one of the drip rails, so I have de-scaled, sanded and treated the area before touching the paint up again. I am now watching to see if it will reappear.....all the while thinking of the worst case scenario and how to tackle it if it started going further up. There are guys I know who love the breed, but won't touch a Mini with a minor spot of rust in the area because of the knowledge of what it can become. I've also seen some basket cases where someone has just filled the holes and thrown a coat of paint at it....and then it has all bulged out when the rotting continues underneath. Seeing the very similar setup on Krusty being addressed has given me a much better understanding of HOW and WHY it has happened and the knowledge of how to pick it apart, see how it is put together and make it right again without going to the monumental expense of removing and replacing the entire roof panel (as some have done). I cannot thank you enough, mate. I really can't. I've been watching your projects for several years now and learn something new every time. I especially enjoy your work because of your use of tools that are in most hobbyist's garages and have re-watched some earlier videos where (among other techniques) you used your hammer, dolly and a cut piece of pipe to stretch a small crown into a piece to fit to a project. Not having access to an English wheel or shrinker-stretcher, these are fantastic tips to work with what I have and it was great to see some of them being used again in this video. My one question though - if you need to shrink something and don't have a shrinker-stretcher, what can you use? I've seen you tackle complex corners with several pieces of metal and cut small reliefs into a section where shrinking could have been used. Is there any other methods you would (or do) use to shrink metal instead of using the shrinker-stretcher tool? As for stretching, I've seen you use your hammer to beat the top couple of inches of a panel so that it will cause the panel to describe a gentle arc (and yes, it takes a lot longer than the specific stretcher tool, but it works, eh!), With stretching and the many ways where metal needs to stretch to look right when in place, there are multiple ways of getting it done depending on the desired shape, but shrinking it again (if I overdo the bend or the crown etc) seems to evade me.... so any tips on how to shrink metal without a shrinking tool would be much appreciated! Many thanks and all the best
Shrinking has always been trouble to do with basic tools. I played around with cutting. Dabbing it with mig then cooling it fast.even use a pick hammer and a round peice of pipe to pick a dent in middle of a high spot then hammer it out. Sometimes all this stuff works while sometimes it dont
@@fitzeesfabrications Thanks Tony. Maybe I will just have to bite the bullet and get a shrinker-stretcher, eh? It would also make stretching easier and quicker too..... Either that or I just keep practising....but then again, the time and cost of several failed pieces would probably pay for it! I appreciate your taking the time to provide some advice (and your honesty about the issue) though. All the best.
The ability to take flat scrap sheet metal scavenged from old office furniture and turn it into complicated body panels with nothing but basic shop tools is amazing!
That well insulated garage may become a more attractive place to be as the weather gets colder so I'm hoping to see more of that as we go along.
Talk about God send. I’ve been stuck on my car…. Drip rails, roof structure. I’ll be watching this a few times over the next weeks
Thank you so much.I was looking to fix drip rail on my Nissan sentra.Had no idea how to start.You gave me the inspiration.One big thing is not to overtime the process.
I'm only a minute in and clicked like already, I know good work is coming!
I'm dong the roof on my truck now, so this is motivational for me. Thank you.
"Calm down, b'y! One step at a time!" You tell us, Tony! Love it!
Thank you for giving me the confidence to tackle my drip rail rust. Your channel is all anyone needs .
Fantastic repair. This makes me appreciate one of the few plus factors of living in California -- RUST FREE CARS (or nearly so, depending on location).
Tony, you are a master craftsman. Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge with us. Really appreciate it and really enjoy watching your educational videos.
Hey it's fun to watch a man who knows what he is doing! Great work as always Mr. Fitzee!!! It is a lot easier to watch you then go outside and do it myself!! Your show just keeps getting better and better!!
Tony, ALL of your videos make a daunting job much more approachable! YOU are a MASTER at this!
Your guidance and the way you explain the process is on another level! 💯👍
Thank you for sharing these skills, Sir!
It's definitely one of my all-time top channels that I follow!
Have a blessed day! Steve 👍
Keep coming back to your channel -watch your videos over and over for motivation and to learn your techniques- your the best keep them coming!
That's no doubt going to be the cleanest, most rust free yota on the planet when you get done with it, it's amazing how much rust is hidden in such a little car, great tips as always Tony, can't wait for the next one
Rust is what killed them. Bulletproof mechanicals, but oh do they rust, that ones actually really good! 😀
Yep, even in Baltimore where vehicles suffer far less salt-induced corrosion, these Toyotas almost consistently met their end being driven to the scrapyard with their floors falling through
FITZEE ive been doing this type of work for almost fifty years i learn from you your a credit to the profession many thx
The tips were great. I was wondering how that was all going to fit together, you make it look so easy.
Considering that this will prob be the last year for my car (07 G5) I've put a lot into it but, the rockers are done!!!! What a dream it would be to have you repair them properly!!!
Hey Tony, lots of great tips! Again!;) Through trial and error I've found the same technique when I blow a hole. Thicken the edge of the hole and work back to the new metal. Drip rail!:( You helped me a year ago get through the roof edge rust on my 64 F100. Inner and outer hood lip as well. I've been using a high quality urethane sealant as a seam filler. Printable, long lasting and much cheaper. My first jeep was completed fourteen years ago and still holding up great. No, I don't drive it in the Wisconsin salt. Almost all of the rust repair I've seen is from seam sealer fail and dirt and debris trapping moisture. Got to clean and reseal those seams !:) Thanks for all the help!😊
I Like the idea of using that RIng....I have used a Sand bag. I guess it does about the same thing. and just scrap around the shop.
You are such a great teacher, simple explanations every step of the way. IMO the best on RUclips in this subject.
Some of these repairs, I think I might be able to do...but this one is clearly on another level!
Hi Tony, I've been following your channel for a while now, it inspired me to start my own channel, which is doing much better than I ever expected, much of what I've learned from you can be seen in my work, I, of course give you due credit for that 😊. The most useful thing I've picked up is the cut & butt process, it's close to what I used to do, but so much better.
Thank you so much for your time and willingness to share your years of knowledge.
Dave
MOST CERTAINLY I'll stick around!! Your work is as interesting as can be. Greetings from Ohio.
Great job could watch your videos for hours keep up great work 👍
I'm always in awe of these videos. I wish I could figure out how to do some of this stuff for my junk cars. I guess the first step is to cut into one of them and don't fear the mistakes.
Enjoyed this video so much....
This is what I needed to see,, now I have some idea on how to tackle the roof /drip edge on my Old F-100.... Thanks again Tony, Excellent Tips....
Can’t believe I watched you make that panel just like it was nothing! Amazing skills Tony just shows what can be done with a bit of bravery and know how . Amazing viewing ….thanks 👍
Hi Tony, this was a pretty complicated repair….I love your approach and doing it in steps…..you made it look easy enough,but,it was a complicated repair……amazing how much rust was just sitting up on the inner panel waiting to bust out. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and making this video. The repairs keep you busy and taping it takes time. Another great repair !
Thank's very much .For letting me watch and learn .From some one like you .that is so good at his work .
You are an inspiration! Thanks you for sharing your expertise and skills!
I've learned so much from you Tony. I have a 1968 VW Beetle and learned to weld using your techniques. I will take a 2xl hoodie soon. Thanks!
This is the hardest part to repair on a car. The metal spreader surely is home built and I want to watch that vidya. Once again Fritz blows my mine with the ability to repair using simple basic tools.
Good stuff Tony. Thanks again for sharing your skills with us.👍👍❤
Mr. Fitzee, Thank you for another amazing video! This is going to help me repair the gutters/drip rails on my 1962 F100 Unibody truck. Greatly appreciate you and the knowledge you are sharing with us.
Mr I have learn a lot from you I started watching your videos back when they had us locked up due to covid ,I'm restoring my OBS bronco, I took the skin top off cause I had liner holes and I had decided to trim off side rails but watching this video I'm going to make them back to original, thank you for sharing your skills your awesome, stick around!
That was a great demonstration. We’ll done Fitzee.
Very good instructional video on how to repair something that's impossible to repair. Not many fabricators would take on a vehicle as rusty as this one was to start with. That's one thing with doing this for yourself, imagine the repair bill if you had to pay someone to do this.
Another brilliant video. Running out of ways to compliment them... Thanks again Fitzee, it obviously takes you a lot of extra time to make your work into a full on tutorial and edit the videos for (us) the channel. Hope you know how much we appreciate it 👍
Great video, thanks again, all the best to you and your loved ones
Always inspirational watching your clips.thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Always learning something new.
There’s just no substitute for experience, you’re just so quick and efficient at patching rust holes. I would have farted around for hours on that first rust hole you fixed, and you just warmed up on that like it was nothing. A pleasure to watch u work bud 👍
You are a true craftsman, I watch your videos with amazement Bill N LI NY
Thanks Fitzee for showing these three layer panel joins in plain English,using basic tools,you have inspired me to no end.
Love the detail you provide, thank you so much
Thanks mate. 150 videos in and I'm still learning from you. It is much appreciated.
Dang Tony, you never cease to amaze me sir. That came out amazing compared to why you started with. I pick up so many awesome tips and tricks watching your Channel. I'm so thankful for you sharing your knowledge. I always look forward to your next video. Keep up the awesome content. I love your channel Tony! Keep On Keeping On Brother!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
An excellent explanation!!! Worth watching many times and get more knowledge! Thank you Tony!!! Now I have an excuse to get a shrink-stretcher!!!!!
That is stunning work! This video is a brilliant example of your method of breaking down a daunting task into small, manageable pieces. Thank you so much Tony
So nice to see your work and hear you explain your process! Thank you for these videos!
thank you so much i have been waiting and hoping for this video for so long...this is a job i have to do in the near future and must admit had me beat.
i wondered what exactly i would be in for doing this and for the life of me had no idea
having now watched you do it i feel very confident about doing and am actually looking forward to doing it
thank you joe
I so look forward to your videos every week there is always something to be learned from your experiance in metal working thank you my friend . God bless take care.
You make it look so easy Fitzee. Good job bro.
More amazing techniques and why you use them. That's what makes your videos so valuable! How to work with thin steel is so frustrating....you just put more tools in my toolbox!
I am having a tough time repairing a drip rail on the front of a 1993 Dodge D150 pickup. I removed 3 inches of the outer roof and 3 inches of the inner roof. I fabricated the inner roof and welded it in. Tough job. I have now fabricated the outer roof skin and have to rebuild the front drip rail. Tough job but after watching you I feel a little more confident. I am not at your skill level (I wish I was) but I am going to take my time piece by piece. I have coated the inner skins with a marine epoxy. Dries like glass , slightly thick. I have used it before on sheet metal repair and absolutely no rust years after. Thanks for your video Len V 😅
And another fantastic Display of your talent me son......I am 70 years old, have built and repaired numerous cars and trucks......You have showed me tricks I wish I had known years ago.....Keep up the good teaching.....it is priceless. Have a good day bye.
Outstanding Tony! I stay 100% away from old vinyl tops bc of this. Great content as usual.
love all your tricks and tips Fitz like bringing the metal up to the line with a hammer. I've not seen this trick before good stuff. I used it before to get a sharper line but I've never done it to lower or raise the metal to the line. Great tips man. Your a true craftsman in your trade.
Hi Tony, old Crusty is looking better and better. I had to make an inner cab corner for my truck because there were none available already made. I did it in multiple pieces more out of necessity than out of a plan. It came out pretty good and actually better than I expected with a light coat of kitty hair filler. Since the original panel was completely gone, I didn't really know what it was supposed to look like. It seems easier to put a little piece here and a little piece there, working as you go, untill it becomes one structure. Thanks for the video, they are very helpful!
-mike
Fitzee all those years really come out in your metal work.. i always look forward to you videos. Thanks. You still need to protect them eys
Another excellent video by the Master Welder.
Amazing work as always Tony. You make things look easy. I always look forward to the inspector coming out and checking your work.
I'm about to replace a good inch or more in for my drip rails on my roof a 71 Chevelle and honestly what you've done here is a whole lot more involved Thx
I was wondering, rather fearing how to fix my gutters.
Now I have a plan, do it like you showed us on this video !
Thanks.
It has come a long way looking very good well done sir Tony
As always, Tony; it's Fitzabulous! I have the greatest respect for your ability and methods of attack! Well doneand a really enjoyable post which makes a complex job look easy.. though I doubt I could master it!
Just start and it will come to you with practice
One of my 1st projects was a drip rail. I wish this video existed back then. I almost feel like doing it again properly. One of your best videos.
That was another awesome video Tony full of tips. Great day hanging out in the shop with you thanks for taking us along
I enjoy all your videos. You are so thorough in your explanation of all your methods. You are a very talented fabricator, and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
Oh my god! Shrinker & Strecher was used by Fitzie. It is like cheating! For sure you could do it only with a hammer?
Great one again! Thank you for shering alm your tricks and skills with us. 👏👏👏
Wow! Thanks for the video. Fixing driprails seemed overwhelming. I hope to use your approach and save my basket case. Fearless Fitzee to the rescue!!!
I find the hardest bit of resto bodywork is getting the balance of 'don't cut off more than you need to' and 'don't be afraid to cut through bits that aren't rotten'. Vids like this have given me the confidence to really get into fixing up my cars properly.
More beautiful work , this is a great lesson in saving a car that looked so bad it looked impossible , But not for you !
Fantastic demo. Never fun playing with 22ga.
I've done body work for 30 years or so, keep up the good work. I enjoy watching your videos, especially since I've retired.
Thanks for sharing your talent with us all Tony! Truly enjoy and appreciate you! Amazing work as always!
So amazing Tony, I removed my entire roof skin because of this very failure in my roof. I felt good about it because of all the other layers, but I can see I could have done it similar to what you did and it would have been perfectly fine. Oh well, I learned a bunch doing it the way I did.
Think if I had the option I replace the whole skin. You will get a much better result and can look after those trouble areas with skin off
Another great one.
Love the shrinker stretcher stand, proves that simple is better.
Amazing Tony, just, simply, amazing! I have a complicated panel to sort out on my project. When I first started it about 5 years ago a replacement panel was available from BMW albeit expensive as always. Now there is no replacement available so have no choice but repair it. You give me the confidence to give it a go, many thanks.
Thanks for sharing great video. Now I know what I’m up against in my 82 Toyota pickup rusty drip rail. This is a big help.
Love watching you videos. It’s amazing what you do. Keep it going!!!
As you said. A new day and new rust. I have had many many of them!
Crusty is such a cool project to watch transform. I love this series of videos. Keep them coming please!
Great work young man and a great instructional video too!
Great job Fitzee, Crusty is really taking shape. Thank you for sharing. Be good and stay safe. 👍
Really enjoy your videos have been learning a lot for the project I am working on
Great work as always Tony. Looking forward to Crusty racing down the track!
The sheet metal Professor. Amazing work!
Awesome video on part two the right side of Crusty roof and rub raiI. I learned a lot and the tips were good.
That was an amazing job. You made it seem easy. Thanks for the lesson.
I welded up some 1mm sheet metal "Fitzee style" the other day, worked a charm!
Thank you very much. I've been looking for this since I first discovered your channel, pretty much right from the start. I've learnt so much from your videos. The tips were definitely good, thank you.
Excellent Tony, the tips were good as usual
Amazing craftsmanship Fitzee!!
Looking really good from when I first seen the start on this car . Great work.
Thanks Tony the tips were great,time for me to tackle mine :)
learning from a master is all I cam say. Thank you for sharing
Looks good Fitzee! I’ll bet the roof sounds real solid when you rap on it!
it is in the case where the sheet metal is so thin that a MIG welder equipped with an infinite heat control proves its utility over one machine that have just some cogs for heat adjustment.
repairing such a wreck is truly a patience play as about everything you touch is rust and crust.
very good video.
Tony, you need to offer some official Fitzee's coveralls. The tips were good!!
Makes total sense on how you repaired that Corolla. I like the idea of using the car as a template. Why wouldn't you? Thanks for another video.
Thought I was done, but found a similar flaw in the A pillar of my malibu. I'm lucky though, and know where I can just cut this part out of a good donor. Thanks for the inspiration again!
Tony, if I could give this video a hundred likes, I would, mate. Superb piece of instruction and thorough explanation of how to tackle one of the nastiest spots to remedy properly.
If you are familiar with the classic Mini (1959-2000), you'll know how often cars rot out around the roof line - either starting in the gutter or (like Krusty) about an inch above the gutter line. It always baffled me until I pulled the hood lining out of a MkIII Mini to see those inner roof supports like Krusty has. They get condensation on them from the differences in temperature and also were never painted from factory, so they get scaly......then the scale falls off and sits between the supports and the roof panel and then nature takes hold and makes a little window in the steel where it shouldn't be.
Owning a Mini myself, I noticed the process had just started in one of the drip rails, so I have de-scaled, sanded and treated the area before touching the paint up again. I am now watching to see if it will reappear.....all the while thinking of the worst case scenario and how to tackle it if it started going further up. There are guys I know who love the breed, but won't touch a Mini with a minor spot of rust in the area because of the knowledge of what it can become. I've also seen some basket cases where someone has just filled the holes and thrown a coat of paint at it....and then it has all bulged out when the rotting continues underneath. Seeing the very similar setup on Krusty being addressed has given me a much better understanding of HOW and WHY it has happened and the knowledge of how to pick it apart, see how it is put together and make it right again without going to the monumental expense of removing and replacing the entire roof panel (as some have done).
I cannot thank you enough, mate. I really can't. I've been watching your projects for several years now and learn something new every time. I especially enjoy your work because of your use of tools that are in most hobbyist's garages and have re-watched some earlier videos where (among other techniques) you used your hammer, dolly and a cut piece of pipe to stretch a small crown into a piece to fit to a project. Not having access to an English wheel or shrinker-stretcher, these are fantastic tips to work with what I have and it was great to see some of them being used again in this video.
My one question though - if you need to shrink something and don't have a shrinker-stretcher, what can you use? I've seen you tackle complex corners with several pieces of metal and cut small reliefs into a section where shrinking could have been used. Is there any other methods you would (or do) use to shrink metal instead of using the shrinker-stretcher tool?
As for stretching, I've seen you use your hammer to beat the top couple of inches of a panel so that it will cause the panel to describe a gentle arc (and yes, it takes a lot longer than the specific stretcher tool, but it works, eh!), With stretching and the many ways where metal needs to stretch to look right when in place, there are multiple ways of getting it done depending on the desired shape, but shrinking it again (if I overdo the bend or the crown etc) seems to evade me.... so any tips on how to shrink metal without a shrinking tool would be much appreciated!
Many thanks and all the best
Shrinking has always been trouble to do with basic tools. I played around with cutting. Dabbing it with mig then cooling it fast.even use a pick hammer and a round peice of pipe to pick a dent in middle of a high spot then hammer it out. Sometimes all this stuff works while sometimes it dont
@@fitzeesfabrications Thanks Tony. Maybe I will just have to bite the bullet and get a shrinker-stretcher, eh? It would also make stretching easier and quicker too..... Either that or I just keep practising....but then again, the time and cost of several failed pieces would probably pay for it! I appreciate your taking the time to provide some advice (and your honesty about the issue) though. All the best.