Thread: 1st Build - '58 Chevy Step-Side Ute

So I've now finished both front side pieces and they actually don't look too bad! https://www.woodworkforums.com/images...py/biggrin.gif

I'm on holidays this week so I'll try and get as much done as possible since I know the project will slow a fair bit once I'm back at work. Next on the agenda are the rear side pieces, and then something to connect them all together.

I was looking up some techniques I could use for the tray cover Chevy symbol... I've got some good marquetry veneers I could try and veneer the symbol... or I could use my scroll saw and cut all the way through and insert different tymber types into the hole. Any suggestions? the benifits of the latter is that the symbol will be seen through to the other side as well..

Just got here ... I'm in for this one too. Love the truck

Greg

I have now completed cutting and shaping the rear side panels. Each panel consists of 2 pieces. 1 piece is laminated to get a bit more thickness so the curve over the wheel arch looks right. The other piece is the inside piece and will be used as the tray wall. All pieces are now cut and mostly shaped and are currently glued and clamped. Once they are dry, I'll run the sander over them again to make sure the wheel arches match on both pieces.

While that's drying, I'll get working on the front cab.

My sanders are definitely getting a workout! I'm using them primarily for all the shaping to get the curves looking right.

Good idea with the inner and outer panels.


Greg

with al that sanding that you are doing I hope you are wearing a good mask, I mean a GOOD one, I didn't , just the paper one over a beard, while I was useing my new Dremel, the following day I could not breathe properly, and it has just got worse over the ten years so that now I have COPD,and use oxygen when i exert myself, I tell you it is not much fun, THIS IS A MESSAGE FOR EVERY ONE, USE A GOOD FACE MASK!!!!!!

Originally Posted by col's dad

with al that sanding that you are doing I hope you are wearing a good mask, I mean a GOOD one, I didn't , just the paper one over a beard, while I was useing my new Dremel, the following day I could not breathe properly, and it has just got worse over the ten years so that now I have COPD,and use oxygen when i exert myself, I tell you it is not much fun, THIS IS A MESSAGE FOR EVERY ONE, USE A GOOD FACE MASK!!!!!!

Thanks for the timely reminder [col's dad], I do have a good face mask that I use with a small shop vac on as well. I must admit though on a quick 30 sec sand job here or there for a quick adjust while I'm doing something else I often omit it. https://www.woodworkforums.com/images...ctions/doh.gif Need to continue to be extra vigilent.

Here is where I am up to now. I'm still waiting for the rear panels to dry, so I fired up photoshop and drew up some 'floor plans' . This included an overall floor dimensions to cut out of some 3mm ply to connect to the bottom of the project, as well as a rough out of where all the pieces inside the cab will fit... seats, centre console etc. Printed that out and stuck it onto the ply as a guide and cut it out. Now I have a nice little base I can test fit my pieces to.

I then went ahead and cut out the front and rear pieces of the cab. The front piece seperates the cab from the engine bay and the rear piece seperates the cab from the tray. Nothing too flash as yet, just wanted to get them cut and glued up so I have a cab to work with. I'll concentrate on sanding and shaping those pieces a bit later. Now more waiting while all that dries! https://www.woodworkforums.com/images...es/rolleye.gif

Oh, and I realised I had to grind down the tops of the windows a bit to accomodate a roof! hehe. For some reason that didn't occur to me before. https://www.woodworkforums.com/images...sh-anim-cl.gif That will probably be the next thing I attack while everything is drying.

So here's how today ended up! (been busy )

Cut and shaped the top, cut and fit the bonnet (still need to shape that one), the rear sides finished drying and I was able to finish shaping those. I even got enthused and cut and shaped the 2 seats. Attached are some dry fit photos.

I have cut a lower piece for the bonnet (to fit inside between the 2 front side pieces) and the 2 pieces are currently drying.

Still have a lot to do and progress may slow a bit now, but I'm very happy with how much I have been able to get done so far.

If you have any comments or suggestions please let me know! - Thanks.

Originally Posted by col's dad

with al that sanding that you are doing I hope you are wearing a good mask, I mean a GOOD one, I didn't , just the paper one over a beard, while I was useing my new Dremel, the following day I could not breathe properly, and it has just got worse over the ten years so that now I have COPD,and use oxygen when i exert myself, I tell you it is not much fun, THIS IS A MESSAGE FOR EVERY ONE, USE A GOOD FACE MASK!!!!!!

Thanks CD for the timely reminder, we all sometimes for and the quick sand ends up at 5mins.......

G'Day Geoff,
You powering along with this build, you must be spending every waking hour in the shed whilst you're on holidays.
Keep up the great progress, good build notes & top photos, thank you..
Cheers, crowie

Nice work, great build, look forward to seeing this progress.

I might be a little late but I take a seat at the rear as most seats are taken in the front.

Well Geoff I'm a day late but here are the pictures I promised. Its really hard to see the detail because everything is chromed. But I did take measurements for you.

Here are the measurements. And this is 1/12th scale. Blower case 1 5/16" Long x 1 1/8" wide x 3/4" tall Carb mounts on top are 7/16" wide. The front and rear plates are 5/8" tall x 7/8" wide. Hope this helps you some. Bret

Originally Posted by bj383ss

Here are the measurements. And this is 1/12th scale. Blower case 1 5/16" Long x 1 1/8" wide x 3/4" tall Carb mounts on top are 7/16" wide. The front and rear plates are 5/8" tall x 7/8" wide. Hope this helps you some. Bret

Thanks Bret! That's actually a little (read A LOT!) scary! How the hell do I replicate that in wood? I've been too busy with the rest of the car I didn't even stop to think about how to do the engine... I might have to start brushing up on my carving skills Dimensions and pics are a big help though! Thanks.

While I'm asking questions, one more for today. To stain or not to stain? Suggestions? I'm only thinking of the main car (red oak pieces). Attached are some experiments with 3 stains I had lying around. I think a stain will really bring out the contrast with the other timbers, but if I do stain, I want it to still look like the original car... this is a model of a real existing car after all and I'm trying to stay as true as I can to the original. Please comment if you have a suggestion... if you think stain; please specify which stain you're thinking, if not to stain; then what finish do you recommend?

Still on the learning curve! Thanks everyone for their support and kind words so far