2 years ago i went through this process. Man what a feeling it is to get it behind you. Good luck and congrats

 

Hi Tony. Thats a good idea jsing the spinner knob off a tractor, I may try that! I didn't scrap the tailgate panel, I ended up practicing on it some more. I cut out the center where I messed up bead that ran down the center, then I made a new insert for it. I tried doing a diamond pattern, it didn't turn out half bad, I'm starting to get a little better. The hardest thing for me is to do is roll a longer straight line, even with the fence that I attached it is really easy to get off your straight edge. I tried having my wife turn the handle for me, and my son helped yesterday. but it's hard to anticipate how much force that they are going to use, it's really touchy and easy to move your work when your not trying to. I think part of the problem is I wasn't using a table. Today I rigged up a make shift table to help support the sheetmetal, it should help alot, and also reduce the amount of panel warp I'm getting.



^^^I was getting the diamond pattern down pretty good but since I didn't have a table attachment (at the time) the weight if the sheetmetal hanging unsupported caused it to have a bad curve (almost half circle). I tried straightening it but you can still see where its warped. The diamond pattern looks cool though, at certain angles it almost has a 3D look to the texture. I'm learning as I go!

Thanks buddy! That's awesome news about the house, congratulations! It's a great feeling being able to make a place "yours" and not having to get permission or answering to anyone. That will be sweet when you get your garage all setup!



.

 

Ed that's looks sweet. And sounds like the table will really help you. Maybe when you start running a bunch of similar parts a double fence type jig may help. Keep on keepin on!

 

Thanks Tony, I appreciate the encouragement. It can be frustrating at times, but also gratifying when something actually works out. I think the table will help alot too! Here a few more pics of some different style cargo doors I was practicing on. On one I tried to match the diamond pattern from the tailgate panel insert, the other is some dimpled speed holes.





I cut out a door panel...blank canvas

^^^Still trying to decide what to do on it, not sure if I should do some more diamond pattern on part of it or try something different...





.

 

those are looking great! now just glue some black speaker mesh to the back side of those speed holes to keep prying eyes from seeing whats inside.

 

Thanks, I like the looks of the speed holes, that's a good idea using the speaker mesh!

I was messing around with the door panels, trying to come up with a design yesterday. Made this accent panel. It didnt quite turn out how I wanted, but gave me alot of ideas.

it's pretty impressive how much rigidity the holes and 90° bends add to the sheetmetal

 

^^^ here is a pic of the first center console I built for my 86' 4runner a few years back
^^^ here is another pic of it when it was finished
for my new console I was used the old one as a template. Even though the new one will be taller and longer I wanted it to be compatable with the factory shifter console, (or what's left of it, lol)
my first console I built out of some 14 gauge. since im using left over 18 gauge for this one I wanted to add some strength to it so I built a frame out of some flat bar

I bought some goodies awhile back. Stainless steel cupholder and stainless latch/lock

 

Ed - cool center console! I like it much better than my ammo can...I just can't work metal like you. I'd love to see how you plan to mount that latch.

 

Thanks Cory, I thought your ammo can console turned out sweet! I hope to get back on my center console project pretty soon, I have a few other projects to complete first. I'm going to be making a set of rear cargo doors for liveoffroad, I'm still working on the design. I got some 20 gauge sheet metal finally. It's a lot easier to work with in the beadroller than the 18 gauge. I was practicing today, this is my first attempt at doing lettering, it came out pretty good for my first try. The important thing is I learned a few things while doing it, so hopefully I won't make the same mistakes on the next one!

 

Dang dude that looks amazing! When you get everything where you want it, send me some pics and I will put them up on my website for sale. Can't wait til you start on the floor pans

 

Looks good Ed, started playing with my suspension stuff this week, going to be lots of metal work in my future.

 

Ed - those Teq doors are awesome!

 

Thanks Tony, that would be awesome for you to do that! I'very noticed improvements on each piece I've done lately. I would still like to motorized my bead roller to make it easier on myself, and I think it would improve the quality, also some new specialty dies would be nice.

Your 4runner is going to be awesome! Are you building the front suspension as a one off for your vehicle or is this going to be a kit that your going to be selling?
Thanks cory! Here's a couple pics of one I worked on today. I was thinking of doing a light diamond pattern in the background, fainter than the border outline, what do you guys think, try it or leave it as is?

 

Ed, wow those toyota logo ones are insane, love them!

 

Nice Job Ed!_

 

Initially I plan on just doing it all for myself, but if it turns out working well I don't see a problem with making it into a kit. It will all depend on how it works and what it would cost to make it into a kit.

 

You have some great metal working skills. Getting the logo in had to take some time and practice. Looks great.

 

Thanks Cory!
Thanks Robb!
Thanks Terry! I notice some improvements the last few practices pieces I did, my main problem is I need to be patient if you get in a hurry or try to take a short cut you'll make a mistake, lol.

I hope it works well that would be sweet if you made a kit!

 

Looks great, Ed!

 

Thanks! I did a couple more, the first one is another cargo door, the second one is just a practice piece.