Dave...Michigan

[Coffinmaker]

Man I hate this part...LOL. My name is Dave and I live in Dearborn,Michigan.I have always been a part of re-building cars,so many I think I lost count.Camaros,Mustangs and a few Dodges for good luck.Most cars were street cars to race, a few to cruise in.I have been out of buidling for a while but I guess you never get it out of your system..to build more.
What brought me back was a show I saw about 2 yeras ago.I think it was on the TLC or maybe the Discovery channel,cant be sure.It was a show about Rat Rods and the people who build them.One part showed a group of guys.( cant remember the club name..if they had one..) and they would go to each others house to help the other member build a car.
I thought that was the coolest thing around and man did the bug to re-build hit me hard..!!! I really dont know what kind of a rat rod I want to build..( Seen SO MANY cool cars and trucks..!!) I am kinda overwhelmed by all of it.
Learning all of these new terms and such..WOW.I know I want to build but will need a HUGE hand in this and this is why I joined.I have access to as much steel as I want..( work for a company that uses 2x3 and 2x4 tubing so its free to me...) but still need a hand.I really dont do good in reading but showing me works SO much better.I guess what I need is someone in Michigan that can help me,or who lives close by.I can travel on weekends mostly..figure some of us might get together and kick around a few ideas.
Let me knwo what you guys think and thanks...

 

[BruceR&C]

Welcome to RRR, Dave. You found the right spot. Lot's of knowledge here. No doubt some one will be able to help you out.

 

[Coffinmaker]

Is it better to....

I was wondering as I see some half done projects and began to wonder..is it better to buy something already started...I am leary though..how does one know if it was done right...? Are the welds done the right way or were they done wrong and whoever started it just figured it out and now wants to dumb the car..?
What I really want to make sure is that it is done right so I dont spend money I dont have trying to fix up a screw up... I CANT WAIT...muhahahahahahaha..GF says I spend more time starting this project then paying attention to her....I can always replace here I tell her...LMAO

 

[Bonehead]

Welcome to the site. You probably need to narrow down what you want to build/ drive.
Then be sure to look over all the build threads, and get an idea of what it is going to take. You hit the nail, when you asked about 1/2 done projects. We have seen guys buy stuff that turned out to be junk, and they sold it and started over. But there are a few builders who like startig projects, and moving to the next one. Some have major skills.

 

[Gastrick]

Welcome to RRR Dave. I'm going to echo what Bonehead said about purchasing partially finished projects. Sometimes you are getting a well built, safe project that just isn't finished for one reason or another, and sometimes you are just buying junk and are forced to basically start from scratch after the purchase. If you feel comfortable with you skill level, Building a chassis is well within reason if you have the time. The free steel is obviously a bonus for you.

Depending on the project you start with, you may not even need much along the line of heavy chassis modification. Do you have a project in mind?

 

[50Ford]

Welcome aboard! Find something you like and go for it.

 

[dmw56]

See that wasn't so bad. Welcome to RRR. I remember that show you were talking about. They built a T coupe with a body the guy had since he was like 6 years old! Very cool. Good luck finding a project.

 

[volvorat57]

Welcome Dave,

I to am new to the rat rod thing.. and man let me tell you I am IN LOVE with them now.
Its cool to see another Michigan man joining up.
Im in Olivet just south of lansing.

Good luck!