Unfinished Builds!

[dmw56]

I was going through the build threads and there are some cool things going on. However, a lot of the builder quite posting. Come on guys update us on your progress. It seems as if no one ever finishes there build. I'm kind of guilty of that too having 2 projects at the same time and trying to keep 5 others running. But I will finish them. Honest!

Let's hear what's up with your projects Guys.

 

[Blademan]

been mighty hot here, skeeters were bad until they sprayed last week, time to get back on it hot or not, Tracy

 

[roddguy]

Awwwe come on man, quit hound doggin me.

I promise, I'm still workin on mine too; however I've been having issues trying to upload my pix.

 

[dmw56]

Awwwe come on man, quit hound doggin me.

I promise, I'm still workin on mine too; however I've been having issues trying to upload my pix.

I'll excuse you since I've seen your posts on KB.

 

[Old Gold]

We're supposed to finish them??

 

[roddguy]

Well "FINISHED" is really a realative term. I think it really means plated and driving.

 

[Willowbilly3]

I think it's just the way things go. Many people don't realize how much talent and labor it takes for even a "simple" rat build. They get the cab home, buy some wheels to prop up and take pictures of themselves sitting in the cab grinning. Then the welding starts and that weeds out a lot, or a move, kid needs braces, whatever.
I am the worlds worst, mostly from moving too much but I have left a string of projects behind me over the years that would just make you cry. I had to make myself stay focused on my present build. I thought it would take a year and 4-5 years later it would be a stretch to say it's half done. But there were 3-4 moves (one was 1500 miles), a couple years total in storage, no shop. It has taken a tremendous amount of dedication to keep at it but now it is in the garage connected to the house and gets worked on quite regularly. I just wired a "new" buzz box welder into my dryer service last night and welded until I let the smoke out of a cartidge fuse.

 

[Bonehead]

No excusses here. I'd like to build some more but I need to make a machine that puts more time in the day first.

 

[maddog]

Guilty as charged.
I got sidetracked. Sometimes when I see a shinny thing off in the distance I go for it. Very recently I have seen the light though. I sold the 37 Ford truck, both v8-60 motors, another 2 8ba's and another older one. I have sold almost all the transmissions, and have some little stuff is up for sale now. I still am digging out some stuff so stay tuned. The shop will actually have the room to get back on the Fiat.

And I'm not just saying that. I realized that all this other cool stuff was just a huge distraction from the Fiat and if I ever wanted to finish it all the other stuff had to go and I had to focus. Once I realized that, it was easy to part with the stuff. Not so easy to sell it though, but I have sold most of it.

The focus will be on the fiat now. I am at the point of buying steel and making the frame. I have collected all the parts now and its time to build. I am still very excited about that project.

Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Tripper]

Unfinished!?

My projects are *always* finished according to plan in 3 months or less! Hummmm... why is my nose growing like that?!?!?!

 

[Dqracer]

Gotta focus..gotta focus..thats what the lil guy in my head keeps tellin me..
between my day job,(theres a bunch of wasted time..) an' my racin business, then goin' racin on sat. nite,,,I still manage to hammer on my projects,,,lucky for me,, I gotta good woman who lets me be me,, 'an don't mind if I'm in the shop till late every nite.

 

[RoddingRon]

No excusses here. I'd like to build some more but I need to make a machine that puts more time in the day first.

IF Bonehead figures out how to make one of these, my order is right there at the top of the list for one too. I've been doing a lot of 12 hour days at work (add to that an hour drive each way), and when they haven't been 12 hours I've been working no less then 6 days a week...and the last month it's been a combination of both. I guess I shouldn't complain that there are so many people out there that need bone screws, spinal plates and cardio care products (as long as it's not me again)...but dang...the time left for the Studebaker and shortly the Model A is so limited.

Last year at this time, I was struggling to make enough money to pay the bills and have a few bucks left over for the Studebaker...Since I started back at the machine shop, I've got the extra money, but now I don't have the time.....I think we've all suffered from the same thing...Either you have the time and no money...or you have the money and no time!

I'll say it here again....

"I will drive the Studebaker to the Charlotte Goodguys Show in October!!!" Come H#ll or Highwater I'll be driving it to that show...Don't worry DMW..it won't be done by any stretch, but dang it I'll be driving it and that 's the most important to me anyway

 

[donsrods]

Life gets in the way of building our projects sometimes (actually a LOT of times). If you are in a relationship, you have to devote a certain amount of time to keeping her happy, or the bed gets mighty cold. Money is also a big factor, this stuff consumes a whole bunch more than we like to admit. Sometimes we just have to lick our financial wounds and save up for the next step.

Another factor is that sometimes working on it just isn't fun any more. We have all hit those plateaus where you just can't muster the energy to drill one more hole or weld one more bracket on. There were times during the 6 years it took me to build my '27 when I didn't go into the garage for 3-6 months at a time. I would go fishing or something else because working on the car was becoming like a job, and it is supposed to be fun, not work.

The final reason, as mentioned earlier is the heat and mosquitos. Here in Florida the recent rains have stirred up a whole bunch of no-seeums, and coupled with 90 degree temps inside the shop, it is not real pleasant to be in there welding and making even more heat. We usually go to the shop at about 7 at night and work until early in the AM, just to have some relief from the heat.

Yep, this car building stuff is SO MUCH FUN SOMETIMES!!!!!

Don

 

[doghousedevil]

a good woman always helps.

 

[roddguy]

Boy when it comes to needing to stay focused I think I deserve a prize or something. Here is the short list of what has gone on since I started my project.

Wife decided she could do better with someone from the internet.
First move.
Left to raise my daughter on my own.
Change job.
Blow out my back, need surgury. Off work.
Find girl friend.
Second move.
Get ride of girl friend.
Third move.
Change job again.
Build 66 Chevelle with my dad.
Car burns in a shop fire.
Lose dad to a heart attack.
Fourth move.
Now having issues over the estate. .............

Next. lol

 

[Gastrick]

You're stressing me out roddguy. How much can a fella take?

Me, I just do what I can, when I can. I not only have my own projects, but I do a lot of work on my dad's and brother's projects too. Hurry up with that time machine Bonehead.

 

[22dodge]

Life, and DMV stupidity............

With my project, moving to a different state (state of confusion)
and working over seas has slowed me down.

At the moment I am at odds with the Nevada DMV over my roadster.
Clear title, registration, current tags, insured, clear vin number (in California)
and titled as a 1929 Ford because it uses that frame and running gear.

But it doesn't fit into any of their "known car" catagories here and it doesn't look like a 1929 Ford.
So they want me to retitle it as "special construction" vehicle....
I think hell will freeze over before I change the car to suit their needs.

It will likely become garage art till I can get around their bureaucratic stupidity.... '22

 

[tiny1]

I've been working hard to get mine finished or at least to the point of taking it apart to paint it i wanted to make it to crusin the coast this year but right it doesn't look like i will make it. The wife an I have been going just about non stop since last year when i built my Buddy's truck. Mine is going a lot slower my pockets aren't very deep. I'm on a pay as you go project lol

One good thing has came out of me building the truck i cleaned up the back of my shop with old race car parts and junk cars. We've been hauling off all the junk i had collected over the years to fund my truck. I need a few more junkers to finish it lol

 

[bob w]

It takes me about one calendar year to build a car. Between 1,000 and 2,000 hours depending on complexity and care with the details. This does not include finish bodywork. I've determined that the cost of having bodywork, paint and interior done is so high that I can build another rod (or 2) with the money saved by not having those things done. I've wanted to get a license plate that says, "It's Done" so people at shows will quit asking me when I'm going to finish my car(s).

 

[dmw56]

Yeah, I know they are never finished! But the goal is to get em at least driveable. I also realize the last 10% takes 90% of the time and life aways seems to get in the way. It's all the little things at the end that slow you down and gets you frustrated.