How to Choose the Right Sanding Block The sanding block gets its name because once upon a time it was just a block of wood with sandpaper stuck to it. The hard, flat block allowed you to sand to a much more uniform surface. Later, the heavy rubber style “alligator” […]
Tag: Restoration
Save that Panel! Empire Fabrication Brings a Smashed Porsche 356 Fender Back from the Dead
Part of being a good metal worker is the ability to read a panel and what needs to be done to correct an issue or make the metal do what you want. Once you are “in-tune” with the metal you can correct some pretty crazy damage in a panel. This really comes in handy when you’re faced with body damage. In most cases a smashed up bolt-on panel like a front fender would just warrant a call to a sheet metal supplier, a trip to the junkyard, or an eBay search, that is if you have a “common” vehicle.
Custom Built Tailgate for Pile House
Possibly the biggest undertaking yet on this truck was making the new custom bed for Project Pilehouse. To quote Ron Covell in a metal shaping class at Eastwood headquarters; “I think those bedsides were the single largest pieces I’ve ever seen bead rolled in my life!”. The bed was definitely […]
How to get Perfect Body Panels with Block Sanding
Ever wonder what it is that separates the mirror smooth bodies of show cars from the body filler fender bender repair you did in your driveway? Often times it all comes down to the important step between the first coat of primer and the first coat of paint, called blocking. Without proper blocking, no matter how good the painter is you are never going to get a perfect show car finish on your project.
Eastwood Alsip Restores A Delivery Van
We’re creeping up on about a year since our second retail store has been open in Alsip, IL outside of Chicago. This store has been growing steadily and we’re very thankful for the acceptance into the classic car community! Store Manager Trevor and his crew at the store decided they wanted to take on building up a vintage delivery van for a multi-purpose vehicle they could take to local cruise-ins, car shows, and to potentially deliver product locally. Sure we could have bought a brand new, crisp white Ford Transit and called it a day; but what’s the fun in that!
Barrett Jackson 2015- Most Expensive Cars Sold at Auction
Barrett Jackson has for many years now been the place to sell your high profile vehicle. Each year cars, trucks, and motorcycles come out of the woodwork that blow our minds on their rarity AND the price they bring! We decided to list the top ten highest priced vehicles sold at this years Scottsdale auction. Sit back, relax, and let us know which you would have liked to have the most!
Solid Rivet FAQ
Solid rivets, sometimes called aircraft rivets, are a solid piece of metal with a large head on one side and a straight shaft. They are installed by sliding them in a hole slightly bigger than the shaft, then deforming the protruding shaft to 1 ½ times its size, so it is tight and cannot pull out. They differ from pop rivets in that they are solid, therefor stronger, and use a buck bar and pneumatic gun to install them instead.
Welding Helmet FAQ
An auto-darkening helmet allows you to see to position the electrode, or wire feed gun on your work without needing a hand to flip the helmet down before striking an arc. Many welders have perfected the art of flipping a fixed tint helmet down with just a quick nod of the head, but that still doesn’t work for all situations and welding positions. On top of that, since the tint is created electronically, it can be adjusted to better suit all lighting conditions and types of welding.
Rust Converter FAQ
What happens if you sand to bare steel and just use as insurance? – Rust Converter needs the rust to properly work and cure (think of it as the catalyst for the product). Rust Converter is intended for heavier rust. If applied over bare metal, it will not cure properly and can actually cause light flash rust.