Author Archives: RussD

Workbench

Posted on December 21, 2021 by RussD

Its not a workshop without a workbench! Currently the workbench is a plywood top laying on a couple of 44″ tool cabinets which has been waiting for the materials to build a proper workbench. With materials in hand, courtesy of … Continue reading →

Posted in Workshop | Leave a comment

Welding Cart

Posted on December 6, 2021 by RussD

Larger fabrication projects, like the drill press stand chronicled in the previous article How Much Does A “Free” Drill Press Cost?, have been leaving me increasingly dissatisfied with my welding setup. The actual welder, a Lincoln HD140, is fine. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips and Tricks, Workshop | Leave a comment

How Much Does A “Free” Drill Press Cost?

Posted on November 27, 2021 by RussD

Searching Craigs List for a welding table a couple of years ago I stumbled across a triple drill press mounted on a heavy machine tool base. This machine tool base was 30″ x 60″, made of heavy steel (4″ thick … Continue reading →

Posted in Workshop | Leave a comment

Steel This!

Posted on November 4, 2021 by RussD

Several workshop projects have been on hold due to the high price of steel. In late 2019 a 24′ piece of 1″ x 2″ 11 gauge steel tubing was $65. In early 2020 prices started climbing – today that same … Continue reading →

Posted in Workshop | Leave a comment

ProShaper

Posted on October 5, 2021 by RussD

After fixing the latest electrical gremlin in Electrical 12: Dash It All! it was time for something completely different. I attended a four day intensive course on coachbuilding taught by Wray Schelin of ProShaper. What is coachbuilding, you ask? Good … Continue reading →

Posted in Tips and Tricks | Leave a comment

Electrical 12: Dash It All!

Posted on September 28, 2021 by RussD

Previous: Electrical 11: Connections Evolved looked at tools, techniques and wiring for electrical. A few weeks ago I went to dinner in the Imperial. It was dark by the time we left, making this the first time to drive the … Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration | Leave a comment

Electrical 11: Connections Evolved

Posted on September 20, 2021 by RussD

After (finally!) getting the alternator and voltage regulator straightened out in Electrical 10: 2 Bad let’s look at some of the tools and techniques used. My approach to making electrical connections has evolved significantly. This will be familiar to many … Continue reading →

Posted in Resources, Restoration, Tips and Tricks | Leave a comment

First Imperial Ice Cream Run!

Posted on September 5, 2021 by RussD

With First Cruise Night! under my belt it was time for the next adventure. One of the classic excuses for driving a classic car is to go get ice cream. Saturday (yesterday) was a beautiful day so she who must … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc | Leave a comment

First Cruise Night!

Posted on August 26, 2021 by RussD

Despite some of the issues covered in the previous article Electrical 10: 2 Bad the Imperial was drivable – so time to drive it! One of the reasons for getting the Imperial was to participate in car related events like … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc | Leave a comment

Electrical 10: 2 Bad

Posted on August 9, 2021 by RussD

In the last article Electrical 9: Up Gauging we largely finished upgrading the Imperial wiring. But the story wasn’t done. Bypassing the ammeter leaves no way to know the state of the charging system, so I planned to add a … Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration | Leave a comment