[Bob Carriere]

....... Grant has been the real driver in this project that got started 2 years ago. He is not only reporting the progress he has been driving it. We ran into major problems with getting work done at local fabrication shop.

Initially thrilled by the fact the local shop finally got a 12 foot and 8 foot mechanical vertical brake..... we found out, the hard way, the dies they had were worn out and the operator in the early learning Phase.....time and steel was wasted...... it is only with the persistence and perseverance of Grant that we are doing any progress........ today my back went out and I am presently floating about 12 inches above my chair on codeine tablets and muscle relaxants .......

Never realized how elaborate this simple 2B1 box really is...... the basis of our project was using the best of 3 rusted old cargo box...... so as hard as we work at making parts absolutely square the cargo box base has been abused and curved, twisted and warped so Grant has been very creative in working out solutions....... thank God to the rotisserie which allows much more flexibility in positioning.

In retrospect it might have far easier starting a total rebuild from scratch.
Prices for steel and tools has become almost paralyzing and really threatens to kill the resto hobby. 3 years ago a rivet set punch for the air hammer was $39.00 now paid $190 for a 5/16 button top rivet set punch from the same supplier. But the tailgate needed rivets to look like the original.

I have more pictures to download but my newfangled "Android" camera refuses to link up to my PC........ but that is another story.....

Keep them rolling they say........

Buzzing
...... Bob C.