Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

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I make what I can't find or afford.
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Every now and then a small but esential piece falls into my hands.

My most desirable item is the full sight mount assembly. I know of one in UK for sale, and if still available next tax return time, I'll buy it. It's an expensive item, and very heavy to ship, so I wouldn't get much change from $1000 to $1200. If not able to get it, I will make something of a very poor second, and fashion a canvas cover to hide my sins.

[Private_collector]

No rain today........, just windy. Too windy to paint.
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So off to Tiaro I went again, to take more photos and measurements of my local 25pr. A round trip of 50-60km is local in this country. As can be seen, this dear old gun has not escaped the notice of vandals. I was tempted to straighten the lugs that sight case straps should attach to, but feared the paint would flake off and start rust forming. Last time I visited this piece, I removed a premixed can of booze from inside muzzle. It was either half full of alcohol still, or had been 'refilled' with piddle. I didn't take a sniff.
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I'm always amazed that nobody has asked me what the hell I am doing when I loiter and start throwing a tape measure around the gun.
Next weekend I will cut the barrel/recoup. apeture. I will, that is, unless I'm lucky enough to paint some wheels instead.

Cliff, please read below!
On Friday I called on an old timer about 20 minutes away, to remove some sutures. I had visited him many months ago, and we got to talking about vintage vehicles. He showed me his 1940s Morris truck and I showed some photos of my green CMP (didn't have the grey one then). When I saw him last week, he indicated he recently mentioned me to another local guy who once had a sawmill, now defunct. He asked about a CMP which had been used at the sawmill, and was told it was still around and residing behind the owners house. My 'snout' asked what the guy was intending to do with the truck, seeing that it has sat insitu for a number of years. Long story short, the owner reckons it's better for someone else to have it than sit there rotting away, so it has been offered to me......for nothing! It's only about 15km away, but is a non-runner, so will have to be trailered. If it is the one I saw briefly a couple of years ago, it's an early cab type, so that's a first for me. Mrs B is NOT pleased about the thought of another carcass languishing in the back yard. To be quite honest, I would rather it sat in the FRONT yard, as a piece of art, but that proposition brought only a rather animated response in the negative. No taste, some people.

Attn. Cliff: Yes, I do believe the ahove truck is the very same one we were talking about a couple of months ago. And maybe you can drive up and have a look in my workshop soon????

[cliff]

soon Tony soon! Maybe when we go for a 15km drive and pick up MY truck!

[Private_collector]

Hello Folks!
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Bought a Graphtec vinyl sign cutter today. No more paying people to do my stencils and vehicle signage. It's not new, in fact it is nearly two decades old, but is a good quality machine. Would have been for professional use in the days of WIN98! Came with the computer system it runs on, and all the software disks (3.5"), as well as the manuals and extra font libraries.
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Also came with a number of part rolls of vinyl film.
In the early 90s I ran a small sign and graphics printing business as a side line to my 'day job'. Perhaps you read my how to book, entitled The Underachievers Guide to Extremely Small Business!

Ah, it was simpler times then!

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Tony

Just because it's old doesn't mean it doesn't work good, just look at us.


Good find, should be fun to experiment with and a useful tool. WIN 98 my shop computer has WIN 2000 still works fine, just don't connect it to the Web or load any updates. Old computers are amazingly stable as long as they are left alone.

Look forward to seeing how it works cutting painting stencils.

Cheers Phil

[David Dunlop]

Hmmm. I wonder if my wife's new Cricut stencil cutter would work for this stuff? She bought it for crafting. Guess I need to get crafty and try it out next time she's off shopping.

[Private_collector]

Hi David,

I had not heard about Cricut stencil cutters until you wrote about it. Having now looked into these on internet, I don't see why it couldn't be used to make vehicle stencils. From what I have read, they take a fairly small sheet of stencil material, but that material is specifically for stencil use so should be absolutely ideal! I suppose two sheets could be joined end to end to make longer stencils. I would give it a try. Could be quite a revelation for other folks, who want to do the same thing. If you do get to play with it, please let me know what you think.

Phil, I'm really excited about getting my sign cutter. It virtually fell into my lap, courtesy of my friend (and fellow MLU member) Andy Cusworth. It belonged to the Father of a friend of his. The Father used it commercially, both in UK and in Aus after he emigrated. Unfortunately he passed away several months ago, and the cutter was part of the estate. The entire setup cost me $200AUD. I think the rolls of vinyl that came with the cutter are probably worth almost the full purchase price. If you look at it that way, I bought the vinyl rolls and got the cutter and computer thrown in for free!

Over a year ago, I bought a stencil set from a UK company. It was reusable, and if memory serves me right, the materal was called Oilboard. It doesn't seem to have adhesive, or if it does it is VERY low tack. Might just be surface tension that keeps it snuggly attached to the surface. I used it to spray 'over filling' warnings onto the fuel tanks and it worked really well. The Cricut machine David spoke of would be better suited to making those than my cutter, that's why I am keen to hear how any test goes. With my machine, you would weed away the actual letters/numbers, leaving the surrounding vinyl to be applied to the surface. You spray onto the surface, then remove the 'negative' sign background once finished, leaving painted writing instead of vinyl stickers. To use this method you MUST ensure the paint adheres well to the panel or removing the stencil vinyl will also take off your paint. Good prep work prior to the paint job takes care of that, so should not present as an issue. There are low tack materials you can use, and I recommend use of this. Unfortunately they are single use only.

I'm always amazed how much businesses are charging for computer-cut signage. It is really easy to produce, and takes virtually no time at all, especially if you request an existing font. The catch is, of course, that the cutting machines are not something most people have lying around, so they know they can charge big $£€ for what really is a very quick, simple, and cheap product.