best skills to learn

fatboyman05 · #1 04-26-2008, 01:46 PM

of all the skills to learn to be able to build T buckets, hot rods, motorcycles and such, in what order should theybe learned to get the best bang for the "buck" or time for that matter.

body work - fiberglass or metal

body fabrication

parts fabrication

painting

motor work

I'm sure there are more..........

Track-T · #2 04-26-2008, 02:26 PM

You buying stuff or building stuff?
Like frame and such..

LumenAl · #3 04-26-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatboyman05

of all the skills to learn to be able to build T buckets, hot rods, motorcycles and such, in what order should they be learned to get the best bang for the "buck" or time for that matter.

body work - fiberglass or metal

body fabrication

parts fabrication

painting

motor work

I'm sure there are more..........

All of them if you plan to do everything yourself... that's why this forum is so great... not sure about something? Post a question and responses will come... sometimes you'll decide you have to part some work out... for example, I did most all the work on my T, however I recently designed a new axle and radius rod setup... emailed the drawings to RPM (a sponsor here) and he made it for me.. It's simply a matter of what you're willing to take on and have in terms of skills and tools to accomplish... Hell, TFeverFred even completely wired his car without a kit and as far as he's concerned... electrical is the devil!

tfeverfred · #4 04-26-2008, 03:03 PM

I think out of all the skills I wish I had, welding would top the list, followed by body working and paint. I have a lot of ideas for a frame, but not having the knowledge to put into reality is a bummer sometimes. Also, having knowledge also makes it easier to communicate your ideas to a person with the skill.

Like LumenAl said, this board is so valuable as a network for trading ideas and tips. I may not be able to do a lot of things YET, but I'm confident and trustful of the knowledge base here to at least give it a shot.

And electricity is still THE DEVIL. I just kicked him around a little.

Baby Huey · #5 04-26-2008, 04:08 PM

Personally, I think the BEST skills any person can have are:
1) Spending your money wisely, and only once ! In other words, have a grand plan so you know where your going and how your gonna get there.
2) Keeping your project moving forward so you don't get bored with it and stop or change your mind, and sell it.
3)Buy a "kit" IF you do not have the fabracation skills so the car goes together quickly and you can drive it and have fun with it..

I'm sure there are more, I jus gotta think about this...LOL
"BH"

Youngster · #6 04-26-2008, 05:12 PM

I would have to say welding would be number 1 on my list, but then I love to do chassis work.

As BH said learning to spend your $$$ wisely is right up there too. I still have trouble with what one. Having a plan is so important. Having the major components on hand before you start the build also saves time and $$$. You want to hook up with folks in your area that have an interest in the same type of car you want to build. The benifits of this are two fold. You have someone to help keep your interest going during the build and this is where you'll find the best deals on parts. If you have a skill, labor trades are always a plus too.

Another skill is studing cars in magazines and at shows. If you're reading an artical in a magazine, study the detail shots. There's alot to be learned from them.

Then of course there is the obvious, ask questions here on the site. Someone will always have an answer for you.

Ron

VegasBruce · #7 04-26-2008, 05:55 PM

fatboyman05, they pretty well sum it up. Just remember to be honest with your self with what you can and can't do. Learn all you can, we are all here to help each other out.

all-world1 · #8 04-26-2008, 06:20 PM

I'm just starting a project too, and I can see most of the benefit right now would come from welding. If you can find a night course at the local community college, it'll really get you started.

Agree with Youngster about car shows. I used to be like everyone else, looking at the bodies, engines, interior. Now I've got my head stuck under the cars and fixated on the suspensions.

donsrods · #9 04-26-2008, 06:39 PM

I agree that welding properly would be at the top of the list. I am not a great welder, so for years I tacked stuff and took it to someone who did it for a living. Now my Son Dan has become a very good welder, so I have a free in-house guy to go to.

The reason I put that at the head of the list is because so much depends on using a welder to attach stuff to a car you are building. I can get so far on a car I am doing, then I have to wait until I can corral my Son to finish it up for me. If I were good at it I could keep rolling along. My welds hold, but look like crap, and with my age my eyes are not what they once were, so my welds are worse.

Yep, if I had one skill I wish I had, welding would be it. The rest of the stuff is easy IMO.

Don

norseman · #10 04-26-2008, 06:49 PM

welding is an awesome skill to have, been doing it for years but to impress me you need to be able to cut your parts out nice, be it with a saw of some sorts or my favorite, a torch, you can do really nice things with a steady hand and a proper sized clean tip. Having a good plan would be next but being open minded to new stuff and being able to steer your project forward and stay interested.
Electrical requires some thought.. One skill not really in the list is dealing with the state as far as license and title stuff . Lots O patience required there, the rest is gravy.......