69 GTO Build

['71cutlasluvr]

Gus,

Congrats on the new carriage. And, excellent job on the frame cutting. After seeing that, I almost went out and bought a plasma cutter, just to have one. Ha, ha... Your truck question is funny... most of us Californian's don't have room for a truck and trailer. Well, I certainly don't. So, the Goat will be driven everywhere it needs to go.

Hey Mike. Welcome back. Kinda figured raisin' the youngun was cutting into your project time. Yes, EVERYONE wants to see the new baby... and if you're withing a reasonable driving distance from friends and relatives?...... yup, never ending...

Yeah, the trailer is going to be a great piece to have. Stopped by the dealer Thursday and completed the paperwork and dropped off the trailer plates from the little trailer the Miata owner threw in. (Giving that trailer to a club member who has a need... FREE!) I was thinking of doing Monstaliner but the company rep said it would take 4 gallons plus tint to completely cover it. That's about $700! Guess it's great stuff but I'm thinking just using a wood sealer for now. Moving stone and gravel today preparing for the "carriage" arrival next saturday. Will show some pics when the Miata is in it.

The plasma cutter is a Hypertherm 45. Pricey but not one bad report on this one no matter where I looked. Since this is my first "frame job", I didn't want substandard equipment to blame if I messed up, so went with the 45 as it is a dedicated 240vac model, which my mig and tig's run on. The 30 model probably would have been ok, but most recommended the 45 if you have the 240vac. Overkill is good to have when you need it. The eastwood stuff seemed ok, but just like most cut rate plasma cutters that aren't made here, there is a gamble with longevity, so I pulled the trigger and glad I did. Cut's like butter. The guide wheel you see in one of the pics can also be used to cut circles. Very nice combo when the cuts have to be clean. Here's a link if you're curious about the cutter. Gotta say this.... using a cut off wheel for the whole job would have been torture! While the investment may not be worth it for this one job, I'm sure it will get much more use over the years, so the cost is justified.

http://www.hypertherm.com/en-us/Prod...powermax45.jsp

Love the headliner. Good job! When I took mine apart last year, I thought to myself "Crap, now I gotta put it back someday.. " Yours looks perfect.

Understood on the truck. Yeah, I see many posters lamenting they don't have the room for just a trailer, let alone the full tow rig. Californian's like yourself have the blessing of good weather and no snow, so guess there are compromises no matter where we live. No rush on the truck, just part of the research so thought I'd get yours and Erics opinion. Will be a couple of years before I get serious about the purchase. Thanks for the input though. btw: Found out my son in laws truck has the biggest v8 for 2002 ford f150, a 5.4 liter with 260 hp, 350 lb ft tq, so will handle the miata and trailer easily, and probably even the cutlass but should have my own before the 442 is done.



Enjoy the weekend guys. Weather is wonderful here (I think Eric will concur), warm days, cool night, no humidity. Gonna get some serious yard work done AND will continue the frame work. Keep the updates comin'. I really rely on you guys to keep me motivated.