The Little Raisin

[HomeGrown]

cant wait to see how the front end turns out. the back half looks awesome.

[atwill]

Thanks TJ
So any chance you might send me the link to your shutterfly on the Sawzall? I was checking out the thread. Who knows, might have another build in the future

[HomeGrown]

Originally Posted by atwill

Thanks TJ
So any chance you might send me the link to your shutterfly on the Sawzall? I was checking out the thread. Who knows, might have another build in the future

hell yea that would be awesome

[atwill]

Finally some front end work. First attempt at the front tube wasn't worth showing. Here's the second try, much better.


Here's the first attempt at the windshield brace. I thought it looked a little off so I checked the reference pics.


Yup totally off. Top tubes are much closer, and not such an angle. So out comes the dremel with the cut off wheel.


Second attempt much better.


How she sits tonight. Starting to look like something.




Got the email btw TJ, thanks.

[Hvy_Chevy]

very nice work

what do you use for cleaning up the welds? dremel?

[atwill]

Small stuff I start with the 12" disc sander, then air die grinder with sanding disc, then a bandfile to finish it. Something this big, 4" grinder instead if the 12", then the rest is the same.

[cody knoll]

hey just a Question what are you using as a bender and what tubing are you using as well

[atwill]

Originally Posted by cody knoll

hey just a Question what are you using as a bender and what tubing are you using as well

Metal is 5/32" solid cf 1018 steel rod. Benders, I have many. Here's a few. The main one I use is a highly modified version of the k&s mighty wire bender.

[yOHda]

you are doing an awesome job with the little raisin. i had issues with ripping the leaf spring mount out of the axle with 2.2s so i went back to links on my old truck. i took design cues from the raisin and cary's got propane truggy. summit 2 speed, brushless outrunner, gmade portals.



keep up the great work!!!

[SWAINBUILT]

That's a cool picture!

[atwill]

So I took the week off for Thanksgiving to keep my wife happy. Then I got sick during that week and ended up taking another week off. Then I had to get caught up on orders that happened during that time. So finally I'm back at it on this little guy.
So first got a bit more done on the front end. Made the grill/headlight bar and tacked it on. Also made the 2 side braces for the hood bar.


I'm not so sure I have the grill/headlight bar in the right spot. Gonna have to do some comparing to the 1:1 pics some more and make sure. That's why i tack everything, so I can easily cut it back off lol.

Then started on the shock hoops.


The fact is I can't get everything exactly like the 1:1. I'm trying in every way to be as close as possible, while still keeping these parts all functioning well together.



Will be working on it again next week.

[atwill]

So after some close looking I did get the headlight bar wrong. So out came the dremel again and hacky hacky.


Next since I had it out I trimmed the front leaf mounts.


Now I've got the leaf angles exactly how I wanted them, and it flexes quite nicely.

Next up put a little more weld on the shock hoops.


Then added a cross bar for added strength. Not on the 1:1, but I want Richard to be able to beat the snot out of this thing without worries.


Then tied it into the chassis.



Then attempt 2 at the headlight bar. much better this time.


Of course more to come soon.

[cody knoll]

Originally Posted by atwill

Metal is 5/32" solid cf 1018 steel rod. Benders, I have many. Here's a few. The main one I use is a highly modified version of the k&s mighty wire bender.

thanks for the info i might be starting my own tuber pretty soon

[JoeyD23]

I am blown away.....so awesome!

[atwill]

Thanks guys

Finally another update. I've been busy with the holidays obviously, but also because I needed a tool. I lent my body hammer set to a buddy a few years back(obviously I use it a lot huh). He somehow misplaced it that period of time, so I had to get a new set. Harbor Freight had an extra 25% off on new years day, so now all is good again.

So first I needed a template. I actually got this idea from watching Rick Petko on American Chopper. Rub aluminum across cardboard to get the outline.


Probably works a little better on larger tube, so I ended up pushing really hard with it to get an imprint.


Cut it out with scissors and transfer to the steel. Then over to my shear.


And a piece of steel, generally close to the shape I want.


My new hammer set.


Didn't take any other pics, but some cutting and sanding, and a lot of beating with hammers...



It's a good start. Still have more to do to it. Then move on to the roof.

[dirtmod0]

talk about some patients!! Nice work!!

[HomeGrown]

nice! anymore updates?

[deanschool]

how much do you estimate this truck to weigh when you put everything on it?

[tribal4krawler]

jesus you have to have a ton of man hours in this thing. looks excellent, and looks like you're getting close to finishing!

[atwill]

Originally Posted by HomeGrown

nice! anymore updates?

Not yet Tj. I've been busy doing anything I can to pay the bills. I've got more sheet metal on the way for this thing, and the side panel graphics hopefully getting figured out by another buddy of mine. Hoping to get back on this thing within the next couple weeks.

Originally Posted by deanschool

how much do you estimate this truck to weigh when you put everything on it?

Ready to run, I'd guesstimate around 9-10 lbs.

Originally Posted by tribal4krawler

jesus you have to have a ton of man hours in this thing. looks excellent, and looks like you're getting close to finishing!

Thanks! I do have a few hours in it lol. I can def see the end of the tunnel, although there's still a few things to have to figure out.

[Grounhog]

nice work

[atwill]

Finally an update.

I've decided I need to start buttoning up all the little things I've passed on or avoided.
First I put in the last 2 bars on the back end, and welded in the plate.

Then put the last 2 bars up front also. Trimmed the sides on the hood, oh yeah and made the roof. Sorry Iphone pics suck.

Here's a couple overalls.


Then I finally borrowed my dad's jeweler's torch. I brazed up the toolbox I had cut up a long time ago. Got her mounted.

Not gonna carry a lot, but at least it keeps the scale look going.


Still waiting to hear back from my buddy working on the side panel decals. But def starting to get close.

[HomeGrown]

nice. looks great

[atwill]

Thanks Tj, just heard back from my buddy doing the side graphics. He said he'll be going on those next week. Which brings me to another favor Tj. Do you guys have any pics directly from the side? I need good pics of the sponsor decals so he can reproduce them. Also is the roof and hood aluminum, and is it just bare? Again thanks for all the help on this project.

[HomeGrown]

the roof and hood are aluminum. the hood is warped in white vinyl. and the roof is bare aluminum with a giant marlin sticker on it. let me see what i can find for a side view.