beth Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 my friend wants some lettering done for a truck restoration he is doing - there are two panels of lettering, one on either side of the grille, and i guess the letters are only about an inch high - about half of each side is rotted away but there is enough left to see what the words should look like. i think it was pressed before obviously mass produced, but whats the best way for me to make some new panels for him? i have a fly press, but it would be very fiddly to make the tiny letters! what would you do?? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I think I would make an aluminum casting from the original piece. Then I would either use it as the replacement or use it as the form to press out a new piece in Aluminum sheet. Without seeing what you are talking about, its hard to give good advice.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 I think I would make an aluminum casting from the original piece. Then I would either use it as the replacement or use it as the form to press out a new piece in Aluminum sheet. Without seeing what you are talking about, its hard to give good advice.... Carve it in wax first to do an investment casting? I know that can give excellent surface finish. If it is pressed in the sheet steel then repose (I probably spelled that wrong) may be one way to go about it. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Hale Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 You could also make the letters out of a correct thickness of steel sheet, and solder or braze them to a back piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dablacksmith Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 ide have um plasma cut from 1/8 sheet then finish as needed... it really depends on what the customer wants... was he looking for hand forged? maybee forge um from 1/4 sq? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 If you google rubber pad forming it should help, especially if you use aluminium sheet. Then you should be able to get away with a wooden pattern, aspecially if it is only one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted June 14, 2011 Share Posted June 14, 2011 my friend wants some lettering done for a truck restoration he is doing - there are two panels of lettering, one on either side of the grille, and i guess the letters are only about an inch high - about half of each side is rotted away but there is enough left to see what the words should look like. i think it was pressed before obviously mass produced, but whats the best way for me to make some new panels for him? i have a fly press, but it would be very fiddly to make the tiny letters! what would you do?? Hi Beth, What vehicle? and what does the lettering read? Replacements may be available elsewhere, If it was pressed, you should be able to tell by the remains, if it is rotted away I would think it was a pressing, as catings were usually made from brass or similar materials, the other thing to look at is how it fits to the vehicle, as the mounting points give clues to the original make up of the lettering. Cast or pressed, repousse could be the way to go, (You could use the flypress for this) or you could fabricate and weld them and get the same effect, lets see a pic, (or better still the actual part if you are nearby anytime, there is an Acanthus Leafwork course June 25th and 26th at Westpoint, letters/leafs not much difference, similar techniques could be utilised) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted June 14, 2011 Author Share Posted June 14, 2011 thanks john - thanks guys - i had thought of casting and then using the fly press - the original version john is pressed into sheet, its an old 1930s truck and it says ford something (cant remember - only saw it today for a minute!) but it is the only one in existance that says that, apparently the other models were all chevrolet something(whatever the other name was) - i will get a picture. its kind of rounded letters no sharp edges on the impressions - i like the idea of a wooden pattern too ... might be able to make a tool for the press the right width in a couple of lengths and literally press each individually? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thingmaker3 Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Sounds like a good candidate for repousse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkrankow Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 "Suburban"? Used to mean it was an enclosed truck or station wagon with seats for people, instead of an enclosed box truck for moving stuff. Then Chevy took over the name exclusively. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Suburban Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 phil - no its 1930's big lorry - the name is ford canada, most usually chevrolet canada - for some reason this one is ford but otherwise same truck.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ironsmith Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 here is a link to a picture of a ford canada , is it what your talking about ?FORD CANADA very curious looking truck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 yep thats it - i love curious looking trucks!!. my friend is restoring his in fine detail, we were just talking about these name plates. i reckon we can sort it with the fly press Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 Here is a Wiki article on Bedford trucks, seems it was a subdivision of GMC, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedford_Vehicles also if you are restoring a vehicle you may want to check out the crew over at http://www.metalmeet.com they just love to talk vehicle restoration (they have an active chapter in England too) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beth Posted June 15, 2011 Author Share Posted June 15, 2011 thanks bentiron:) that metalmeet looks interesting - ive owned a couple of bedford trucks - still have one horse truck as a live in camper - bedfords are cool:) thanks for the link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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