The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Hack

Do you ever make a mistake. Some place no one will ever see, because it is in a location that is impossible to view and just say they will never find it. Or in location they would have to be a contortionist to find? Or do you fix every mistake you make? Mine is on the bottom a of the floor and I am wondering if it is worth while to repair. You can see my mig welds in one location.

Don't look too close at my truck! LOL

"MUST STAND X FT. AWAY FROM TRUCK TO VIEW PROPERLY"

Something along those lines goes for alot of us lol.

I used to make the mistake of thinking I could do perfect work. That didn't last too long!

In this case you have to go under the truck to see it. But thanks for the inputs.

I'm still trying to get the part you can see in shape. I did grind the welds down even the ones that nobody will ever see. I wanted to make sure that they won't trap any water and that the penetration was good. I am sure someone out there has done a perfect job of getting all of the dings out, I won't be one of those guys.

So far my truck repairs are perfect. Of course I haven't started yet:) My other in-progress project goes something like what has been mentioned. If you (or anyone else) can barely see it and it won't affect the body or frame or driveline integrity, give a quick swear and move on.

Ok , let me expound on this one a bit. My truck was my first exposure to MIG welding. The truck was in very poor shape to begin with so I decided that I would do my best knowing that it would never come close to being a show truck. Now, some of the replacement floor pans etc. were not exactly as the originals. In that case it is pretty hard to cover up the fact that metal has been replaced. For non visible areas I was happy to have good strength in the welds. With things like door posts, I welded both sides to make sure they were strong. I didn't grind the inside weld.

There have been postings of photos on here where people welded metal in and after grinding and sanding they are invisible, with no filler. God bless them! I don't think most work is done to that kind of standard.

Do the best you can do and be happy with your truck if you have done the best job and taken your time than when your truck is finished you should be a proud owner and show it off saying you did it your self

Most important is to have fun doing it.

Pete

In the end you are the judge. Perfection is like a lot of early GMC parts, unobtainable. Like others before me have said "Enjoy the build"

I've got several places that if "they" can see it they're too darn close.

.... for years I was/am a perfectionist but as I get older I have learned to ask myself one question. "Is it acceptable"?
I've learned doing wood work that you just can't put a $100 worth of time in a $25 item. It'll starve you to death.

But, on something like my projects I've found that I can't always do what I want to because of my skills, lack of money, or lack of parts....SO, I say "do the best you can" at the time your doing it.... and for those who want to point fingers I simply say "you should have seen it before I fixed it"..nuff said

I use to pick up the grandbabies toys....now I just step over them...... on the way to the shop to work on my truck

I think it depends on what you are trying to accomplish. If you expect to win trophies at some shows anything less that perfect pretty much assures you'll loose.

I'll never enter any show like that with anything I built...

I'm very picky about safety related issues, almost as much regarding reliability, but appearance isn't my priority.

Heck, you should be proud of your welds. Many of those looking don't know the difference between a mig and a fig. Pull the carpet out of a new truck and you'll see weld marks. However if one only has to crawl under to see the mistake, well...

I feel sorry for guys who work for years to put their project together, making things so perfect, only to get a rock chip in the paint, a door ding from some knucklehead, or a scratch from a rivet on a pair of jeans.

If you are going to show it and are serious about it, you'd better make it perfect, then put it under glass. If you intend to drive it, get on with it. No one knows or cares how beautiful those under-the-truck welds are, except for you. Make your work good enough that you can live with it, then get busy and get it on the road- everyone loves to see a 'bolt cruising down the highway!

Bill

As long as safety isn't compromised,what's the problem?

The ONLY thing that could possibly see it would be roadkill....

The ONLY thing that could possibly see it would be roadkill....


And that's way to close....

What Bill said.......if YOU can live with it, then it's good enough!

Since mine is a 4x4, I pay more attention to what things look like underneath. Of course, there are mistakes but I'm not pointing them out! If yours is lower to the ground, then who cares, just make sure the welds are rust proofed properly.

I started with a frame off restoration, but never was happy with my work. I have scraped that Idea and just trying to get it back together. I better just try for a driving rebuild.

The longer it takes me to get it put back together to more often I say "I don't give a rats a**" and just move on.

But here's the kicker for me. While at the car show of all sorts of perfect restorations. My children adored and enjoyed the rusted out cars the most. I decided to leave some of that old truck character and charm, OK a lot of character.

Once drivable again I plan to go back and smooth out small items individually as able.

Unless you're getting paid, and paid very well, I might add, to make it perfect, do whatever satisfies you. I managed a concours-quality body shop for a while, specializing in high-dollar cars like Jag, Porsche, Mercedes, Rolls-Royce, BMW, etc., and even some of my employees tried to get away with less-than-perfect work if it was out of sight. My customers demanded, and paid for perfection, so we worked to very high quality standards.

One thing I learned pretty quickly was the difference in a BMW and a porcupine- - - - -porcupines have the pricks on the outside!
Jerry

Good one Jerry!!!

Between my floorboards, kicker panels, and outer cowls, I have about a mile of weld beads to grind down. I don't think I'll make it to the bottom side of my cab.