Rewooding '24 = Frustration
 

Maybe someone has more experience here than I do.


I am trying to rewood a 1924 front half of a touring body. Has anyone done any rewooding not using a kit?


I have a set of brand new sills that were given to me, and my body had most of the upright pieces left on it. I figured it would be fairly easy to do this and remake the pieces---it has proven to be most difficult.


I am to the point, I am wondering if it would be easier to try and hang all the sheet metal and work from the inside of the body to get the "correct" angles of my upright pieces. I don't know where exactly they should be, and its causing some irritation, and me cutting up some very expensive ash wood.


There are some metal reinforcement brackets that are use to tie certain areas together, but it seems like if you tighten them down, in the cowl area, things start getting really far off.



Any advice anyone could give would be most helpful.

Re: Rewooding '24 = Frustration
 

Yep. Years ago a friend and I rewooded my 19 touring by hand using old pieces as a guide. We had basic wood tools and had a great time doing it. For example, for the corner piece of the back of the seat ( right behind the drivers left shoulder ) has two radius. One curving from side to back and another rolling up. We started with a 4x4 block of ash and worked it into a perfect duplicate. Yeah it takes time but we had a great time and learned a lot. If you want it done quickly get a kit, but making these pieces yourself, you learn about wood working and have the satisfaction of doing it yourself.

Re: Rewooding '24 = Frustration
 

With poor patterns or no patterns at all, it makes the job a trial and fit game. The sheet metal is part of the fit so it has to be involved to get good fit and finish of everything.

Where you have no patterns or not so good ones. A person can use soft foam like the formaldehyde based stuff to rough out pieces to get a fit. This will at least give a person a pattern to work with. It may not be a perfect one but who cares as long as it gives a good fit to the metal parts and your doors will close and pretty much stay that way. Someone is bound to have done a 1924 Touring out there. The clubs are also good places to check. Ford Wood prices pieces separately but I can't vouch for fit since I haven't used their pieces.
https://fordwood.com/images/tour23new.jpg

Re: Rewooding '24 = Frustration
 

Even with a kit, there still is a LOT of fitting involved. Ones size does not fit all.

Re: Rewooding '24 = Frustration
 

We have a complete Wood Shop in-house along with a full-time craftsman doing just wood, so I can likely offer a few tips. To begin with, is the body Sheetmetal in bare metal or is it still painted?


Can you post a few pictures of those brackets and show us what the issue is?

Re: Rewooding '24 = Frustration
 

buying anything from Fordwood is next to impossible. They are extremely difficult to get ahold of.

Re: Rewooding '24 = Frustration
 

Sorry to hear that. I am ready to buy a bunch of wood from them for my 24 coupe.

Re: Rewooding '24 = Frustration
 

I spoke with them last month. They said the may be making some more wood in a couple months. Probably when the weather changes and they can't enjoy he outdoors.

Re: Rewooding '24 = Frustration
 

Do they have any in stock or do they make to order? I have been holding off ordering mine until I get the title straightened out. I am ready and raring to go now...

Re: Rewooding '24 = Frustration
 

The late Jerry Sweet of Ely, Iowa who built many,many bodies once told me to fit the wood to the metal as there where several body makers for Ford and also there were replacement parts makers even back then, sure made it easier.

Re: Rewooding '24 = Frustration
 

i do wood work, but have yet to tackle a early car like your touring.. needless to say, Id be interested in talking to you about the job.. send me a pm..

jeff

Re: Rewooding '24 = Frustration
 

Correct me please, if I'm wrong. I read long ago that Ash and was used for wheels. Interior structure was Maple. I would look for the reference, but it's been too long ago.

Re: Rewooding '24 = Frustration
 

Hickory for wheel spokes, Ash or maple for body wood