How many of you do your own work?

[leon bee]

There are those things many of us ain't gonna do ourselves: cylinder boring, crank grinding. I wish I had the stuff valve job. Other than that, if I don't do it it ain't gonna get done.

[34fordy]

It's always about the money, honey! If I could have afforded a complete shop years ago, (Machine shop. Upholstery shop, alignment shop, paint shop), I would have learned to do many things. Alas, I didn't. So I have always done what I could with the what I have. Some projects were just too expensive to take home. I have been so happy and satisfied down at my level with just patina stuff. No one has more enjoyment than I have. What an accomplishment to do the things like Kube, David Rehor and other folks have done preserving these wonderful cars. For me it is much more fun than chasing butterflies around the flowers, however, that would be a good hobby if you have no interest in mechanical things. Each to his own! Carpe Diem

[Tony, NY]

I do everything ( fab, paint, upholstery) minus engine machining.

[Mart]

I wonder if there is potential for trade bartering between fordbarn members. Trade engine work for upholstery etc. Depends on complimentary skills and location etc.

[TomC750]

I do everything except for body painting (I'll to chassis), upholstery and heavy machining.
I just finished building a driveshaft from scratch, as the U joints on it are unique and driveshaft shops have no way of fixturing it. This was for my 1930 White. Turned out very true. Previous owner bent shaft with the arm on hoist.

[flatford8]

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Like many others, I do everything but engine machining…..and I work alone….my wife asks why don’t you ask one of your “car guy” friends to help you?…..my answer is …..“because I only have to argue with myself about how to do something”…..and sometimes I even win the argument !! ………….Mark

[cas3]

The problem with working alone is, when you can't find the wrench you just had in your hand a minute ago...there's no one else to blame!

[larry butcher]

I try to do all of my work myself except engine machine work. Got into this hobby the 3rd week of Dec . 1965. Bought my 1st V12 Lincoln , 1942 LC Cab. I have had 5 cars
since then. !942 Continental Cab, 1940 Zephyr, 1938 LZ conv.coupe ( had that 46 Years), 1948 LC Coupe( restoring that now) 1946 Ford 2 Dr. ( my driver). I do my own welding, sheet metal work, brake work, I obtained a lot of leather , and with daughter's HD sewing machine; I'll try to do the seats and door panels. At 83, all I do is play with old cars!

[flatford8]

Originally Posted by cas3

The problem with working alone is, when you can't find the wrench you just had in your hand a minute ago...there's no one else to blame!

That’s true Skip !!……

[Eagle43]

I've restored 4 vehicles, 3 were frame off, plus the body of a 1929 Oldsmobile since I retired 20 years ago and have done all the work myself.

[my4dv8]

We are too miserable to pay folk to do our work . We do everything from building a chassis's, to body work , panel fabrication, arcdroid cutting table, English wheel, all the gear to do any sort of panel fab. My son is a skilled certified welder fabricator. Wiring all done here. We can do painting but sometimes opt out at the primer long block done stage. No upholstery or engine machining .

[TagMan]

I've done everything myself (i.e. no professional involved) with occasional help from a friend working along with me. Only exception was plating and upholstery.

[leon bee]

I don't feel like it's a hobby. More like I'm a slave to my old vehicles. Or any vehicles, I do everything on the newer cars as well. Somebody has to take care of them, keeps me busy.

[Kurt in NJ]

I learned early on that I could screw it up 3 times for what it cost for someone else to screw it up.

[WRA]

I do everything mechanical myself. Anything that requires machining, upholstery etc I have to have a shop do.

[pistonbroke]

In high school I had the best auto shop teacher ever. He showed us how to do something and would follow it up with a good short storey of his experienc applying it in his younger days.The one I remember best was in the war his unit was alway marching miles to get someplace. He and a buddy got permision to try to get three transport vehicles that had been dumped running and for the rest of thier deployment they rode not marched. So now ,I have learned how most things are done right and how to get by. If I had a machine shop I would do it all but thats not cost effective so that gets farmed out. I still do body and fender and a liittle interior. My biggest joy is bringing a car, truck or boat back to life and using it. And I do as often as I can.

[Planojc]

My last build I did all the work including paint and upholstery, but at age 83, most of the work will be sent out.

[37 truck]

I know my limitations; I can assemble most anything, but it is that perfection that some builders achieve that I find hard to match. I can farmer most anything! Pick your battles.

[deuce_roadster]

I do all my metal bodywork, paint, woodgrain, glass, electrical, mechanical, suspension, everything except sewing upholstery.

[Trapdoor2]

One reason I bought an A was that I knew I could do virtually everything required myself. Engine machine work, if necessary, will be farmed out. I'm not an upholstery guru, but I can do it. I no longer own paint guns...but I've done it.

OTOH, my '69 C10 is in the shop getting disc brakes all around. I weighed the job costs vs doing it myself. The shop won.