Shop Time

I realized tonight while working at the shop what I enjoy so much about it. I work all day for an internet based company where everything I do is completely digital and intangible. Turn off the computer and I have nothing to show for my hours of work. There is no start and no end. At the end of the day it's rewarding to build something real using just your hands and a few tools. There's a beginning and an end and when you're finished you actually have something to show for it. Yin and Yang I suppose, balance is good.

I worked on finishing up the last of the door panels for the '56 and this time I took some pictures. This is my first time ever making a set of door panels from scratch. I only had to start over a few times but I finally got it sorted out. For the rear panels I had to make a pattern using butcher paper to give me a starting point to transfer it to the hardboard. For the front panels I did have the original door panel which was from the original 4 door car so the panels were about 7" too short but gave me a good starting point. Once they are mounted I can mark the top and door edges and give a final cut to finish them off.








Then I spent the next couple hours sanding my car. Still trying to get it all cleaned up so I can start repairing all the small dents & dings before we start the long journey to prep and paint.