WC-51 Restoration or Bust!!

[Superdave]

 

[zout]

WOW - even the home of PB's future HOLY COW ice cream Co says WOW

 

[Tinwoodsman]

Started on the floor boards for the WC today. Installed the front metal bed panel and made sure the bed was square. To my surprise it was!! Began by dimensioning the rough cut red oak to prepare for thickness planing. Once this was done I mortised the bed strip recesses for the metal bed strips. Trimmed boards as necessary and installed for a test fit. Tomorrow I will install the rest of the fasteners and install the strips for the side and floor joints. I will cut the 3" mortises for the large washers for the 1/2' frame mounting bolts. Then it is on to the body filler work. Her are some pics.

 

[Another Ahab]

That's just purty. REAL purty.

 

[Tin Medic]

Can I just offer to buy it now?

 

[papabear]

Started on the floor boards for the WC today. Installed the front metal bed panel and made sure the bed was square. To my surprise it was!! Began by dimensioning the rough cut red oak to prepare for thickness planing. Once this was done I mortised the bed strip recesses for the metal bed strips. Trimmed boards as necessary and installed for a test fit. Tomorrow I will install the rest of the fasteners and install the strips for the side and floor joints. I will cut the 3" mortises for the large washers for the 1/2' frame mounting bolts. Then it is on to the body filler work. Her are some pics.

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I know it's "supposed" to be painted OD but it's just a crying shame to hide that beautiful wood under paint!! I'm pretty sure I would have to cheat a little and just stain/seal the wood parts.

 

[Tinwoodsman]

I know what you mean PB. It is very tempting.

 

[papabear]

I know what you mean PB. It is very tempting.

Just do like they did with the "M" series vehicles when they tried something new and put an "X" before the nomenclature. = XWC-51

 

[swiss]

That wood bed is incredibly beautiful!!! Most awesome job TWM

 

[zout]

Around Zouts house if he had them wood saw thingy tools the wood would be stained by blood - I doubt if I would have any fingers or limbs left.

Most outstanding TWM - make it a candy cutter look alike WC just like everyone else has OR do it the way your thinking and set a new standard of perfection others will then copy.

 

[Tinwoodsman]

Finished all the wood and fasteners on the cargo bed today. Start on the filler work tomorrow. Here are some pics.....

 

[papabear]

Absolutely beautiful!! I know you had a hard time getting it like you wanted it but the results show your superior efforts!

 

[Tin Medic]

That work is incredible. I am so jealous.

 

[Another Ahab]

You thinking about finishing that red oak (beautiful boards BTW) with tung oil or anything?

Or just leave it to weather raw? Had time to give it any thought?

 

[Tinwoodsman]

You thinking about finishing that red oak (beautiful boards BTW) with tung oil or anything?

Or just leave it to weather raw? Had time to give it any thought?

I have been into woodworking long before I got into MV's so I know the spendor of beautifully finished wood. The fact is this project is a restoration and my original goal was to bring the WC51 back to the state that it was delivered to the U.S. Army in Feb. 1945. That means the wood will be sealed and painted OD to match the rest of the vehicle. Yes there are other options but this is what I want to do. Just a personal preference really. Doesn't mean it will be a trailer queen, just original.

 

[papabear]

I have been into woodworking long before I got into MV's so I know the spendor of beautifully finished wood. The fact is this project is a restoration and my original goal was to bring the WC51 back to the state that it was delivered to the U.S. Army in Feb. 1945. That means the wood will be sealed and painted OD to match the rest of the vehicle. Yes there are other options but this is what I want to do. Just a personal preference really. Doesn't mean it will be a trailer queen, just original.

I certainly understand and somewhat agree with your thinking TWM...BUT...think of all the trees that gave their lives to make that beautiful wood!! They could live on as part of your beautiful truck if you just stained and sealed the wood!!

 

[zout]

A painting contractor was speaking with a woman about her job. In the first room she said she would like a pale blue.
The contractor wrote this down and went to the window, opened it, and yelled out "GREEN SIDE UP!".
In the second room she told the painter she would like it painted in a soft yellow. He wrote this on his pad, walked to the window, opened it, and yelled "GREEN SIDE UP!".

The lady was somewhat curious but she said nothing. In the third room she said she would like it painted a warm rose color. The painter wrote this down, walked to the window, opened it and yelled "GREEN SIDE UP!".
The lady then asked him, "Why do you keep yelling 'green side up'?".
"I'm sorry," came the reply. "But I have a crew of blondes laying sod across the street.

 

[Tinwoodsman]

I certainly understand and somewhat agree with your thinking TWM...BUT...think of all the trees that gave their lives to make that beautiful wood!! They could live on as part of your beautiful truck if you just stained and sealed the wood!!

I understand why you guys want the wood natural finish. As a compromise I will agree to do the next WC in natural oak.

 

[Another Ahab]

I understand why you guys want the wood natural finish. As a compromise I will agree to do the next WC in natural oak.

That "wood" be cool!

 

[Tin Medic]

So as not to waste that good offer I will provide a WC for you to restore.