Page 38 - Issue 39
P. 38

A few essentials
                Personal story & takeaway message
               The fi rst truck I ever built from nothing, 1965   Grinders: “A grinder
            Chevrolet C10, was something that anyone in their right   can become a useful
            mind would have sent to the scrap yard and claimed   tool with many different
            their $200. Me being a crazy, artistic and passionate 18   attachments (as seen). I
            year-old I decided to take this and turn it into a budget   have a few to save time,
            build and learning opportunity. About 6 months of work   but only 1 is necessary.
            and $500 later I had a cool little classic truck that had a   Also remember to take care
            halfway decent 30ft paintjob on it.               of them (oil/grease), so they last”
               I used rust-oleum paint from the local hardware   Drill: “The older the better.
            store on the entire truck and old lawnmower fenders   Many of the new drills are junk. I
            as replacement cab corners. I re-used and re-fi nished   chose to buy a brand new one last
            the fl atbed that was already on the truck and went   winter, it never gets used because
            through the basics of the engine to get ‘er running   it’s wimpy; instead I use the new
            good.  I even used 2x4’s for sanding blocks for the   battery on the old drill.”
            bondo work- not a fancy pneumatic stick sander or   Welder: “A mig welder will
            other expensive tools.                            get you a long way. I have built
               After the truck was completed, the San Francisco   entire cars with this little 110v,
            Globe actually wrote an article on this build because   gas shielded, welder that’s
            they were impressed with the passion and work that   seen here.”
            had obviously gone into the restoration by a young   Welding helmet:
            man. To read the entire article google search “Luke   “Welding helmets are
            Merrill restores old Chevy truck.”                essential. The quality of the
               While this exposure may not be “typical” of    helmet is a luxury. As seen
            a budget build, it goes to show that the most     on the left is a Harbour
            respectable aspect of the build is the passion,   Freight Speed lens: it works,
            dedication and hard work. Not the money, the garage   but isn’t as nice as the one
            it was built in, the tools used or the knowledge that   on the right, which is an
            it took to build said creation. I went into it with very   Arcone speed lends which
            little money (didn’t even have a job at the age of 18),   has adjustable modes and
            minimal tools and zero knowledge outside of the   many more features than the
            basic oil change- which I had just learned how to do.   H.F. model. I weld frequently and am happy with my
               Rather I was passionate, motivated and willing   little extra investment in the Arcone helmet.”
            to work hard to learn something that interested me.
            When you can go into the shop and forget about all   Luxury Item
            of life’s worries for the entire time you are working,   Drill Doctor: “While not
            you know you are in the proper place. A few small   necessary, a drill doctor (drill bit
            obstacles like those mentioned above should not stop   sharpener) is a good one-time
            you. The only thing truly stopping you is yourself. Get   investment in saving yourself
            out there, build your dreams, build your skills and the   some time. No matter the project,
            rest will come naturally.                         you will most likely use drill bits.”
               To see more DIY type tutorials, in video format,   do not limit what you
            make sure to check out & subscribe to my YouTube   can build- only you limit the
            channel at www.youtube.com/tinman2kustoms         possibilities.”



             38     RAT ROD MAGAZINE ISSUE THIRTY-NINE



         36x39 luke merrill.indd   38                                                                         8/10/16   1:50 PM
   33   34   35   36   37   38   39   40   41   42   43