1926 S-26 IHC Custom

Last year before I built the Box, I made two wood steering wheels for my trucks. I had lots of fun on the lath, and then the serious work was two months of rasping and sanding for the finger lugs. I think they looked good when I was done.

Making the finger grips took two months! That's some dedicated work! Fantastic results!!!

I would rasp a bit and sand a bit while my students were working on their projects, some days I would only get about 10 minutes on the wheel.

The cab is constructed, ready for sanding and clear coat. I framed for a large rear window, that way I can see clear from my left and right when I back up. I fitted the unit to the truck and it fit like a glove.

The wood from the floor and seat wasn't really that bad for 90 years.

I am going to have the welder fabricate a frame that will sit flush with the underside of the seat frame and bolted to the frame to attach seat belts and it will secure the rear of the cab down on to the frame. Need belts or my daughter wont let me take my grandson out for a drive in the old truck.


The next move is to bend the exterior steel skins, hoping all goes well.

I noticed the DRESS-CODE sign. No more wood working in your BVDs.
BTW. Looking good.
I miss having access to the big brake and sheer where I worked. I brought my materials, had to sign my material in and get a supervisor to check me out when I was done. I used to build custom toolbox end cabinets, on my coffee and lunch breaks. In the best year, I made 27 end cabinets. I stopped building when an attitude of entitlement PD me off.

Its funny that we had to post that sign, the industry requires proper clothing but the students feel that its a break when they come to school and show up in shorts. Sad but true

I think it can be said, " the girl next door looks like a hooker and the STW look like "the" girl next door." I was born 50 years to soon.

I appreciate the work you do. The man building the monster house next door is a cabinet builder from Europe. Next time he stops by for coffee, I will show your pictures to him.

Are the slats in the roof "steamed" or are they dry bent?

I shaved them down and dry bent them. I installed them and left sit for a few days and then removed them to slack. I put them in the final with adhesive and screws, there no longer under pressure.

I milled them down to 5/16" so they would flex easily, I am going to stain the underside of the roof sheathing black and clear coat the inside so its natural. I want the slats to stand out in the ceiling and I think the black stain will do it, I will also paint the inner portion of the body skin black. The exterior of the body metal will eventually be grey to flow with the sun-bleach stain I put on the box. Trying to make it look new and old at the same time. The worst is I strip off the stain from the box if I don't like the final look.

Well, she looks more like a cab now