29 Tudor interior panel question

[fred93]

I am installing all new interior panels into a 29 Tudor but I am seeing a potential problem. Even though the interior wood looks fine I am finding out that it is quite hard. I was temporarily installing one of the rear corner panels to see how it fit and I noticed that the brads which I was using had a tendency to bend over when hitting them with a hammer. It seems that the wood is very hard (probably due to age) and the brads start to bend rather than going in straight.

I thought about drilling a pilot hole, but it would need to be rather small since to brads are only .048".

Any one have any ideas?

[Dean Lemoine]

I installed a new interior in my ‘29 Tudor just a couple of weeks ago. I used a pneumatic pin nailer with 5/8 nails. It worked really well.

[fred93]

Originally Posted by Dean Lemoine

I installed a new interior in my ‘29 Tudor just a couple of weeks ago. I used a pneumatic pin nailer with 5/8 nails. It worked really well.

Can u give me a brand and model number of the nail gun?

I thought about using a air nail gun but I wonder if it would tear the fabric as the nail went into the panel?

[Dean Lemoine]

I used a Senco Finish Pro 21LXP. I had no problems with it tearing the fabric. Since it has practically no head, the “nail” doesn’t show.

[fred93]

Originally Posted by Dean Lemoine

I used a Senco Finish Pro 21LXP. I had no problems with it tearing the fabric. Since it has practically no head, the “nail” doesn’t show.

Do the brads that you used in this jun have a pointed tip? Is there a specific name for the brads that you used?

[Dean Lemoine]

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The tips are wedge shaped, not really a point. They’re a 21 gauge, not sure hardware stores carry them, and they probably won’t work in another type of gun.

[Gary Karr]

Fred, I don't think the issue is with dry wood. I had the same problem with my Coupe. I discovered that the quality of the new brads is the issue. I think they're cheap China carp. I dragged out a jar of old brads and they set as they should.

[fred93]

Originally Posted by Gary Karr

Fred, I don't think the issue is with dry wood. I had the same problem with my Coupe. I discovered that the quality of the new brads is the issue. I think they're cheap China carp. I dragged out a jar of old brads and they set as they should.

I hear you--don't get me started on the China problem--been there done that many times over!!
However, I have heard from some restorers that the hard wood problem is definitely
an issue. I saw it mentioned in one of the Ford-barn posts. I'll have to look it up.

Thanks for the reply.