The Ford Barn

racemo · 10-31-2011, 01:17 PM

Has anyone identified a, close to original, nail that is used to attach body panels to the wood? It appears that the nails removed, most of them broke off when the sheet metal was removed, were of a hardened material. I assume the factory depended on the nails being stiff enough to pierce the panel at time of installation. Where could one purchase an appropriate nail, please? It will take many of them as all panels have been removed from the body structure for wood replacement.

As always, your recommendations are appreciated.. Racemo

Jack Innes · 10-31-2011, 05:31 PM

Restoration Supply Co. in Ca. has them. They are good people to deal with.

They have an on-line catalog with amazing stuff in it. http://www.restorationstuff.com/

racemo · 11-01-2011, 06:49 AM

Jack,

You seniors come through again. What a catalog!! Thanks many times over.

Racemo

Dick Carne · 11-02-2011, 03:04 PM

We recently finished the replacement wood and re-nailing process on a '29 Briggs project, and found that the local Home Depot also had a pretty decent selection of nails, both shanked and twisted. Perhaps another possibility....?

Jack Innes · 11-02-2011, 05:53 PM

Dick,

If you notice in the Restoration Supply Co. catalog they refer to the body nails as hardened nails. This may be to help drive them through the panel but I would guess that they would be less likely to fail from metal fatigue than a softer carpenter's nail.

I have used the hardened body nails & they seem to work well.

tmodelman · 11-02-2011, 06:43 PM

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I have used bronze boat nails, refitting a wood firewall to metal body sheet steel, these are ringed nails used for wood boat building, tough, drive easy but hold great. Try to pull one out if you place it wrong! Got them at local hardware store, pic in link shows these nails.

http://www.amazon.com/Hillman-9526-B.../dp/B000FJUCJK

bryan25modelt · 10-05-2021, 02:38 PM

I just finished rebuilding the wood on the rear of my 25 Coupe and was searching for the right nails to use and the reference to Restorationstuff.com was very timely. Just ordered a bag of nails to start attaching the sheet metal.

10-31-2011, 01:17 PM	#1
racemo Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Dearborn, MI Posts: 97	Body Panel Nails Has anyone identified a, close to original, nail that is used to attach body panels to the wood? It appears that the nails removed, most of them broke off when the sheet metal was removed, were of a hardened material. I assume the factory depended on the nails being stiff enough to pierce the panel at time of installation. Where could one purchase an appropriate nail, please? It will take many of them as all panels have been removed from the body structure for wood replacement. As always, your recommendations are appreciated.. Racemo __________________ Racemo Dearborn Hts., MI

10-31-2011, 05:31 PM	#2
Jack Innes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 704	Re: Body Panel Nails Restoration Supply Co. in Ca. has them. They are good people to deal with. They have an on-line catalog with amazing stuff in it. http://www.restorationstuff.com/

11-01-2011, 06:49 AM	#3
racemo Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Dearborn, MI Posts: 97	Re: Body Panel Nails Jack, You seniors come through again. What a catalog!! Thanks many times over. Racemo __________________ Racemo Dearborn Hts., MI

11-02-2011, 03:04 PM	#4
Dick Carne Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 467	Re: Body Panel Nails We recently finished the replacement wood and re-nailing process on a '29 Briggs project, and found that the local Home Depot also had a pretty decent selection of nails, both shanked and twisted. Perhaps another possibility....?

11-02-2011, 05:53 PM	#5
Jack Innes Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Brooklin, Ontario Posts: 704	Re: Body Panel Nails Dick, If you notice in the Restoration Supply Co. catalog they refer to the body nails as hardened nails. This may be to help drive them through the panel but I would guess that they would be less likely to fail from metal fatigue than a softer carpenter's nail. I have used the hardened body nails & they seem to work well.

10-05-2021, 02:38 PM	#7
bryan25modelt Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Prospect Heights, IL Posts: 3	Re: Body Panel Nails I just finished rebuilding the wood on the rear of my 25 Coupe and was searching for the right nails to use and the reference to Restorationstuff.com was very timely. Just ordered a bag of nails to start attaching the sheet metal.