The Ford Barn

Model A Fan · 01-01-2016, 10:39 PM

I recently started getting equipment for woodworking and figured I'd combine these two hobbies and make something useful for myself.

Are there any plans out there that I can download or buy to make my own wood kit for a 30-31 roadster? I'd rather be able to make my own than shell out the couple hundred bucks for a kit.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 01-01-2016, 10:45 PM

Yep, the blueprints are for sale at the Bensen Research Library in Dearborn, MI.

Mike V. Florida · 01-01-2016, 11:45 PM

What Brent is not telling you is that it could cost thousands to obtain the prints. The Benson Center gets money to do the research and then you have to purchase the files that would have several revisions and then there is the possibility that some of the prints might not be readable. You can save money by going to Dearborn yourself but the cost of the trip becomes part of the documentation cost.

Short answer, while the research center has what you need the cost to obtain them would be more than the cost of "a couple hundred bucks for a kit".

Rowdy · 01-01-2016, 11:54 PM

Not to mention there are restrictions to the use of the prints. You can not reproduce the prints and sell them and you can not use them to make the parts and sell the parts unless you pay a considerable amount more. Unfortunately with some body styles there are not many other options. Rod

Larry Jenkins · 01-02-2016, 12:05 AM

I recall a fellow witn the last name of "Cabella" who offers Model A wood kits.

Don't know first name or location. I guess tne message is, find the best wood supplier. Maybe othere here will give you better information.

Larry

Model A Fan · 01-02-2016, 02:01 AM

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Dang, so it sounds like the plans cost more than feasible. I guess I can thank myself for liking the roadster instead of the fordor or tudor...those wood kits are insane!

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 01-02-2016, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Model A Fan

Dang, so it sounds like the plans cost more than feasible. I guess I can thank myself for liking the roadster instead of the fordor or tudor...those wood kits are insane!

I suppose it's like the saying that "If it was easy, everyone would be doing it!". Yes, the print copies are expensive but they do not need to be purchased. If you are at the library, you can view the prints and make notes of dimensions onto your own paper. If you are truly seeking to enter into this market as a career, you should strongly consider digitizing all of the prints in CAD and use a CNC Router (-or mill) to make the pieces.

I think the "Cabelas" comment was meant to be Cubels. Do your research first before you make a purchase would be my advice.

fiftyv8 · 01-02-2016, 06:14 AM

Try these guys.

http://www.classicwoodproductsllc.com/

Terry, NJ · 01-02-2016, 08:06 AM

I am a former Tool and Die maker and I'm restoring a 30 Town Sedan. So I assumed I could make these pieces, What the heck? It's only wood, right? Uhh! I had guess again and again.
Someone once posted a print of a wooden part and in the info block, they listed the tolerances as plus or minus .010! That's pretty close for wood, in 1930. I was glad I used a Vernier to get sizes and a good angle gauge. There are very few square angles on these parts. The angles are small and easy to over look. No they are important! Getting the wood was easy. I just cut an Ash tree down and had it milled. I've got pics in my album, My A. Just go to my profile and scroll the albums. If you're interested, There are pics of Henry Ford's, wood production center in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where the wood parts were actually made.
I had to buy the top wood and the bottom sills at a cost of around $1600. At the time, The entire wooden parts cost a little over $4000. Today, it's over $5000.
Terry

BILL WILLIAMSON · 01-02-2016, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry, NJ

I am a former Tool and Die maker and I'm restoring a 30 Town Sedan. So I assumed I could make these pieces, What the heck? It's only wood, right? Uhh! I had guess again and again.
Someone once posted a print of a wooden part and in the info block, they listed the tolerances as plus or minus .010! That's pretty close for wood, in 1930. I was glad I used a Vernier to get sizes and a good angle gauge. There are very few square angles on these parts. The angles are small and easy to over look. No they are important! Getting the wood was easy. I just cut an Ash tree down and had it milled. I've got pics in my album, My A. Just go to my profile and scroll the albums. If you're interested, There are pics of Henry Ford's, wood production center in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where the wood parts were actually made.
I had to buy the top wood and the bottom sills at a cost of around $1600. At the time, The entire wooden parts cost a little over $4000. Today, it's over $5000.
Terry

And "they' make JOKES about Old Chebbys having SO MUCH WOOD??????????????????????HMMMN! I'm so surprised that Henry DIDN'T make ALL STEEL bodies.
Bill W.

C26Pinelake · 01-02-2016, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Model A Fan

I recently started getting equipment for woodworking and figured I'd combine these two hobbies and make something useful for myself.

Are there any plans out there that I can download or buy to make my own wood kit for a 30-31 roadster? I'd rather be able to make my own than shell out the couple hundred bucks for a kit.

A couple hundred bucks !!! Where ???
Wayne

Terry, NJ · 01-02-2016, 12:08 PM

And..... Don't forget, Henry only used Pyroxylin (sp ?) lacquer as a wood preservative and he painted only the sides that were exposed. When you remove the wood, the side up against the body is the natural surfaces.And there's no paint on the steel where the wood was. Hey it made 80+ years. The Chebbies, from what I'm told, didn't last. Plus they broke their rear axles. My friend Ron has a 29 with modern axles just for that reason. I remember Dad's cousin saying that the late 20s, early 30s Chevies were famous for being axle breakers.
Terry

Quote:

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

And "they' make JOKES about Old Chebbys having SO MUCH WOOD??????????????????????HMMMN! I'm so surprised that Henry DIDN'T make ALL STEEL bodies.
Bill W.

Rowdy · 01-02-2016, 12:34 PM

One advantage to buying the prints instead of using what is out there from some of the people who make the current kits is they do not require as much work to make them fit properly. I know of one person who purchased the kit for his delivery from the only person who has made the kits in the last 15 years and now has a 1/4" gap above his rear door. No problems with this using the prints. With the cost of the kit that has been made the money is working out about the same. This is not true of the kits for the more common body styles. Rod

Cool Hand Lurker · 01-02-2016, 05:40 PM

I have never put in a kit but from past replies on this forum by people who know there is still a lot of work making the pre-cut pieces actually fit together well. Either way it is not an easy job.

01-01-2016, 10:39 PM	#1
Model A Fan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bellingham, Washington Posts: 362	"Blueprints" for Wood Kits-Is there such a thing? I recently started getting equipment for woodworking and figured I'd combine these two hobbies and make something useful for myself. Are there any plans out there that I can download or buy to make my own wood kit for a 30-31 roadster? I'd rather be able to make my own than shell out the couple hundred bucks for a kit.

01-01-2016, 10:45 PM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,516	Re: "Blueprints" for Wood Kits-Is there such a thing? Yep, the blueprints are for sale at the Bensen Research Library in Dearborn, MI. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

01-01-2016, 11:45 PM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: "Blueprints" for Wood Kits-Is there such a thing? What Brent is not telling you is that it could cost thousands to obtain the prints. The Benson Center gets money to do the research and then you have to purchase the files that would have several revisions and then there is the possibility that some of the prints might not be readable. You can save money by going to Dearborn yourself but the cost of the trip becomes part of the documentation cost. Short answer, while the research center has what you need the cost to obtain them would be more than the cost of "a couple hundred bucks for a kit". __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

01-01-2016, 11:54 PM	#4
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: "Blueprints" for Wood Kits-Is there such a thing? Not to mention there are restrictions to the use of the prints. You can not reproduce the prints and sell them and you can not use them to make the parts and sell the parts unless you pay a considerable amount more. Unfortunately with some body styles there are not many other options. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

01-02-2016, 12:05 AM	#5
Larry Jenkins BANNED Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: East Central Iowa Posts: 1,275	Re: "Blueprints" for Wood Kits-Is there such a thing? I recall a fellow witn the last name of "Cabella" who offers Model A wood kits. Don't know first name or location. I guess tne message is, find the best wood supplier. Maybe othere here will give you better information. Larry __________________ Good enough.. Isn't.

01-02-2016, 02:01 AM	#6
Model A Fan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bellingham, Washington Posts: 362	Re: "Blueprints" for Wood Kits-Is there such a thing? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Dang, so it sounds like the plans cost more than feasible. I guess I can thank myself for liking the roadster instead of the fordor or tudor...those wood kits are insane!

01-02-2016, 06:14 AM	#8
fiftyv8 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 141	Re: "Blueprints" for Wood Kits-Is there such a thing? Try these guys. http://www.classicwoodproductsllc.com/

01-02-2016, 08:06 AM	#9
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: "Blueprints" for Wood Kits-Is there such a thing? I am a former Tool and Die maker and I'm restoring a 30 Town Sedan. So I assumed I could make these pieces, What the heck? It's only wood, right? Uhh! I had guess again and again. Someone once posted a print of a wooden part and in the info block, they listed the tolerances as plus or minus .010! That's pretty close for wood, in 1930. I was glad I used a Vernier to get sizes and a good angle gauge. There are very few square angles on these parts. The angles are small and easy to over look. No they are important! Getting the wood was easy. I just cut an Ash tree down and had it milled. I've got pics in my album, My A. Just go to my profile and scroll the albums. If you're interested, There are pics of Henry Ford's, wood production center in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where the wood parts were actually made. I had to buy the top wood and the bottom sills at a cost of around $1600. At the time, The entire wooden parts cost a little over $4000. Today, it's over $5000. Terry

01-02-2016, 12:34 PM	#13
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: "Blueprints" for Wood Kits-Is there such a thing? One advantage to buying the prints instead of using what is out there from some of the people who make the current kits is they do not require as much work to make them fit properly. I know of one person who purchased the kit for his delivery from the only person who has made the kits in the last 15 years and now has a 1/4" gap above his rear door. No problems with this using the prints. With the cost of the kit that has been made the money is working out about the same. This is not true of the kits for the more common body styles. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

01-02-2016, 05:40 PM	#14
Cool Hand Lurker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Minn Posts: 1,565	Re: "Blueprints" for Wood Kits-Is there such a thing? I have never put in a kit but from past replies on this forum by people who know there is still a lot of work making the pre-cut pieces actually fit together well. Either way it is not an easy job.