You know what I like best on these vids. No silly filler music,. No goofy friends around and the clown act that follows that you see on so many vids. The best is he does it all with basic tools most of us have and the whole process from start to finish. You have the desire to jump in on your own projects and have at it. Two thumbs up here Fitzee.
Absolutely first class - pace and content of your delivery is spot-on sir. No excess waffle, great explanation of technique - you are an absolute gift for amateurs like me (and for professionals too I'm sure). The fact that you've retained a bit of your Irish accent is an extra bonus! Many thanks.
Very useful information on making the patch panel. The other thing that I was impressed with, was your explanation of the guard on the angle grinder with the cutting wheel. I've seen so many repairers using grinders with cutting wheels and no guard and they are risking their lives. I always have guards on my grinders. I have had two of these cutting wheels explode and the shrapnel was thrown harmlessly away in front of me, saved by the guard. Some guy here in Australia was using a grinder with a cutting wheel with no guard and the wheel exploded and hit him in the head and took out his eye. He wasn't even wearing safety glasses. Another thing is that so many repairers don't use hearing protection, so I was happy to see you using earmuffs and safety glassed. It's a good example for others to follow.
Thanks for speaking to the importance of safety guards on the grinder. I see way too many videos where people are using the grinder without any sort of a guard. Yeah, they're a pain and get in the way sometimes, but they cause a lot more pain when you catch a chunk of grinding wheel with your body.
I noticed this, too. It seems as if those guys that are always pushing those high priced special tools are working on some kind of commission. Most of us can't afford that crap that they're pushing and it's as if they're saying that it can't be done otherwise. It's tiring and discouraging watching all of that and now that I've found Fitzee's channel, It doesn't make sense t watching that crap any longer. By the way Ford Racer, I bleed Ford blue, also.
this channel is pure gold. i actually work in fabrication, but in much heavier and thicker material. and i've been doing rust repairs on my own project along with few others for work and friends. and man.. you adress so many problems i've been struggling with
I enjoy watching you make those panels I’m an old body man 45 years I’m still working in the collision repair and history but I haven’t done anything like that in 25 or 30 years it’s like old home week
When I was enlightened to the joys of metal, and became a disciple of machining, I couldn’t understand why welding was considered as vast a capability as the mill and the lathe. Watching this video demonstrates just one piece of the beautiful art of welding, and why each skill set is equally vast and critical. I may yet learn some MIG, but will never master that art the way you have! Very nice.
Fitzee, I am so thankful that you make these informative videos. You are a true craftsman and an excellent teacher if only you were our autoshop teacher in high school many of us would not have gotten a C grade. Amazing skills never thought you can save rot like that now I believe I might just have the guts to tackle something like that next time. Thank you for the great video!
Hey Fitzee... I've been around a lot of tradespeople and I love the way you just "get in" and get it done! You don't over complicate the job and that's why in my opinion you're a winner! Thanks for sharing.
i took a lot of good points from this video: excess length of panels to get a smoother weld pass, the excess material allows clamping down the panel without affecting the panel quality, and the inside weld allowing an easier time to form outside rounded edges between panels. thank you
You are a truly skilled man. I wish I came across your channel 2 years ago. Keep it up... our kids need to learn your skills. I hope you keep the videos coming.
I don't sit around waiting for someone to make it look easy. I can watch anybody and figure out what they're doing wrong. I've taught people how to do things I've never done before in my life, since I was a kid! People just tend to panic too quickly and get married to one bad idea...
@@Tricknologyinc I am the same. Is it a gift or a savant type of situation? It is not an illusion. Not a self-serving belief. It is real and astonishes people. I shouldn't use that word because most people convince themselves that they would have thought of that too if given one more second to think. After 30 years in the business. Things that are instantly obvious to you and me seem to elude even the expert. I've had too many experiences to write it off to chance. On the other hand, my wife says I'm an idiot.
This is what I have been looking for. I don’t like all the stretch and shrink done with machines. I know you have to do it at times. I have used this technique for windshield pinch welds but watching you has been a treat for me. Thank You👍🤙😃
I've used this technique for a while now, simply because I didn't know any other way. Always thought people would laugh if they knew how I was doing it. Now I see a real pro using the same technique and it makes me feel like I was doing something right all along. Thanks Fitzee! I'm now motivated to get started on a new project.
Thanks brother! Nice to see you take it of the car! Original and new to me, im just a diyer, but learned bit by bit, and still do...its an art! Respect Sir! Bob. BElgium Europe🇧🇪
A bit of an Irish accent, I was thinking you sounded like you were from Nova Scotia! Wonderful work, explained in simple terms. Thanks for showing your techniques and also your specific tools. You left out the two most important ones: your mind and your hands.
G'day and greetings from Tasmania Australia I off ten wondered how you fixed hard places such as the dog leg you explained very well and showed how you did it. The one thing I commend you most for and it deals with work shop safety and that is leaving the guards on the grinders, you see a lot of blokes on you tube that have taken them off, thank you for putting it out there. Thanks for showing this kind regards John
Fitzee I have been overhearing this video for the last two days as my husband loves it. He has also been quoting “that’s not how Fitzee does it”. You have a solid fan in him. Keep up the great videos !
I bought some patch panels to fix up my rust bucket OBS F250 and discovered that they don't fit anything out of the box and need a lot of tailoring. The method you demonstrated in this video saved me a ton of time and I managed to get a functional result without too much fiddling around. With some practice they might actually look good too. Thanks.
You are a very good craft man,and instructor. I have learned a lot from you, and I do every time I watch a video. I like your patches project. Thank you. Ronnie.
I've watched many of your videos and your easy teaching style has emboldened me to buy a MIG welder of my own and try fixing the rust damage on my '05 Blazer. The techniques you show and your explanations as to how and why they should be used are exactly what I hoped I could learn from someone. Thank you and please keep up with the great content!
I just started doin rust repair a few months ago and I struggled with a complicated repair for a couple weeks. I will try your way next time. I am learning a lot! Subscribed yesterday and gettin caught up. Hello from Saskatchewan.
I used to fabricate NASCAR steel-bodied race cars - you cracked me up when you left the camera frame to cut the sheet metal - the guy is using a cutoff wheel! Me - I use tin snips; I could do surgery with tin snips. To each his own I guess. As per a cutoff wheel; I would never use one on a grinder like that; a rock pad or flap wheel - sure. We used the die grinder for that work (air tool). It is 90 degrees to the fingers, also gives you more control over the RPM's. It is an art, and each of us had/have our ways. I remember what got me into it. I first looked at a piece of tin as a flat piece of tin, but others saw it as a fender, or dash panel, and it just fascinated me as how could they do that. Sheet metal was just too cool, and I enjoyed it the most; and yes, you can shrink metal!
I find it easier and a better edge finsh with the cut off wheel. I'm self taught and never had any experience working with other metal guys. We have nothing like that here. Building nascar bodies had to be interesting. I would of love to be at that. I'm still learning and crave seeing new technics. Thanks for watching
@@janeblogs324 Stories? I got more stories than Carter has pills; and with this virus crap, I got more time than I can handle. The best stories come from the local short tracks. Helped build a car for a local boy with three others. Drug a mid 80's Mustang out of the junkyard and cut it down to the fire wall and chassis. Ran into Toddy Bodine one day at lunch ( 'The Onion,' thet boy is short!). My boss tells him to come by and see the shop. We are in the shop working on that thing, and Toddy walks in and see's what we were doing and says, "What are you guys doing?" My boss looks up at him and says, "Todd, you need to get to the shop more often - we're building a race car!" I don't care where you start from - from the junkyard or just bare metal on a fab-plate. It is going to take 800 man hours to build a race car; minimum. We had a late-model stock car in the shop; it is in the way. Boss tells me to get in and move it. I was going to back it up about a car length (why we did not just push it back I'll never know?). I lite it off and stick it in reverse; squealing the tires, I ran it into a 55 gallon drum full of race gas - damn near ran it through the back of the shop. I get out of the car and my boss is looking at me like I just hit him in the head with a baseball. I dust myself off and the only thing that came to mind - "It's my first race clutch." And to think he let me drive his race cars; I don't know who was loonier - him or me. I never tore one up, but it wasn't for a lack of effort. We helped that boy at Concord speedway in NC for two seasons with that little car, and he ran that late model car also. Won his first race in that mini stock. My wife was the crew-chief for him; Yea, my wife, she is a good little racer too! I was not there that night, probably out on to some other Caper. If you have never stood in victory circle, I can only say there is no other feeling like it. All Glory is fleeting though, and it is why we do what we racers do. But, to be able to give that to others, to me, is even better than being there. The boy gave the four of us a plaque who build that little car, and it is one I will never put up; my wife, to this day, is still pissed that she didn't get a plaque too. Some years later I get a call from a boy down in Georgia. Asked if I built that little car; I told him I helped. He asked if we could build him another one. I told him No, you don't get it - there is no money in that crap! He goes on to tell me that little car won a track championship last year and he wanted one just like it. I drove that little car down the street one time and, I hated it; that thing drove like a turd. Having driven the big cars I hope you can understand. I like the Bush Grand National cars the best - but that is just me. I worked for Buck Baker's youngest boy, Randy, at his driving school for 6 years - best job I ever had. I got to do it all, but compete - even been over the wall in an ARCA race once. Giving to others that fleeting moment of Glory is my fondest memory. It is Fitzee's turn now, and others. Randy told me one dark and gloomy day, " the ride up the hill is wonderful, but the ride down sucks."
From a Canuck on the other side of the country, just a thanks for posting your content. I've started a restoration with some panels required and I've used your approach and tips with good results so far. It's been a big help. Cheers
I wish this video was out a few years ago when I was fabricating panels for my 64 Corvair van. (Corvan 95) Yes, like this car, there are almost no commercially available body pieces. Seeing as I am good around the shop but never tried to fabricate patch panels before, I spent entire weekends doing it almost exactly the way you show here, but in my case it was all trial and error because I had never done it before and I was learning as I went along. Stuff like this looks simple till you need 4 hands and 7 pieces to form a rocker panel. The one trick I learned was about using scraps that already had certain basic shapes. If your patch requires a 90 degree bend and you have a scrap that already has that, then it's probably best to use what you have and weld it in. In my case I had an almost unlimited supply of cabinet parts from commercial generators so lots of pieces to repurpose that already had corners, lips, and bracing. Having access to a plasma cutter, wire feed welder, and several grinders can do wonders.
I've learned so many tricks watching these videos I've been doing patch pannels for years fighting them with all the tips and the welder set up video Its making it alot easier and I have stoped secound geussing my self
I seen 100s of TH-cam welding videos ( I was a master) went out bought a welder and then tried it, I saw what I did and laughed so much at the crap welding job I did. I’m a mechanic and “everyone” is a mechanic they saw it on TH-cam it’s easy, now I know what it is to be a TH-cam master!
Thanks for your amazing video's. I have had the pleasure of working with many tradesmen from "The Rock" and they do fine work. One welder told me he could weld a broken heart at the crack of dawn!
I like your approach of making an individual piece for each face of the whole part and welding it together rather than trying to take one piece of sheet metal and trying to hammer it into all kinds of shapes. I currently actually have the issue you were talking about at the top of the windshield roof section coming apart from the pillars. I like how you were able to do all this without any super special tools. Thanks for all the tips!
So glad I found your Channel getting ready to do body work on my 1970 Chevelle it's got some rust on the quarters and fenders that's not what I was afraid of its the rust around the back window and watching your video has shown me how to fix it thanks I have watched a lot of different videos trying to find one that addresses my particular problem and I finally found yours I've been a welder for 30 years you made the problem that I have look and sound easy to fix I'm excited to get started on my car now that I know what to do thank you
As soon as i saw the maximum brand cut off wheel I knew you had to be a Canadian boy like myself. Work well done, if i was closer I'd have you look at my new project, car rust issues, but I'm going to give it a go looking at your videos.
Fitzee is a highly intelligent man who is prepared to stay with his work till the end when it is finished and perfect and guaranteed, unlike many socially- emotionally oriented professions who have nature helping them to finish up what they leave halfway done and where they never provide a guarantee. It is such a pity that society appreciates emotions but not the guaranteed logic we saw in this and other videos contributed by Fitzee. Sir Congratulations, for your logic and craftsmanship and scultutres!
Thank you Fitzee, excellent video. I am learning lots, most importantly not to be afraid to make something that seems very difficult, but you break it down into it's pieces and show how to fit the jigsaw together.
been doing this all. my life and am 56 and I use same method. for years as I learned after it was faster less tiring to make parts fit when done this way it always fits no stress. and fast, nice to see you go hard , you stay safe!!!!!!!
Thanks for sharing your great craftsmanship, I especially like your tip about building up corners from behind ( Ive learned the hard way on that one) also,how you stress the importance of just " getting the planes first".God bless.
Yay I found Datsun Z video #2....just discovered you worked on a Z. The two I have are SO much rustier. But like you I've got a Black Belt in fabricating parts. You have some different Idea's .So I love to see your approaches.
the only other videos on this on YT are all about dollying and hammering these types of panels, £100,000 car stuff. A beginner would be there a month trying to hammer that. This is just good practical technique for a typical restoration i think! another great video from Fitzee
Thanks Fitzie, so glad I’ve found your channel all the way from down here in Australia. I’m about to begin working in an old v8 Ford I’ve had for 20 years and you are giving me great motivation and some fantastic tips. Keep up the good work.
The ONLY other man I've seen cut the angle grinder guard down for more usable access. All mine are cut back. Works a treat. First thing I do to a new grinder. (I go through a few) And you are correct, too many people cutting without guards. Stupid, scarey, dangerous stuff.
You are a genius! I can’t believe how good you are at body work. I want to get half way decent at this stuff. It just can not afford to have other people do the work I need. But i am so excited to do myself! Thanks for all the help you give everybody.👍
I can't stop watching your videos, the way you connect through these videos is amazing brother, you would make an awesome teacher, the amount of passion and love you have for your skills shows in the way you explain your methods, I really appreciate your time to make these videos, I inspire to become a panel smith like you brother.
Great talent and video! We are working on a 1969 buick wildcat.RUSTY!! Rear quarter panels are gone. Previous person wrapped the panels with aluminum flashing and heeps of body filler.Nobody makes the replacement parts we need so we built them all from sheet metal. It is a great feeling making parts from scratch that look OEM.
I restored a 240 a few years back. We did a lot of custom mods where we made it look like a 1963 Ferrari GTO. On a quiet night, you can hear a 240 rust!
I bought a 72 Datsun 510 new and after one year, I found heavy cancer around the taillight panel just below the taillight lenses. I was told that these cars were secured to the weather-decks of the ships that brought them over from Japan. No covers, no nothing protecting them from the salt environment. Go figure.
True gold. The funny thing is .. after watching it, it's all so obvious. I think the problem is, that for those of us still diddling in the art .. cab corners, or floor patches on junk we're just trying to safety and such .. we've never quite grown the balls to cut into something that we consider valuable with abandon. Interestingly, I recently dd an almost identical repair on a late 90's Dodge van. It really did come out nice enough, but I now see where I did it wrong, and how I beat myself up trying to form (in one piece on the van) what I could have welded in more than one piece (on the bench) - and your way would have been faster! I really can't wait to put these tips to practice!
Sir would not make a good politician! You have nothing to hide, you tell the truth plus you are too honest and use common sense doing your work! Excellent sheet metal practice for a complex part. I am doing my sons 84 ElCamino with the same procedure...now! I to like to seal the backside also. I am lucky to have a metal pressure pot with 7 different hose ends that allow an application of yellowish waxy rust proofing material. I have fixed doors that had no drain holes included after someone welded it only two years earlier. It had 5 gallons of water inside it. ASE Master Tech since 1978 - Retired
I am actually in the process of doing this on a 64 ford pickup around the windshield thanks to fitz im doing it myself saving a lot of money love his videos
Wow, I have watched two of your videos and learned so much. This one will be invaluable when I go to repair the dog legs on my 57 Chev 4 dr since no one makes those for a 4 dr.. Awesome job Fitzee from Fitz!
Fitz could find ya . Glad i did . Just had my 92 bmw convertible rear fender welded rather than bondoed thanks to watching your videos! Now im goin to hav them put it up on the hoist to see if they knew what their doin ! Love watching n learning ! Thanks !
Nice work. I have been a mechanic for 38 years and have just now got into restoring pre 72 muscle cars. I am working on a 68 GTO clone as we speak. I'm thinking about just returning it to just a high performance Lemans. I have a nice engine in it,suspension work and more. I did find a heavily bondoed rt q panel that wes installed a long time ago and I need to make a piece of the fender well at the bottom where it meets the trunk.I tried my hand at some lead work yesterday and after I got the hang of it, it went great. The kid who i got it from was trying to make it into a GTO, so it has a GTO interior w/ a his and hers shift, bucket seats out of an Isuzu trooper that are real comfy.. I built a 75 400 , .060 over so its a 409 cid now and a few other goodies. and a turbo 400 and 2.56 gears. it will still run high 13;s and has a theoretical top end of 160. I had it to 145 so far, need more suspension work. Thanks for the info.
You have the patience and calm persona of The Friendly Giant... Although 'Rusty'is present ...it takes on a whole different entity. Thanks for sharing. Good health and long life to you anf yours.
you all prolly dont care but does anybody know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..? I was stupid forgot my password. I would love any tips you can give me.
@Byron Hugo i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm trying it out atm. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
Aw! This will help me a bunch, shortly! Doing some small repairs and maintainance on my old Volvo, a car my grandad bought new many years ago and my daughter wants when she starts driving in ten years. Almost no rust on it, but a few spots. And of course they are in very tricky places, like under the plastic battery tray, were water has been standing unnoticed, towards the inner wheel well. Now I feel alot more confident in tackeling those spots! Brilliant! 👍👍
Wow I need to go do some actual work but I am struggling from keeping myself from watching all your videos! I like that you don't just work on American stuff or Japanese stuff. You do it right and love doing it no matter what the make!
Very nice work. I am just a DYI person I have a 2000 Dodge ram 1500 that has quite a bit of rust in spots. It's basically just a weekend home depot or going camping my plow truck for around the house. I think I will use some of these techniques to make it look nicer. Thanks so much for your videos you do great work.
Nice job Fitzee. Soon as you started talking I knew you were a Newfoundlander. I'm in Alberta. There are lot's of your buddies around here. I have done some of the metal work you are doing but I am going to learn a lot from your channel. I will be starting a restoration on a 1977 Special Edition Y82 400 4 speed Trans AM with Hurst Hatch's after I finish the 79 I'm working on now. Will have to do some rust repair in the exact place you just did in this video. Subscribed now. Keep em coming my friend!
Awesome !!! After watching channels with moulding and shaping and stretching & fitting , This is awesome. No bullshit , just straightforward & simple for simple guys like me 🤪 Thank you !
Great job TEACHER!! I have never touched bodywork😢 but my son has rust behind the rear wheels on his 02 corolla...and he and I will tackle it! Thanks for the ambition and knowledge! ❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
My man Fitzee makes it seem way too simple and easy, but it isn't! It takes years to figure out the process of what to do first, middle, and last to make the job easier, and good!
I have been welding and fabricating for nearly 10yrs now and always learn new things your content is great, I was very happy with the butt welding you shown us on the truck body with fuel filler cover and will now use the 45 degree angle cut myself rather than cutting flat with the disk. I also have to fit a fuel flap on a project thanks for the info
I want you to work on my 1967 Econoline Pickup. Wow, I purchased it with some bad repairs on the Door hinges so it doesn't quite line up correctly but man you do great work. If your not near me I'm definitely going to try it myself.
Hello from USA, I've got my 2002 Avalanche body off the chassis for a complete restoration, new fenders, inner & outer rockers, dog legs, quarter bottoms, fuel door opening was rotted out, had to fab it in, cargo bed under bracing needed repair, also mid gate frame and back seat floor needed fab repair, using similar methods as this video. New GM replacement frame too, complete rebuilt rolling chassis ready to go under the body when finished. Been using Eastwood Platinum Encapsulator to coat rust repairs, good stuff, makes an excellent frame paint, (I stripped all the OEM wax off) the product MUST be scuff sanded before topcoating, it's literally solvent proof in about an hour, anything that needs to be cleaned of it better be hit with acetone before it cures or it'll just have to wear off. ALSO, wear good eye protection at all times! I have "Fectoggles" or face shield on whenever grinding, but doggone-it, I somehow last month got a speck embedded in my eye! It's been over 20 years since my last one, and when you get one of these it has to be picked out with a needle, so I had to see a DR at the ER, and my insurance isn't as good these days so it cost me $1980 out of pocket. Don't let this happen to you. I'm wearing goggles all times now, not just grinding, I need to put a few years behind me before the next ER visit.
Just stumbled onto this video, great channel! Lots of talent! As soon as you said "I'm happy where its to" @ 5:45, it confirmed to me that you're from The Rock!
Fitzee's Fabrication ..... Gentleman, Thank you so much, learning - as you doing You are *genius, magic as you form metal. . Now it make easier my decision buying a classic car near same condition. So I did follow you *Lectures. several times for my project. Wishing You Health and Luck, God bless Amerika, Greetings from Germany.
Really good work.It's amazing how you can take pretty much nothing and make a beautiful piece out of it. Metal fab is an art no matter what anyone says. You're a fine fab man.
I can't afford to pay a body shop do my work. Had to learn, still learning more and more about body work. Welding is my big down fall, just can't get the sizzle and not using flux core. But so far stuff is holding together and no light shines through. Thank you sir. I started building out panels of a need of necessity.
Are you sure polarity is correct for your welder, remember if the machine was setup for flux core I believe the cables inside need to be reversed, just a thought.
Great Craftsman and Teacher.... I just came across your Web site and must say you one heck of a Bodyman who really simplifies how to repair and fabricate using the most simple tools and the results are amazing. I’m new to the body and fender repair trade and have yet to learn so much from anyone else. Keep up the videos and you are appreciated and I’m really looking forward to more of your skills. 🇺🇸
Fritzee, Thanks 🙏 for the best video in the world of how to refurbish the dog leg of a Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z or S30 Zed Beautifully Brilliant! Cheers from America Kevin
Looking forward to apply your techniques to the same area on my own Z, very educational! I was dreading doing this section but now that I have a clear how-to guide I have much more confidence that I can handle the repair. 👍
You know what I like best on these vids. No silly filler music,. No goofy friends around and the clown act that follows that you see on so many vids. The best is he does it all with basic tools most of us have and the whole process from start to finish. You have the desire to jump in on your own projects and have at it. Two thumbs up here Fitzee.
Absolutely first class - pace and content of your delivery is spot-on sir. No excess waffle, great explanation of technique - you are an absolute gift for amateurs like me (and for professionals too I'm sure). The fact that you've retained a bit of your Irish accent is an extra bonus! Many thanks.
That is not an Irish Accent, Maybe way back but that my friend is a Newfoundlanders accent. From Eastern Canada, And yes the man does beautiful work.
john i would say a bit waffle is a real good thing, i think it makes it not overscripted or contrived for camera
Nicely done sir! I wonder why a handful of people disliked. I think it came out great.
Very useful information on making the patch panel. The other thing that I was impressed with, was your explanation of the guard on the angle grinder with the cutting wheel. I've seen so many repairers using grinders with cutting wheels and no guard and they are risking their lives. I always have guards on my grinders. I have had two of these cutting wheels explode and the shrapnel was thrown harmlessly away in front of me, saved by the guard. Some guy here in Australia was using a grinder with a cutting wheel with no guard and the wheel exploded and hit him in the head and took out his eye. He wasn't even wearing safety glasses. Another thing is that so many repairers don't use hearing protection, so I was happy to see you using earmuffs and safety glassed. It's a good example for others to follow.
Thanks for speaking to the importance of safety guards on the grinder. I see way too many videos where people are using the grinder without any sort of a guard. Yeah, they're a pain and get in the way sometimes, but they cause a lot more pain when you catch a chunk of grinding wheel with your body.
Love how you do things with basic tools. Not everyone has Throat les shears shrinking dies etc. thanks
I noticed this, too. It seems as if those guys that are always pushing those high priced special tools are working on some kind of commission. Most of us can't afford that crap that they're pushing and it's as if they're saying that it can't be done otherwise. It's tiring and discouraging watching all of that and now that I've found Fitzee's channel, It doesn't make sense t watching that crap any longer. By the way Ford Racer, I bleed Ford blue, also.
Getting to see the whole process from beginning to end was really helpful.
You made it look easy!
Thank you!
this channel is pure gold. i actually work in fabrication, but in much heavier and thicker material. and i've been doing rust repairs on my own project along with few others for work and friends. and man.. you adress so many problems i've been struggling with
I enjoy watching you make those panels I’m an old body man 45 years I’m still working in the collision repair and history but I haven’t done anything like that in 25 or 30 years it’s like old home week
I like your presentation. No fluff and straight to the point. Great editing
A moment of silence for all of those people who've not found Fitzee's channel yet.
When I was enlightened to the joys of metal, and became a disciple of machining, I couldn’t understand why welding was considered as vast a capability as the mill and the lathe. Watching this video demonstrates just one piece of the beautiful art of welding, and why each skill set is equally vast and critical. I may yet learn some MIG, but will never master that art the way you have! Very nice.
Fitzee, I am so thankful that you make these informative videos. You are a true craftsman and an excellent teacher if only you were our autoshop teacher in high school many of us would not have gotten a C grade. Amazing skills never thought you can save rot like that now I believe I might just have the guts to tackle something like that next time.
Thank you for the great video!
Hey Fitzee... I've been around a lot of tradespeople and I love the way you just "get in" and get it done! You don't over complicate the job and that's why in my opinion you're a winner! Thanks for sharing.
YT recommended one of your videos... Dammit this channel is a gold mine.
Really good content, thanks.
I second that! There is some really good tip here. All in short videos to.
Get yourself to the Brit channel Trevs blog he will show you how it should be done, a master craftsman, the best on u tube.
Gerald Swain Thanks Gerald I’m already a follower 👍🏻😃
Could you show how to make louvers with hammer and dolly
It's insane. I feel like I have learnt more in 2 days smashing fitzees videos than I have in 10 years!
i took a lot of good points from this video: excess length of panels to get a smoother weld pass, the excess material allows clamping down the panel without affecting the panel quality, and the inside weld allowing an easier time to form outside rounded edges between panels. thank you
Thanks Fitzee. You not only help by sharing your knowledge so effectively but you also remind my Canuck Woman here in the UK of home 🙂
You are a truly skilled man. I wish I came across your channel 2 years ago. Keep it up... our kids need to learn your skills. I hope you keep the videos coming.
When someone makes it look so easy, you believe you could do it yourself, you KNOW, they are good, at what they do.
It is doable, most things are possible with practice, but you won't know if you don't attempt it.
I don't sit around waiting for someone to make it look easy. I can watch anybody and figure out what they're doing wrong. I've taught people how to do things I've never done before in my life, since I was a kid! People just tend to panic too quickly and get married to one bad idea...
@@Tricknologyinc I am the same. Is it a gift or a savant type of situation? It is not an illusion. Not a self-serving belief. It is real and astonishes people. I shouldn't use that word because most people convince themselves that they would have thought of that too if given one more second to think. After 30 years in the business. Things that are instantly obvious to you and me seem to elude even the expert. I've had too many experiences to write it off to chance.
On the other hand, my wife says I'm an idiot.
This is what I have been looking for. I don’t like all the stretch and shrink done with machines. I know you have to do it at times. I have used this technique for windshield pinch welds but watching you has been a treat for me. Thank You👍🤙😃
Love the old-school craftsmanship and also your accent!!!
I've used this technique for a while now, simply because I didn't know any other way. Always thought people would laugh if they knew how I was doing it. Now I see a real pro using the same technique and it makes me feel like I was doing something right all along. Thanks Fitzee! I'm now motivated to get started on a new project.
Thanks brother! Nice to see you take it of the car! Original and new to me, im just a diyer, but learned bit by bit, and still do...its an art! Respect Sir! Bob. BElgium Europe🇧🇪
A bit of an Irish accent, I was thinking you sounded like you were from Nova Scotia! Wonderful work, explained in simple terms. Thanks for showing your techniques and also your specific tools. You left out the two most important ones: your mind and your hands.
G'day and greetings from Tasmania Australia I off ten wondered how you fixed hard places such as the dog leg you explained very well and showed how you did it. The one thing I commend you most for and it deals with work shop safety and that is leaving the guards on the grinders, you see a lot of blokes on you tube that have taken them off, thank you for putting it out there. Thanks for showing this kind regards John
Fitzee I have been overhearing this video for the last two days as my husband loves it. He has also been quoting “that’s not how Fitzee does it”. You have a solid fan in him. Keep up the great videos !
Hi Fitzee! The experience and tips you are sharing are priceless. Thank you.
Thanks for the grinder tip! I’ve been running without a guard for years. But no more. I’m tired of getting bit.
OUTSTANDING
You just sped up my learning curve by 3 to 4 years.I was doing some of your 💡 ideas now I know I'm not alone. Thanks a bunch brother !!
I bought some patch panels to fix up my rust bucket OBS F250 and discovered that they don't fit anything out of the box and need a lot of tailoring. The method you demonstrated in this video saved me a ton of time and I managed to get a functional result without too much fiddling around. With some practice they might actually look good too. Thanks.
You are a very good craft man,and instructor. I have learned a lot from you, and I do every time I watch a video. I like your patches project. Thank you. Ronnie.
I've watched many of your videos and your easy teaching style has emboldened me to buy a MIG welder of my own and try fixing the rust damage on my '05 Blazer. The techniques you show and your explanations as to how and why they should be used are exactly what I hoped I could learn from someone. Thank you and please keep up with the great content!
So a year later how is ur welding
I just started doin rust repair a few months ago and I struggled with a complicated repair for a couple weeks. I will try your way next time. I am learning a lot! Subscribed yesterday and gettin caught up. Hello from Saskatchewan.
I used to fabricate NASCAR steel-bodied race cars - you cracked me up when you left the camera frame to cut the sheet metal - the guy is using a cutoff wheel! Me - I use tin snips; I could do surgery with tin snips. To each his own I guess. As per a cutoff wheel; I would never use one on a grinder like that; a rock pad or flap wheel - sure. We used the die grinder for that work (air tool). It is 90 degrees to the fingers, also gives you more control over the RPM's. It is an art, and each of us had/have our ways. I remember what got me into it. I first looked at a piece of tin as a flat piece of tin, but others saw it as a fender, or dash panel, and it just fascinated me as how could they do that. Sheet metal was just too cool, and I enjoyed it the most; and yes, you can shrink metal!
I find it easier and a better edge finsh with the cut off wheel. I'm self taught and never had any experience working with other metal guys. We have nothing like that here. Building nascar bodies had to be interesting. I would of love to be at that. I'm still learning and crave seeing new technics. Thanks for watching
Tell us more stories Chuck
@@janeblogs324 Stories? I got more stories than Carter has pills; and with this virus crap, I got more time than I can handle. The best stories come from the local short tracks. Helped build a car for a local boy with three others. Drug a mid 80's Mustang out of the junkyard and cut it down to the fire wall and chassis. Ran into Toddy Bodine one day at lunch ( 'The Onion,' thet boy is short!). My boss tells him to come by and see the shop. We are in the shop working on that thing, and Toddy walks in and see's what we were doing and says, "What are you guys doing?" My boss looks up at him and says, "Todd, you need to get to the shop more often - we're building a race car!" I don't care where you start from - from the junkyard or just bare metal on a fab-plate. It is going to take 800 man hours to build a race car; minimum.
We had a late-model stock car in the shop; it is in the way. Boss tells me to get in and move it. I was going to back it up about a car length (why we did not just push it back I'll never know?). I lite it off and stick it in reverse; squealing the tires, I ran it into a 55 gallon drum full of race gas - damn near ran it through the back of the shop. I get out of the car and my boss is looking at me like I just hit him in the head with a baseball. I dust myself off and the only thing that came to mind - "It's my first race clutch." And to think he let me drive his race cars; I don't know who was loonier - him or me. I never tore one up, but it wasn't for a lack of effort.
We helped that boy at Concord speedway in NC for two seasons with that little car, and he ran that late model car also. Won his first race in that mini stock. My wife was the crew-chief for him; Yea, my wife, she is a good little racer too! I was not there that night, probably out on to some other Caper. If you have never stood in victory circle, I can only say there is no other feeling like it. All Glory is fleeting though, and it is why we do what we racers do. But, to be able to give that to others, to me, is even better than being there. The boy gave the four of us a plaque who build that little car, and it is one I will never put up; my wife, to this day, is still pissed that she didn't get a plaque too.
Some years later I get a call from a boy down in Georgia. Asked if I built that little car; I told him I helped. He asked if we could build him another one. I told him No, you don't get it - there is no money in that crap! He goes on to tell me that little car won a track championship last year and he wanted one just like it. I drove that little car down the street one time and, I hated it; that thing drove like a turd. Having driven the big cars I hope you can understand. I like the Bush Grand National cars the best - but that is just me. I worked for Buck Baker's youngest boy, Randy, at his driving school for 6 years - best job I ever had. I got to do it all, but compete - even been over the wall in an ARCA race once. Giving to others that fleeting moment of Glory is my fondest memory. It is Fitzee's turn now, and others. Randy told me one dark and gloomy day, " the ride up the hill is wonderful, but the ride down sucks."
From a Canuck on the other side of the country, just a thanks for posting your content. I've started a restoration with some panels required and I've used your approach and tips with good results so far. It's been a big help. Cheers
Awesome ..what a imagination u.. Your mind is ur best tool. And a a good teacher of course..
IN this world it's not what you do, it's how you do it that wins the day. doing things like this could save you lots of money.
I wish this video was out a few years ago when I was fabricating panels for my 64 Corvair van. (Corvan 95) Yes, like this car, there are almost no commercially available body pieces. Seeing as I am good around the shop but never tried to fabricate patch panels before, I spent entire weekends doing it almost exactly the way you show here, but in my case it was all trial and error because I had never done it before and I was learning as I went along. Stuff like this looks simple till you need 4 hands and 7 pieces to form a rocker panel. The one trick I learned was about using scraps that already had certain basic shapes. If your patch requires a 90 degree bend and you have a scrap that already has that, then it's probably best to use what you have and weld it in. In my case I had an almost unlimited supply of cabinet parts from commercial generators so lots of pieces to repurpose that already had corners, lips, and bracing. Having access to a plasma cutter, wire feed welder, and several grinders can do wonders.
I love crown panels. I save alot of shapes and crowns. My patches project is all made up of used bits and pieces.
@@fitzeesfabrications ... my favorite bit of recycling is finding a new use for factory made louvers or grillwork that I found on a cabinet door.
I've learned so many tricks watching these videos I've been doing patch pannels for years fighting them with all the tips and the welder set up video Its making it alot easier and I have stoped secound geussing my self
I seen 100s of TH-cam welding videos ( I was a master) went out bought a welder and then tried it, I saw what I did and laughed so much at the crap welding job I did. I’m a mechanic and “everyone” is a mechanic they saw it on TH-cam it’s easy, now I know what it is to be a TH-cam master!
Thanks for your amazing video's. I have had the pleasure of working with many tradesmen from "The Rock" and they do fine work. One welder told me he could weld a broken heart at the crack of dawn!
Nice work been a auto body combination man for 40 years. Keep up the nice work.. We're a dying breed..
I like your approach of making an individual piece for each face of the whole part and welding it together rather than trying to take one piece of sheet metal and trying to hammer it into all kinds of shapes. I currently actually have the issue you were talking about at the top of the windshield roof section coming apart from the pillars. I like how you were able to do all this without any super special tools. Thanks for all the tips!
So glad I found your Channel getting ready to do body work on my 1970 Chevelle it's got some rust on the quarters and fenders that's not what I was afraid of its the rust around the back window and watching your video has shown me how to fix it thanks I have watched a lot of different videos trying to find one that addresses my particular problem and I finally found yours I've been a welder for 30 years you made the problem that I have look and sound easy to fix I'm excited to get started on my car now that I know what to do thank you
As soon as i saw the maximum brand cut off wheel I knew you had to be a Canadian boy like myself. Work well done, if i was closer I'd have you look at my new project, car rust issues, but I'm going to give it a go looking at your videos.
Yes have at it. Part of Canada you from and what is your rusty project?
Fitzee is a highly intelligent man who is prepared to stay with his work till the end when it is finished and perfect and guaranteed, unlike many socially- emotionally oriented professions who have nature helping them to finish up what they leave halfway done and where they never provide a guarantee. It is such a pity that society appreciates emotions but not the guaranteed logic we saw in this and other videos contributed by Fitzee. Sir Congratulations, for your logic and craftsmanship and scultutres!
Your vids are helping me alot. I work at a bodyshop in PEI doing rust work & basically self taught. Appreciate you putting these out
Thank you Fitzee, excellent video. I am learning lots, most importantly not to be afraid to make something that seems very difficult, but you break it down into it's pieces and show how to fit the jigsaw together.
You are a master craftsman and a pleasure to watch! Thank you I am learning so much from you! Your teaching and explanations are on point.
A true master of his craft. Love watching a professional at work. Thank you
been doing this all. my life and am 56 and I use same method. for years as I learned after it was faster less tiring to make parts fit when done this way it always fits no stress. and fast, nice to see you go hard , you stay safe!!!!!!!
This is the difference between a hack and a professional... thanks for showing your mastery
Thanks for sharing your great craftsmanship, I especially like your tip about building up corners from behind ( Ive learned the hard way on that one) also,how you stress the importance of just " getting the planes first".God bless.
Yay I found Datsun Z video #2....just discovered you worked on a Z.
The two I have are SO much rustier. But like you I've got a Black Belt in fabricating parts.
You have some different Idea's .So I love to see your approaches.
the only other videos on this on YT are all about dollying and hammering these types of panels, £100,000 car stuff. A beginner would be there a month trying to hammer that. This is just good practical technique for a typical restoration i think! another great video from Fitzee
Thanks Fitzie, so glad I’ve found your channel all the way from down here in Australia. I’m about to begin working in an old v8 Ford I’ve had for 20 years and you are giving me great motivation and some fantastic tips. Keep up the good work.
Man thank you I’ve always dreaded rust repair and patch panel fitment you make it so simple now and prove you only need a few basic tools thank you
The ONLY other man I've seen cut the angle grinder guard down for more usable access. All mine are cut back. Works a treat. First thing I do to a new grinder. (I go through a few)
And you are correct, too many people cutting without guards. Stupid, scarey, dangerous stuff.
You are a genius! I can’t believe how good you are at body work. I want to get half way decent at this stuff. It just can not afford to have other people do the work I need. But i am so excited to do myself! Thanks for all the help you give everybody.👍
Beautiful patch nice work Thanks for sharing Dale
I can't stop watching your videos, the way you connect through these videos is amazing brother, you would make an awesome teacher, the amount of passion and love you have for your skills shows in the way you explain your methods, I really appreciate your time to make these videos, I inspire to become a panel smith like you brother.
Great talent and video! We are working on a 1969 buick wildcat.RUSTY!! Rear quarter panels are gone. Previous person wrapped the panels with aluminum flashing and heeps of body filler.Nobody makes the replacement parts we need so we built them all from sheet metal. It is a great feeling making parts from scratch that look OEM.
I restored a 240 a few years back. We did a lot of custom mods where we made it look like a 1963 Ferrari GTO. On a quiet night, you can hear a 240 rust!
I remember the old 70's joke of "What would you do if the four minute warning sounds"?
"Buy a Japanese car and, watch it rust"!
I bought a 72 Datsun 510 new and after one year, I found heavy cancer around the taillight panel just below the taillight lenses. I was told that these cars were secured to the weather-decks of the ships that brought them over from Japan. No covers, no nothing protecting them from the salt environment. Go figure.
@@williamcharles9480 That wouldn't surprise me and it would explain a lot.
True gold. The funny thing is .. after watching it, it's all so obvious. I think the problem is, that for those of us still diddling in the art .. cab corners, or floor patches on junk we're just trying to safety and such .. we've never quite grown the balls to cut into something that we consider valuable with abandon.
Interestingly, I recently dd an almost identical repair on a late 90's Dodge van. It really did come out nice enough, but I now see where I did it wrong, and how I beat myself up trying to form (in one piece on the van) what I could have welded in more than one piece (on the bench) - and your way would have been faster!
I really can't wait to put these tips to practice!
Sir would not make a good politician!
You have nothing to hide, you tell the truth plus you are too honest and use common sense doing your work!
Excellent sheet metal practice for a complex part. I am doing my sons 84 ElCamino with the same procedure...now! I to like to seal the backside also. I am lucky to have a metal pressure pot with 7 different hose ends that allow an application of yellowish waxy rust proofing material. I have fixed doors that had no drain holes included after someone welded it only two years earlier. It had 5 gallons of water inside it.
ASE Master Tech since 1978 - Retired
I am actually in the process of doing this on a 64 ford pickup around the windshield thanks to fitz im doing it myself saving a lot of money love his videos
Wow, I have watched two of your videos and learned so much. This one will be invaluable when I go to repair the dog legs on my 57 Chev 4 dr since no one makes those for a 4 dr.. Awesome job Fitzee from Fitz!
Fitz could find ya . Glad i did . Just had my 92 bmw convertible rear fender welded rather than bondoed thanks to watching your videos! Now im goin to hav them put it up on the hoist to see if they knew what their doin ! Love watching n learning ! Thanks !
Nice work. I have been a mechanic for 38 years and have just now got into restoring pre 72 muscle cars. I am working on a 68 GTO clone as we speak. I'm thinking about just returning it to just a high performance Lemans. I have a nice engine in it,suspension work and more. I did find a heavily bondoed rt q panel that wes installed a long time ago and I need to make a piece of the fender well at the bottom where it meets the trunk.I tried my hand at some lead work yesterday and after I got the hang of it, it went great.
The kid who i got it from was trying to make it into a GTO, so it has a GTO interior w/ a his and hers shift, bucket seats out of an Isuzu trooper that are real comfy.. I built a 75 400 , .060 over so its a 409 cid now and a few other goodies. and a turbo 400 and 2.56 gears. it will still run high 13;s and has a theoretical top end of 160. I had it to 145 so far, need more suspension work.
Thanks for the info.
You have the patience and calm persona of The Friendly Giant... Although 'Rusty'is present ...it takes on a whole different entity. Thanks for sharing. Good health and long life to you anf yours.
you all prolly dont care but does anybody know of a trick to log back into an instagram account..?
I was stupid forgot my password. I would love any tips you can give me.
@Connor Rohan Instablaster :)
@Byron Hugo i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm trying it out atm.
Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Byron Hugo It did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thanks so much, you really help me out !
@Connor Rohan glad I could help :D
Aw! This will help me a bunch, shortly! Doing some small repairs and maintainance on my old Volvo, a car my grandad bought new many years ago and my daughter wants when she starts driving in ten years. Almost no rust on it, but a few spots. And of course they are in very tricky places, like under the plastic battery tray, were water has been standing unnoticed, towards the inner wheel well. Now I feel alot more confident in tackeling those spots! Brilliant! 👍👍
Wow I need to go do some actual work but I am struggling from keeping myself from watching all your videos! I like that you don't just work on American stuff or Japanese stuff. You do it right and love doing it no matter what the make!
Very nice work. I am just a DYI person I have a 2000 Dodge ram 1500 that has quite a bit of rust in spots. It's basically just a weekend home depot or going camping my plow truck for around the house. I think I will use some of these techniques to make it look nicer. Thanks so much for your videos you do great work.
Nice job Fitzee. Soon as you started talking I knew you were a Newfoundlander. I'm in Alberta. There are lot's of your buddies around here. I have done some of the metal work you are doing but I am going to learn a lot from your channel. I will be starting a restoration on a 1977 Special Edition Y82 400 4 speed Trans AM with Hurst Hatch's after I finish the 79 I'm working on now. Will have to do some rust repair in the exact place you just did in this video. Subscribed now. Keep em coming my friend!
Awesome !!! After watching channels with moulding and shaping and stretching & fitting , This is awesome. No bullshit , just straightforward & simple for simple guys like me 🤪 Thank you !
You're fabricating of panels is awesome can't say enough about them always looking forward to your next video thumbs 👍
Great job TEACHER!! I have never touched bodywork😢 but my son has rust behind the rear wheels on his 02 corolla...and he and I will tackle it! Thanks for the ambition and knowledge! ❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
My man Fitzee makes it seem way too simple and easy, but it isn't! It takes years to figure out the process of what to do first, middle, and last to make the job easier, and good!
Awesome process and not only beautifully demonstrated but also explained.
Your workmanship is amazing.
Dude you rule. I wish I had found your channel 6 months ago.
Thanks Fitzee, you are a knowledgable man. Thank you for sharing your techniques
You do amazing work man, just bought a welder so I can learn & fix my classic car.
I have been welding and fabricating for nearly 10yrs now and always learn new things your content is great, I was very happy with the butt welding you shown us on the truck body with fuel filler cover and will now use the 45 degree angle cut myself rather than cutting flat with the disk. I also have to fit a fuel flap on a project thanks for the info
I want you to work on my 1967 Econoline Pickup. Wow, I purchased it with some bad repairs on the Door hinges so it doesn't quite line up correctly but man you do great work. If your not near me I'm definitely going to try it myself.
Hello from USA, I've got my 2002 Avalanche body off the chassis for a complete restoration, new fenders, inner & outer rockers, dog legs, quarter bottoms, fuel door opening was rotted out, had to fab it in, cargo bed under bracing needed repair, also mid gate frame and back seat floor needed fab repair, using similar methods as this video.
New GM replacement frame too, complete rebuilt rolling chassis ready to go under the body when finished. Been using Eastwood Platinum Encapsulator to coat rust repairs, good stuff, makes an excellent frame paint, (I stripped all the OEM wax off) the product MUST be scuff sanded before topcoating, it's literally solvent proof in about an hour, anything that needs to be cleaned of it better be hit with acetone before it cures or it'll just have to wear off.
ALSO, wear good eye protection at all times! I have "Fectoggles" or face shield on whenever grinding, but doggone-it, I somehow last month got a speck embedded in my eye! It's been over 20 years since my last one, and when you get one of these it has to be picked out with a needle, so I had to see a DR at the ER, and my insurance isn't as good these days so it cost me $1980 out of pocket. Don't let this happen to you. I'm wearing goggles all times now, not just grinding, I need to put a few years behind me before the next ER visit.
Brilliant, really enjoying your videos!Best wishes from Wales, UK.
The East Coasters have such a simple way of explaining things God love em thank you sir is a good video
Well said Good sir!
I currently have my Ram in my shop trying to fix some bad rust holes. This is very helpful.
Thank you!
Ram Truck.... (snort)...
My 6000 pound truck has 1000 pounds of rust.
Good thing I found Fitzee...
Just stumbled onto this video, great channel! Lots of talent! As soon as you said "I'm happy where its to" @ 5:45, it confirmed to me that you're from The Rock!
Your the man mister……! I loved that. Going to do my front rear qtr panels for my 1960 biscayne. Thank you
Fitzee's Fabrication ..... Gentleman, Thank you so much, learning - as you doing
You are *genius, magic as you form metal. . Now it make easier my decision
buying a classic car near same condition. So I did follow you *Lectures. several
times for my project.
Wishing You Health and Luck, God bless Amerika,
Greetings from Germany.
Really good work.It's amazing how you can take pretty much nothing and make a beautiful piece out of it. Metal fab is an art no matter what anyone says. You're a fine fab man.
I can't afford to pay a body shop do my work. Had to learn, still learning more and more about body work. Welding is my big down fall, just can't get the sizzle and not using flux core. But so far stuff is holding together and no light shines through. Thank you sir. I started building out panels of a need of necessity.
Are you sure polarity is correct for your welder, remember if the machine was setup for flux core I believe the cables inside need to be reversed, just a thought.
Oh, and do not have magnets around or behind the weld process, it pops and spits, as I learned first hand. I thought something was wrong with machine.
Great videos, great tips, great explanations. You should have your own tv show.
Factor in the time it takes to get to this level of skill.
Great Craftsman and Teacher.... I just came across your Web site and must say you one heck of a Bodyman who really simplifies how to repair and fabricate using the most simple tools and the results are amazing. I’m new to the body and fender repair trade and have yet to learn so much from anyone else. Keep up the videos and you are appreciated and I’m really looking forward to more of your skills. 🇺🇸
Fritzee, Thanks 🙏 for the best video in the world of how to refurbish the dog leg of a Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z or S30 Zed Beautifully Brilliant!
Cheers from America
Kevin
I worked on the ROCK back in the 70's.
No loud music in background and not selling stuff I sub'd right away!
Looking forward to apply your techniques to the same area on my own Z, very educational! I was dreading doing this section but now that I have a clear how-to guide I have much more confidence that I can handle the repair. 👍