Author Archives: RussD

How Much Does A “Free” Drill Press Cost?

Posted on November 27, 2021 by RussD

Searching Craigs List for a welding table a couple of years ago I stumbled across a triple drill press mounted on a heavy machine tool base. This machine tool base was 30″ x 60″, made of heavy steel (4″ thick … Continue reading →

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Steel This!

Posted on November 4, 2021 by RussD

Several workshop projects have been on hold due to the high price of steel. In late 2019 a 24′ piece of 1″ x 2″ 11 gauge steel tubing was $65. In early 2020 prices started climbing – today that same … Continue reading →

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ProShaper

Posted on October 5, 2021 by RussD

After fixing the latest electrical gremlin in Electrical 12: Dash It All! it was time for something completely different. I attended a four day intensive course on coachbuilding taught by Wray Schelin of ProShaper. What is coachbuilding, you ask? Good … Continue reading →

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Electrical 12: Dash It All!

Posted on September 28, 2021 by RussD

Previous: Electrical 11: Connections Evolved looked at tools, techniques and wiring for electrical. A few weeks ago I went to dinner in the Imperial. It was dark by the time we left, making this the first time to drive the … Continue reading →

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Electrical 11: Connections Evolved

Posted on September 20, 2021 by RussD

After (finally!) getting the alternator and voltage regulator straightened out in Electrical 10: 2 Bad let’s look at some of the tools and techniques used. My approach to making electrical connections has evolved significantly. This will be familiar to many … Continue reading →

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First Imperial Ice Cream Run!

Posted on September 5, 2021 by RussD

With First Cruise Night! under my belt it was time for the next adventure. One of the classic excuses for driving a classic car is to go get ice cream. Saturday (yesterday) was a beautiful day so she who must … Continue reading →

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First Cruise Night!

Posted on August 26, 2021 by RussD

Despite some of the issues covered in the previous article Electrical 10: 2 Bad the Imperial was drivable – so time to drive it! One of the reasons for getting the Imperial was to participate in car related events like … Continue reading →

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Electrical 10: 2 Bad

Posted on August 9, 2021 by RussD

In the last article Electrical 9: Up Gauging we largely finished upgrading the Imperial wiring. But the story wasn’t done. Bypassing the ammeter leaves no way to know the state of the charging system, so I planned to add a … Continue reading →

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Electrical 9: Up Gauging

Posted on August 9, 2021 by RussD

In Electrical 8: RTFL I fixed a stupid mistake in connecting the new wiring harness, allowing me to get back to things that actually improve the car. I’ve described how much of the original factory wiring is too small and … Continue reading →

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Electrical 8: RTFL

Posted on August 2, 2021 by RussD

After finishing the headlights in Electrical 7: Headlights it was time to track down why the heater blower motor wasn’t working. The symptom was a blown fuse as soon as I pressed any of the heater buttons. No power means … Continue reading →

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