2017 at the Hammond Barn

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

I have some pictures of the unique features of this cargo box. Assuming that the cargo box is original to the manufacture of the truck..... March 24th 1942..... it could be an early version..... yet to be refined or simplify for efficient production.

Now for the pics..

Regarding your question about the final fold going in on itself. Quite a puzzler. The only thing I can come up with is a solid bar inserted front to back and someone hammering the last bend into place.

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Bruce.

I believe that the time pressure on war time production would have eliminated most hand hammering. I believe that a flat die hydraulic press must have finished the last bend and quickly welded the boxed section shut...... that would partly explain the uneven bend radius reported by Jordan.

From what I have read on war time production, a lot of sub-assemblies were done in small shops pressed into war time production....... good being moved in large wooden bins or open top 45 gallon drums. Parts produced in large quantities by shops making only one or only a few sub components. Hooks for the tarps, hinge straps, pre bent partly welded fender well boxes, sub-assemblies of tail gates such as hooks, hinges, etc..... all to be joined (welded) together in a central plant. Spot welds were rarely dressed up like we would do today and unevenly spaced.

Very few small shops would have the means of doing the larger components like the head board of a cargo box or the long narrow drop sides of the cab 11/12 2B1 box.

Over time the design and assembly was modified to its most simple mode of manufacturing keeping in mind what could be done cheaply and as fast as possible.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

All true, but what amazes me (as someone who has spent a great deal of time re-making all this old stuff) is why me in my workshop with simple tools regularly finds simpler ways to make this stuff. Sometime re-producing the way they did it adds a whole new level of complication.

Originally Posted by Bob Carriere

Hi Bruce.

I believe that the time pressure on war time production would have eliminated most hand hammering. I believe that a flat die hydraulic press must have finished the last bend and quickly welded the boxed section shut...... that would partly explain the uneven bend radius reported by Jordan.

From what I have read on war time production, a lot of sub-assemblies were done in small shops pressed into war time production....... good being moved in large wooden bins or open top 45 gallon drums. Parts produced in large quantities by shops making only one or only a few sub components. Hooks for the tarps, hinge straps, pre bent partly welded fender well boxes, sub-assemblies of tail gates such as hooks, hinges, etc..... all to be joined (welded) together in a central plant. Spot welds were rarely dressed up like we would do today and unevenly spaced.

Very few small shops would have the means of doing the larger components like the head board of a cargo box or the long narrow drop sides of the cab 11/12 2B1 box.

Over time the design and assembly was modified to its most simple mode of manufacturing keeping in mind what could be done cheaply and as fast as possible.

[rob love]

Nice job on the door cut-out Bob. I had to cut several windows and doors in sea cans in Bosnia using oxy acetylene torches, and the warping was incredible.

[Bob Carriere]

Bruce
........" why me in my workshop with simple tools regularly finds simpler ways to make this stuff." 'cause your good!!!!!!

Rob ......... the plasma reduced the heat signature but nonetheless when the top and bottom cuts were done by hand there was the Odd Boing as some tension released...... and the cut out piece had a definite twist in it.

Not sure what kind of steel alloy they used when fabricating them but it is not easy stuff to weld with a Mig......almost like zinc coated angle iron used in hydro towers.

Cheers

[rob love]

They do seem to be an odd mix of metal. Whether that is the result of being made in Chine using recycled Hondas, or intentionally made that way to better resist saltwater is the question.

[Gordon Yeo]

I had the job to put a window in a sea can, for a neighbour, that is being used as a mechanical room at a grain elevator. There is a special alloy used in the construction that is corrosion resistant. I can't recall what it is called but there was a post on the unit saying to repair with the named metal. I used a angle grinder and disc to cut the opening and bolted a metal frame onto the side wall.

[Bob Carriere]

Door is finished..... now toooooo heavy for a one man install.... in fact I think we will use the bucket on the tractor to raise it in place and slip in the hinge pins.

Heavy door so we installed 5 HD hinge...... had a bucket full of them.

Frame is tacked in place and will need a continuous bead of weld to make sure it does not leak.

Art work below.....