Monday, November 10, 2008

SPEEDSTER NEWS

Roberts High School students are attending skills training workshops in preparation for the Model T-Speedster Program. Mentors from Northwest Vintage Car and Motorcycle Museum work with students to rebuild a fully functional 1920’s Model T-Speedster car.

Each student learns skills in auto body design and construction, woodworking, welding, and engine theory. In the first workshop, students built and painted six “Chassis Suspension Devices” (sawhorses) to support the cars during the initial rebuilding stages.

At the second workshop held at Gary’s Automotive in Keizer, students sandblasted, primed, and sanded the chassis, as featured in the this post's photos. Gary gave a brief talk on safety then gave a tour of his business.

Students worked on preparing two pick-up loads of Model – T parts. They "acid washed", sanded, and painted fenders, frames, rear-ends, and running boards. Special thanks to Jesus Pardo from the Digital Photography Dept. for taking pictures and Daniel Monroy for assisting with supervision.

On November 6th the Speedster Workshop was held at mentor Bert Harrison's shop in southeast Salem. Students disassembling motor, rear end and wood spoke wheels.

Mentor Blair Wasson worked with students to completely disassembled a 1926 T engine and transmission encased in 80 years of dirt and baked grease. At the end of the workshop, the bare engine block was ready for machine work.

Mentors Doug Nelson and Bert Harrison (our "T" expert) assisted students disassembling five wood spoke wheels from their crusty hubs and rims using hand tools and a electric die grinder. Students cleaned up small parts in the sand blast cabinet, then painted each piece, and worked on disassembly of a steering column and rear end.

Mentor Ed Weber worked with students in removing the hand brake assembly from the Model T frame in preparation for body work. Ed and Bert were the roving tool guys and trouble shooters. Ed is always asking questions of the students about various components as a way of getting them involved.

Ken Logan, of Enterprise Co., transported the students from school and back. Our continued thanks to Enterprise for their sponsorship of the program.

The next workshop will be held at Jay Clark’s shop when Mike Schalg will work with the guys on forming and cutting sheet metal for the bucket seats.

Once again, special thanks to our growing list of Speedster Program supporters, sponsors, and mentors!

· Ted Dodge – Program supplies and materials
· Airgas – Gases, Welding, and Safety Products
· Enterprise Rent-A-Car – Donating transportation
· Ken Login – Enterprise Driver
· Aramark – Uniform Services
· Doug Nelson – Mentor Coordinator
· Bert Harrison - Mentor
· Don Blain - Mentor
· Larry Epping – Financial Support
· Gary’s Automotive – Sandblasting
· Northwest Vintage Car & Motorcycle Museum staff
· Mike Schalg – River City Machinery
· Jay Clark - mentor

























1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Looks like a fun project....even starting off with the “Chassis Suspension Devices.” Looking forward to seeing the progress pictures.
dds