filling in the trim holes.

jeffw · Post by **jeffw** » April 1, 2009, 4:54 pm

this is from hints and tricks...For those of you that are not putting the trim back on your truck, here's a way to fill in the 44 holes left behind. Take a 16d bright common nail and feed it through the hole from the inside and clamp some vise grips on the shaft. Using a mig on a low setting, weld in the hole and then just grind off the nail shaft and excess material. You need only minimal bondo/resin to fill in the pits and on the backside all you see is the flat round nail head. Good luck with your project!

Jesse
has anyone tries this??? if so any pros, cons?

Fordman · Post by **Fordman** » April 1, 2009, 6:20 pm

i've heard of guy doing similar thing to the old mirror bracket holes on there doors. some had used a washer over the nail before they put it in the door to make sure it would fit without pulling through the mirror bracket holes. i've seen hole that can be pretty large where a mirror used to be.

Slick Fan · Post by **Slick Fan** » April 1, 2009, 6:43 pm

That's a pretty good idea, I like it.

Gary Seymour · Post by **Gary Seymour** » April 1, 2009, 7:19 pm

That is a great idea for holes you can get to from the back side. I have some holes like this from some huge mirrors, and I don't think I'll be putting the hood spears back on. I'm going to try this tip.

ICEMAN6166 · Post by **ICEMAN6166** » April 1, 2009, 8:18 pm

for bigger holes i have logging spikes they are 3/8" diameter.

in2hotrods · Post by **in2hotrods** » April 1, 2009, 10:21 pm

This should be in the hints section!

36truck · Post by **36truck** » April 1, 2009, 10:46 pm

I just welded up a 1/2" dia. hole by cutting a piece of sheetmetal & drilling a small hole stuck a wire thru the hole feed it down the cab corner & welded it up.

kstones63 · Post by **kstones63** » April 1, 2009, 10:52 pm

On the small holes(up to 3/8") I clamped a flat piece of copper behind the hole and then welded it with a mig. The weld doesn't stick to the copper.
Kevin

Alan Mclennan · Post by **Alan Mclennan** » April 1, 2009, 10:53 pm

you could just hold a piece of copper behind the hole and weld the hole up!, with a mig that is!.

Oh and Brian, those logging spikes!, we call them Easter nails over here!

63BIGWINDOW · Post by **63BIGWINDOW** » April 2, 2009, 7:58 am

Thanks for posting the tip( no matter where you post it!),there are alot of guys here that can use tips like this.

jwh f-100 · Post by **jwh f-100** » April 2, 2009, 8:05 am

If you can't get to the back side to install the nail a screw can be used. The screw needs to be quite snug in the hole. Run the screw in half way, cut it off flush, weld, filler... wala

Post by **Greg D** » April 2, 2009, 10:28 am

kstones63 wrote:On the small holes(up to 3/8") I clamped a flat piece of copper behind the hole and then welded it with a mig. The weld doesn't stick to the copper.
Kevin

Eastwood sells a copper "spoon" which is the same thing with a handle on it just for this purpose. I was considering making my own with a magnet that holds it in place for you.

modeleh · Post by **modeleh** » April 2, 2009, 10:40 am

Just take a length of 3/8 copper tubing and hammer one end down flat for about 3-4 inches or so to make your own eastwood spoon and you'll have a handle as long as you want it to be.

The nail suggestion is a good idea.

jeffw · Post by **jeffw** » April 2, 2009, 5:19 pm

modeleh you are a friggin warrior poet!! I have copper like no other and would have never thought of that.. nice brain fart dude!! I'm goin to try that if the nail fails....

matt2491 · Post by **matt2491** » April 2, 2009, 6:43 pm

We just straight up weld the entire hole.

FORDification · Post by **FORDification** » April 2, 2009, 8:35 pm

For those of you who appreciate visual aids:

kstones63 · Post by **kstones63** » April 2, 2009, 10:32 pm

This is the copper spoon that I made. I used pop rivots to hold the handle on. It works well.

Kevin

FORDBOYpete · Post by **FORDBOYpete** » April 3, 2009, 11:00 am

Kevin,

I hadn't thought about putting a handle on my copper,
which I've been using for years & years.
Thanks for your graphic example there.

FWIW:
Another advantage of copper is it is an incredible Heat-Sink.
Those guys who taught me to use copper, did so to reduce
warpage, hydrogenation or crystallization from high heat
concentrations in small or other tight areas on sheet metal.

Copper also it works with TIG, Stick & with Oxy Acetelyne too.

FBp

wyatt · Post by **wyatt** » April 4, 2009, 7:11 am

I remember someone posting the nail trick years ago. It is a great idea. I say hooray for that person. Now it has resurfaced and spawned more great ideas. The screw trick is great too. If I remember correctly, I used that once or twice. It just goes to show brain storming from one subject will create even more great ideas. I never heard about the copper thing until now. I will give that a try the next time I do some welding. And the wire idea, Wow. Oh, Thanks for the pics. We all love pics.
Maybe someone should post something from hints and tricks every week just to fuel the fire. Then we'll see the ideas popping up. Call the thread "Brain Storming For Tips"
Geat work guys !!!
Wyatt

Max · Post by **Max** » April 4, 2009, 10:59 pm

Harbor Freight sells the copper spoons for under $10. Decent sized spoon area with a rubber handle. Bought me two and they work great!

Before, I was using a 1 foot piece of copper tubing that I flattened on one end. Still use it as you can mash and bend it to fit whatever tight spot you're trying to fill.