'46 Chevy Shorty

[Tango]

The good news is...how often do the weather experts actually get it right? Best bet is to prepare for the worst, hope for the best and be ready for whatever happens.

Several years back Hurricane Rita was supposed to devastate Houston. People (mostly newcomers to the coast) panicked based on the models and all headed out of town at once. The result included massive traffic jams, stalled cars, hundreds of wrecks that stranded people on the highways for the duration of the storm, and a bus fire that killed more than a dozen disabled senior citizens.

The storm went way to east into Louisiana. I stayed put and we didn't even get a drizzle or wind over 15 mph.

[Tango]

Huz·zah! --- Well howdy folks. Yesterday I finally completed all the cement work on the giant bench I have been sculpting since June! No pix at the moment as it is still covered in wet blankets and plastic to keep it damp. I should be able to snap a few in a couple of days when I begin doing the color work. It now consists of about 6,500 pounds of various cement based media...all applied a handful at a time.

SO glad to be nearing the end on this project as I need to relocate my bus and shop within the next ten days or so. That will be yet another very physical task. But I must admit I am looking forward to having a much better working environment. Good thing, as I need to get rockin' on that little beastie and get it wrapped up and on the road before I am declared too damned old to drive it! Wish me luck.

ONWARD!

[cadillackid]

how cool!!! cant wait to see the pics of that bench!!

and i have to admit I really have missed seeing the progress on this Bus!!

I gotta get back to houston once you get moved and maybe try take-2 at getting some skoolies together to meet.. and i'd love to see the project / brainstorm with you on some HVAC for it..

-Christopher

[Tango]

Bring it Chris...I need all the help I can get in the A/C and electrical departments. And I am anxious to see more progress pix of the bus too!

If you head this way, shoot me a PM and I'll be happy to treat you to the nice, cold, adult beverage of your choice.

[Tango]

Remember that "Big Bench" project that has had me sidetracked for so long? Well...

...IT'S FINISHED!!!

6,500 pounds of cement based media applied one handful at a time takes up a fair amount of energy and calendar. I started this thing back in June and just finished it yesterday...at exactly 4PM. Course I did lose two weeks to an art teaching gig and almost a full month to the monsoon-like weather we had, but all in all, it went pretty well. A friend is putting together a start-to-finish slide show of photos he took along the way, but I don't have a copy yet. Meanwhile, back at the ranch house...here is what became of all that Portland cement...






There is a Flickr album on this critter here...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tango8...57669029087271


Maybe now I can get back to work on my Shorty. Well...after I spend a couple of days moving it and my shop to new digs anyway.

ONWARD!

[johnbloem1974]

Man, that turned out AWESOME! That's some impressive work.... now, back to work on the bus!

John

[cadillackid]

that thing is badass!! I didnt realize it was going to be formed, shaped, and sculpted!! what a great project!!!

no wonder it took so long to build!!
-Christopher

[Tango]

Thanks John...and Roger getting back to work. I am waaaayyy behind schedule.

[Tango]

Thanks Chris...yeah, it's all hand sculpted and does take a while to execute. Especially on something of this scale. (What was I thinking!?)

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by Tango

Thanks Chris...yeah, it's all hand sculpted and does take a while to execute. Especially on something of this scale. (What was I thinking!?)

ha! i asked myself that same question when I was driving to Houston to pick up a Second bus!

-Christopher

[ol trunt]

Oh boy. Back to work on the shorty! BTW, did anyone get hurt when that termite infested cement tree toppled over? Jack

[roach711]

Mad skills there buddy.

[Tango]

Thanks guys. I just mostly glad that it is done and I can get back to work on my bus.

And while termites have not been an issue, there have been reports of serious injuries to several woodpeckers.

[M1031A1]

WW!!!!! What a job well done!!! MOST impressive!!!!!

[cowlitzcoach]

WOW! Now that is some impressive handiwork.

My question is a little more practical. How are you going to move that to where it is supposed to live? At 6,500 lbs. it isn't as if you and a few friends are going to lift it up onto a trailer.

I am continually amazed by the creativity of you and the many others on this site that do things that I can not even imagine. My thinking tends to not go out of the box very far and my skill set doesn't provide the ability to do a lot of what you do.

I am glad there are so many other people that do so I can crib their ideas.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by cowlitzcoach

WOW! Now that is some impressive handiwork.

My question is a little more practical. How are you going to move that to where it is supposed to live? At 6,500 lbs. it isn't as if you and a few friends are going to lift it up onto a trailer.

I am continually amazed by the creativity of you and the many others on this site that do things that I can not even imagine. My thinking tends to not go out of the box very far and my skill set doesn't provide the ability to do a lot of what you do.

I am glad there are so many other people that do so I can crib their ideas.

Cowlitz - But you have a vast skill-set and experience in areas where many here dont.. thats what makes this forum beautiful...

-Christopher

[REDD]

Originally Posted by Tango

Remember that "Big Bench" project that has had me sidetracked for so long? Well...

...IT'S FINISHED!!!

6,500 pounds of cement based media applied one handful at a time takes up a fair amount of energy and calendar. I started this thing back in June and just finished it yesterday...at exactly 4PM. Course I did lose two weeks to an art teaching gig and almost a full month to the monsoon-like weather we had, but all in all, it went pretty well. A friend is putting together a start-to-finish slide show of photos he took along the way, but I don't have a copy yet. Meanwhile, back at the ranch house...here is what became of all that Portland cement...






There is a Flickr album on this critter here...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tango8...57669029087271


Maybe now I can get back to work on my Shorty. Well...after I spend a couple of days moving it and my shop to new digs anyway.

ONWARD!

Great lookin' piece Tango! Very impressive!

My wife wants one....so the next time you're cruzin' the Ontario Canada neighbourhood I'll show ya where she wants it

No racoon poppin' his head outta the stump?

[Tango]

Thanks to all for the kind words --- This piece was built on site and will stay right where it is. Maybe for several hundred years. The less than scenic backdrop at this little neighborhood bar (reHAB Bar on the Bayou) will get some cover via plants and maybe screening.

And I agree with Chris...Cowlitz and many others here have fantastic skill sets. Many of them hard earned I would guess. I am constantly amazed at what so many of the good folks here can and have accomplished. Talented bunch of people here for sure.

[JA Savage]

I would love to go to that bar someday an drink a few while sitting on that bench. Wow!

[2kool4skool]

Well done!