8 replies to this topic

[DeadBert]

Hi

My car needs a bit of overdue attention. The following work needs to be completed:

Both wings
Front panel
Both A panels
Scuttle
Both doors
Top dash rail
Inner sills
Outer sills
Door steps
Any other bits and pieces that are found on the way!

I have all the panels (genuine Heritage) that I need along with a bit of money I've put aside for the work (about £1200 so far but still saving, this wouldn't be to cover painting, just the bodywork).

I'm now toying with the idea of rather than paying a man (or woman!) to do the work for me but to take the plunge and do it myself.

I've already stripped the car down to a bare shell, have some (limited) experience of getting my hands dirty with the car and am keen to learn. I have no rush to get the car back on the road.

Would this amount of work be conceivable for a complete amateur to tackle? I have no experience of welding at all. It's inspiring reading the projects section and seeing others that have learned as they've been going, but I don't want to start something then realise I can't complete it and expect someone to finish what I've started.

Any ideas, tips, suggestions, motivation that anyone who has been in a similar situation can offer?

Is welding on a Mini hugely difficult or with the right attitude and tools would it be feasible for me to take on this project?

Any advice would be great.

Thanks

Chris

[CLM]

It's a good learning experience and you will feel proud knowing you did it yourself. Before you weld on the car, practice practice practice and try to get a feel for it. And, work on one area at a time and you will be fine :)

Chris

[sonikk4]

It looks and sounds daunting but providing you do practise your welding prior to starting then you should be ok.

Have a look at this to give you an idea about tools you will need and some welding techniques.
http://www.theminifo...se-for-welding/

Plan what you are going to do, carefully strip your car and bag/label everything that comes off. Either remove all of the vehicle glass or make sure you protect it to prevent welding splatter and grinding dust damage.

For the amount of work you are looking at will probably cost in excess of £2000 in welding labour alone and maybe more. With Mini's there is always something hiding which drives up the cost.

Good luck with it and don't be frightened to ask questions no matter how daft they may seem.

And just as a little something Scott bought Erm basically needing some minor work for MOT!! NOT IN A MILLION YEARS and it was bodged from here to eternity. It took me two years to get the shell to a good enough standard that i was confident that Scott would be safe in. On him the roof was the only panel that i did not weld. I learnt a lot from working on him and gained a lot of tips off the forum as well. DO NOT RUSH.

[scubalegg]

When I got my car I thought it wasnt to bad may need patch in the boot and carpet set job done... how I was wrong turns out scuttle, top dash, front outer and inner wings, floor, boot floor and bulk head showing alot of surface rust... before I started I never worked on a car before and took it to the garage to change break pads... now im doung a full rebuild and self tought myself by reading up on stuff many hours reading other peoples builds and practice welding for a few days.

As said before practice + education = nice little project

Hope it goes well for you

Darren

[DeadBert]

So how did you all practice? Get some steel of the same thickness, clamp pieces together and try welding together? Rinse and repeat until you start getting some good welds?

Also, any reading that you recommend? I've had a good look through http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/. Any other sites or books you can recommend? I've also been following The Mini Magazine "Learn how to Weld" feature they've been doing lately.

It's very tempting. I like the idea of the "Built not bought" ethos. Just lacking a bit of confidence at the moment!

Chris

[scubalegg]

Ive read every page on that mig website more times then I can remember, I practiced on the panels I cut off... because I plan on a cf front flip the front end was the 1st thing off then practiced welding them together as itsthe same thickness

[Nikral]

i was in the same predicament as you a couple of years ago, but with a lot of advice from this forum i achieved a lot, from replacing the complete front end to welding in repair panels for the boot,rear hinge panel and valance. Get yourself what ever books have been written and start reading on the subject, get yourself a mig gas welder ( have a Clarke 135turbo) and practice on the wings you will be cutting off, just don't be put off by problems as all of them can be solved.

[Tamworthbay]

One tip - do one bit at a time, don't be tempted to cut all the grot out at once or it may get a bit wobbly!

[tiger99]

Let us get one thing straight. If you have a steady hand, and can follow some fairly simple instructions, you CAN learn to weld. Most people can, but not many actually do. So that will not be a problem. But practice, practice, practice.....

There is a Haynes book which you may find useful, but I see you have already been to the mig welding forum, which I would also recommend.

Finally, get proper 95% argon gas, it is very much easier for beginners than CO2, in fact it is very much better for experts too, as the welds will be better. Avoid gasless, and disposable bottles. One gives third-rate, messy, dirty, ugly welds, the other drains your bank balance at an alarming rate,

And, people are saying that currently the Clarke 135TE is the welder to get. I may follow that advice myself, as my old one is broken, and I don't yet know if it can be repaired. In my opinion, the most important thing is the wire feed, if it is sticky or jerky you don't get an even weld.