1006 replies to this topic

[benjy_18]

that looks really tidy graham!

I think im going to redo that bit on wednesday as mines a bit ugly and you make it look simple enough.

keep it up

Ben

[grahama]

Ben,

took me about 12 hours of swearing and cut fingers, so I wouldn't use 'you make it look simple' lol. Very rewarding though when done. Can you not dress your welds to make them look better rather than redoing them, this is what I am going to do on the rear closing plates. Will look through your thread again.

Graham

[benjy_18]

the welds themselves are fine, but im not amazingly happy with the way the panel has gone in. but as its not actually finished yet i may aswell restart it and do it properly

[minimuk]

famous flitch repair,...increadable precision job you did there, bet yr proud you did that looking back at it now.

Keep it going!!!

[grahama]

Yea, quite chuffed with it. It does look a little untidy as I don't grind my welds down fully so as not to weaken the welds themselves, therefore thay always show. There will be carpet over so not visible and plenty of underseal on the outside ones too. Was a puzzle but enjoyable

Graham

[MINI-TURBO]

it looks good mate, keep up the good work.

[MINI-TURBO]

it looks good mate, keep up the good work.

[nrwilliams]

Fantastic! Very nice work! )

[grahama]

Hi all,

last update for the week as work calls, b ut not had a bad run at it this few days off. Only a few bits done but here they are...







The top of the NS flitch was next on the adgenda. Some crappy metal above the air vent which is going and at the top of the A panel lip. Cut out as neat as I could and Blue Peter skills came out again in the form of another template.





The patch cut out, I had to make the lip for the A panel as the top of the lip is curved and couldn't bend it with my toolset. So made one and welded it on. Once fitted the radius worked out fine.





All welded up and some on the inside too as is the way I like to do it, right or wrong, sometimes there are poor penetration patches so I go over them, can't hurt !!







All dressed up and etched primed as usual. There was one bit from yesterday I didn't get round to and that was folding the flange over on the lower flitch patch.





A few belts with the persuader and it submitted and was plug welded to the inner patch. Also did a seam on the floor patch so done both sides too, dressed it all and beat the rain by 16 seconds !!!

All tucked up for a few days now, but seem to be on a bit of a roll now the complicated bits are done, feeling quite upbeat about it all at the moment.

Regards,

Graham

[minimuk]

nice finishing up there Graham, bet yr thinking on a next project by now, great work keep it going, don't forget to measure now and then

Edited by minimuk, 07 June 2011 - 06:29 PM.

[hughJ]

Graham that is fantastic fabrication and repairs to the flitch and floor. You are leaving me way behind. You seem to have natural skilled hands. I went for bought panels there! Oh the shame!!

Looking forward to the next instalment

Hugh

[grahama]

Hi,

next project will probably be another mini or maybe a bug if cheap enough, same for minis at the moment tho !! Can't stop looking all misty eyed at campervans though !

Hugh,

you have already done these bits, very well by the way, about even at the moment, back to the rear next to finish it off !! More fettling comming up.

Graham

[benjy_18]

hey graham,

managed to find some photos from when i started to rebuild the corner of the doorstep, its just missing the actual corner now which i shouldget today.
hope they help


this shows the bottom of the hinge panel


obviously all this was done before i put the flitch on.

good luck
Ben

[grahama]

Hi all,

Cheers Ben for the pics, got sorted in the end with various pics and info.

Anyhow, must be mad doing some work before nights, am knackered now, what with running inside every 1/2 hour with the flippin rain showers. Did a couple of important jobs though.







Decided to take the subframe strengthening plates off as not complete and I could see some rust around the edges. Looked at Hugh's work in this area and thought mine looked much better, not !!! Slight rust under the first plate but major rot on the underneath of the boot floor under the second.





Took a largish piece out to cut back to good metak but left the subframe mount in place as it was in excellent condition and didn't want to disturb positioning. Also took out down the side of the arch to be throurough and only a smidge of surface rust so will treat the rest of the seam along the arch bottom and make a boot floor patch. Thinking I may well go to the dark side and but a boot panel !!!



Something I have been advised to do is to extend my arches as I would not have anything to weld the boot floor panel to otherwise so here it is !!





The bottom of the quarter panel was a little thin, and holey on the NS so while I had access I cut back to good metal again and made a patch, trimmed, welded the corners up and fitted, not too bad.







Welded it in place with a seam at top and plugs front and rear. Will need to wait till my carbide burs arrive to finish these of properly, but ground down where I could. Inside revealed a pinhole, but the welder was already away and will do it next time if I remember !!

Not too much today,

Graham

[hughJ]

Not too much today!!! If I could get through what you do Graham I'd be delighted. Fantastic work. Leapfrogging me. I like the repair to the bottom rear quarter - I have to do a similar one.

Hugh