1693 replies to this topic

[SAL 821X]

Wow.... so it's been ages since my last update! reason for this is frankly not much has happened I blame this mostly down to the weather and women.

Haven't had mush time to get out in the garage and with the weather would rather stay inside where its dry and warm...

But having said that progress so far has seen a very large hole in the heel board after cutting the rust out above. I'm still yet to start on the other side but I think I'll do one side at a time.

Other than that I've got myself some sheet metal for repairing the front and rear doors. Cut out all the rot and made a start on making templates out of card. The sheets starting to look like a puzzle at the moment with all the pieces I've drawn on it to minimize wastage.

Spent an hour last night fiddling with my welder and the conclusion was........ I still can't weld that well.

Practising on the old back door skin playing around with the wire speeds. Towards the bottom didn't go so well as you can see near set myself light a few times.


Better towards the top think I hit the sweet spot.


Penetration.


Still lots to do...

[SAL 821X]

Well I might or might not have been to the pub after work for a cheeky jar in the sunshine. Then returned home to consider the best use of my slightly elebriated time was to have a crack at welding up the window seam on the rear door.

Cut the panel from my jigsaw puzzle of shapes for the holes I need to fill. A task in itself as I almost cut through a few templates.


Clamped in place.


First side didn't go so neatly as the other. Need to tidy it up a bit more and fill some gaps.


Other side went much better but still need to tidy it up a bit more.


All in all quite happy for my first effort, doesn't need to be anything special as you wont see it anyway.

[matthew25]

hi there what are you using to clean the welds up i've been using some tungsten carbide bits which are shaped to give a better more flush finish paid aboout £40 well worth the money. matt

[SAL 821X]

Thanks for the Idea Matt.

I will look into them as I've just been using a grinding disc and it's a right PITA to get into the corners.

Cheers,

Matt (also)

[SAL 821X]

In fact your a genius! I must have one in my dremel box somewhere.

[SAL 821X]

Finished off another small repair to one of the rear doors.



Getting the hang of this welding lark now.

Also made a start on replacing the edge on the front door.

[longbridge4life]

Brilliant job and coming together nicely by the look of it :)

[SAL 821X]

So I went in the garage last night for the first time in weeks.

Swept the floor and sat on my clarke stool looking at what's still left to do.

Sat there for 5 minutes then shut the garage door and went in and had a gin and a cry instead.....

Balls :-(

[daviedevil]

The gin is where your going wrong my friend. Vodka seems to be helping me start making big holes in my van. Just have a look at my build on the bodgit van it'll give you a chuckle. I'm about 15 litre bottles behind you lol.
Don't let it beat you crack on and give me something to keep hope

[Minidarren83]

You are doing a good job so far just keep cutting bits out and when you see how little there is left it should spur you on to put some back lol but seriously don't let it get you down

Darren

[orangeboy]

chin up mucca, your doing better than me

[mini danny]

Looking good and that's where you went wrung it not gin it jack daniels !!! but seriously keep up the hard work


Danny

[leadly]

Practice, practice, practice and your welding will get even better. Mine was very poor to start with but now I'm very pleased with it!

+ 1 for the tungsten carbide bits. Purchased a set a few weeks ago and they really are handy for getting into tight spaces.

Keep up the good work and don't let it get you down. it's ok to have a brake from it from time to time. It helps keep you sane!

[minimikej]

'If you're going through hell - keep going!'

- Winston Churchill

[SAL 821X]

Yes maybe this is my problem I've chosen the wrong drink... maybe absinthe might speed things along abit. ;O)

Hoping to get a good run at the doors next week. I think I'll feel better once they're etch primed.

Thanks for the encouragement though chaps.