19 replies to this topic

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi;

In an effort to maximize resources and stay ECO Friendly I have been contemplating finishing the remainder of the body work restoration on my sons Mini using (wherever possible) home made panels.

Whilst looking for tips and info I came across the following LINK

The post is long and absolutely brilliant if home grown flicks your switch, the post is on a site called Retro Rides and the author Oldbus is an absolute magician and hats off to him. The post is clearly popular as its had in excess of 43,000 views.

If you flick to page 8 there's an entry by oldskoollews showing how he made outersills for a Clubman Estate!! He was given the Retro Rides link from this web site so this has come up on Miniforums before but this may prove a useful reminder.

This has inspired me to have a go at making as many of my own panels and repair pieces as possible I think I already started a post in the rebuilds but if not I'll get one going so (if you want) you can follow my success or failure).

I'm off on a one day Mig Welding Course on Thu, too little too late!!!

[olds_kool_lews]

i loved making my own sills! glad you enjoyed the read, and glad its inspired you to have a go at making your own panels!

[grahama]

Hi,

I too have made my own panels. Get some sheet steel 1mm thick and start cutting. My sheet 2m x 1m cost about £40, and I have done inner sills, boot floor and lots of smaller pieces. The bending of the steel is the problem you will have in long lengths unless you have a bender. I haven't but there are plenty of engineering works out there who are only too happy to help you out, especially if you tip them !!!

I am a panel fabricator due to finding that the pattern panels just don't fit well enough and if I make them myself I know they will fit. However be aware that this could have a knock on effect if you then try to fit heritage panels to your own !!! my valance closers, bought, won't sit properly onto the boot floor so will need fettling !!

Minis are crud for things fitting first time anyway, and top gear, last week I think, showed minis on the production line being hit with a big hammer by a 'craftsman', so even original production had big tollerences, lol !!

Graham

[Bungle]

i made the new floor plan for the camper, battery trays and a few other bits








and new 1/4 light window frames

[leadly]

That thread on retro rides made a great read while the mrs was dragging me around meadowhall today!

[JonnyAlpha]

That thread on retro rides made a great read while the mrs was dragging me around meadowhall today!

Glad to be of help!!!

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi,

I too have made my own panels. Get some sheet steel 1mm thick and start cutting. My sheet 2m x 1m cost about £40, and I have done inner sills, boot floor and lots of smaller pieces.
The bending of the steel is the problem you will have in long lengths unless you have a bender. I haven't but there are plenty of engineering works out there who are only too happy to help you out, especially if you tip them !!!

Graham

Mmm sheet metal is expensive so I have been sourcing scrap such as old office cabinets etc, all 1mm ish mild steel so perfect for what I need and I have also been looking at benders or "brakes" as they appear to be called but buying one is expensive but did a search for "How to make a sheet metal bender" and found THIS little gem amongst others.

Looks quite easy to build (in a workshop) and effective for my needs. I could weld a piece of angle iron on the base so that it could be clamped into a vice?

Before I rush in a make one can anyone suggest a useful length for the brake, probably the widest item I assume I'd be bending would be a sill? If so how long are they?

Edited by JonnyAlpha, 04 July 2011 - 09:15 PM.

[olds_kool_lews]

probably the widest item I assume I'd be bending would be a sill? If so how long are they?

i just held my metal against my sill, marked out the vents and you can guess the rest, just use a tape measure mate and measure from 1 end to the other, sorted

[yousmeg]

There was a topic about a project over in india (i think!) about a guy who was making his own exterior body panels. Very cool

Ill just see if i can find it...

Edit - Here

Edited by yousmeg, 05 July 2011 - 02:29 AM.

[benjy_18]

WOW, thats it im not buying any more panels!

[1984mini25]

Back in my more skint days and fixing up the 25, I had to use what ever I could lay my hands on. So the patches in the boot, rear seat base and a few other areas are in fact what’s was left (the non-rotten bits) of the original doors that had to be replaced.

The same with the Mayfair project, some bits of that have been repaired with the old door skins. Plus a section of the 89 mayfairs bonnet is now part of a 66 elf’s inner wing and front floor pan.

I got a few old door skins and bonnets laying around, just for making up repair panels from.

[BMH]

[/quote]

Mmm sheet metal is expensive so I have been sourcing scrap such as old office cabinets etc, all 1mm ish mild steel so perfect for what I need [/quote]

The only problem with using old office cabinets and such like is that the metal is of very poor quality and is not that good for welding with, resulting in poor welds.

Bryan

[JonnyAlpha]

probably the widest item I assume I'd be bending would be a sill? If so how long are they?

i just held my metal against my sill, marked out the vents and you can guess the rest, just use a tape measure mate and measure from 1 end to the other, sorted

I would but my Mini is in Devon and I'm in Andover and I need the measurements up here this week (

[JonnyAlpha]

probably the widest item I assume I'd be bending would be a sill? If so how long are they?

i just held my metal against my sill, marked out the vents and you can guess the rest, just use a tape measure mate and measure from 1 end to the other, sorted

I would but my Mini is in Devon and I'm in Andover and I need the measurements up here this week (

To finish this thread off can anyone tell me how long a mini sill is, I have found someone that can make me a metal brake but I need to give him some dimension so I need to know how wide the widest piece i'd be bending which i'm guessing would be a sill.

I don't have a mini to hand so could someone help me out.

Ta

[skoughi]

Nipped out and measured mine at 1300mm at its longest part, i'd say make it at 1400 to give yourself a little more for the 90* turn up at both ends. I've been thinking myself about making one as well but will be making it a lot smaller, say about 750mm. Let us know how you get on.