5 replies to this topic

[Chipsnbeer]

Just to introduce myself. I'm Ash from Somerset. Finally got round to doing something about the mini van 1981.
Bought it from N.I. about 3 years ago and it's been locked away since. I took it for an mot when I took delivery just to see what was needed. Just a couple of outer sills and radius arm furbished.... However, after starting to these things ,bit by bit it was slowly disappearing into it plastic storage boxes.. well now what was a quick back on he road job has turned into a full rebuild.oh my god what have I done?. I've not attempted anything as big as this before. So,upwards and onwards, It's now something or bust. Thankfully I have all you peeps to draw wisdom from.

[bpirie1000]

Well done. There are a few van folks on here now keeping the number of the little varients up.

Just remember minis have feelings too, they do not like to hear swear words..

Can always come back to it tomorrow with fresh eyes...

[Minirook]

Ash,

 

Welcome to the club. If I was to impart any advice, it would be this. Take a slow methodical approach to your work. Try not to look at the big picture too often, sometimes it will feel like a daunting task, but at the end of the day, it is a series of small individual repairs that gets you to the finish line. 

 

What repair am about to do, what is the best approach, do I have the right tools for the job, execute the work. Some days will be filled with joy, others you will wonder why you chose to do this. More often than not my bad days occur because I didn't plan out the task well enough or I decided to work with the tools on hand instead of getting the right tool for the job.

 

Be patient, and have fun! 

 

[Homersimpson]

 

Ash,

 

Welcome to the club. If I was to impart any advice, it would be this. Take a slow methodical approach to your work. Try not to look at the big picture too often, sometimes it will feel like a daunting task, but at the end of the day, it is a series of small individual repairs that gets you to the finish line. 

 

What repair am about to do, what is the best approach, do I have the right tools for the job, execute the work. Some days will be filled with joy, others you will wonder why you chose to do this. More often than not my bad days occur because I didn't plan out the task well enough or I decided to work with the tools on hand instead of getting the right tool for the job.

 

Be patient, and have fun! 

 

This is exactly right, don't look at where you are now and then the end as it will be disheartening, set yourself reaslistic goals and aim for that, i've always found this approach works for me and I started restoring minis at 16 and in the 24 years since then I have done dozens of cars of all different types using the same approach.

 

If things don't go well stop and think about it, have a rest, post on here where lots of great people will offer advice and support.

 

Its a marathon not a sprint but the end result is great because when its finished you can look at it and say I did that and not many people can do that!

 

If there is something you aren't happy with or something goes wrong it doesn't matter anything can be fixed and you can always redo some items, you learn from your mistakes.

[Chipsnbeer]

Thanks for all the encouragement. As regards the swearing, too late!
I will go and apologise and make peace.
Still building a rotisserie. Bits Still coming off to make way.
Onward and upward.

[bpirie1000]

Swearing at the rottisserie build stage, only leads to a great project/build.

Your swear box then pays for more parts....