188 replies to this topic

[buddylove]

Nice work with the repair patches, don't know how you can make it any better then that.

[edi57]

Help me decide whether I should repair or replace my inner wing!

Poll

[edi57]

I managed to spend a few more hours on my mini today. This time taking a look at the area above the rear passenger window. It's an area that was heavily pitted, has lots of pin-prick holes and one bigger hole as you can see.

I marked it out ready for cutting with the air saw.




The cutting didn't take too long... but making sure I had smooth and straight edges is what took the time.




Cardboard is much easier to work with than steel, but don't worry... I am not fixing my mini with cardboard and selotape!




It's my template for my steel.




Nope, not a fancy graph... just a bit of marking ready for rough cutting with the guillotine.




Hey presto... nice straight edges.




With the curve cut out with some tin snips, and a fold put in the far edge it was time for offering up. Unfortunately my fold wasn't quite where I wanted it. This means I've got some further trimming to do from all the other edges.

That's all my work for today... expect another update in the next couple of days.

[mighty mini jack]

Nice fabricating skills there dude, what guilatine you got ?

[edi57]

Cheers mate. It's a 24inch guillotine/folder/roller from Chester UK Limited.

I'll dig out a few pics and post them.

Edited by edi57, 28 December 2008 - 10:12 PM.

[edi57]

In August I bought myself a late birthday present (that was my excuse).

It's a sheet metal cutting/bending/rolling machine from Chester UK Limited as recommended by shiftyseamus.

I've definitely found it worthwhile having. You can cut sheet and no time and get prefect bends. The kind of stuff that would have previously taken ages and I wouldn't have been happy with the end result.









I wasn't at home when it was delivered into the garage. I unpackaged it and was going to put it on a table in the corner of the garage. I was really quite upset when I realised that even with two of us, it was almost impossible to lift just an inch off the ground!

So, with the waste packaging, a couple of old scaffolding boards, some long bolts and some castors we made this dolly...









Nice and strong, stable enough and now I have a portable machine too.

[panelbeaterpeter]

Nice to see a job being done to the proper standard! Keep up the good work

[buddylove]

Nice machine, didn't know they had them that compact. Last couple I used were a lot bigger, but that one is perfect for diy home jobs.

[tomkidd]

Can I ask what type of cereal box you used for the template? Im planning on doing some repairs like this myself but want to make sure I am eating the correct cereal?

[edi57]

Thanks for all the great comments everyone. It really helps to keep me going... esp through this freezing weather!

tomkidd- It was a Shreddies box! Not only is it decent cardboard, the cereal means you can work longer without having to stop for a break to eat!

[edi57]

Ok, continuing my repair from the other day.

This is going soo well that I can hardly believe it. I definitely think this is the best repair I have made in my life (not that I've made all that many!).

I've spent the whole day on it (started at 10am, finished at 6:30pm. Had an hour for lunch and probably didn't work for another hour with various friends stopping by).

I still have to spot weld the seam and do a little more welding to the bottom and top edge of the seam. After I have done that, I will finish it off by hand using some emery paper... then job done!

Lightly tacked in...






For this repair I didn't weld the whole thing, then grind. I welded a little, ground that back as I wanted it... then carried on welding. It takes forever, but I can get a much much better finish like this.




Last bit of grinding to do...




Almost invisible!

Edited by edi57, 30 December 2008 - 07:43 PM.

[mighty mini jack]

Brilliant repair dude.

good work

[freaker]

hello,



youre doing a very good job
i'm stunned
now ive seen your cutting and bending machine i want one as well

freaker

[freaker]

wich one do you have from bending machine ? wich format ?

freaker

[edi57]

Cheers for the comments.

I've stunned myself with this repair! I'm so pleased with it that I just can't stop

Yeah that metal machine really helps a lot. It's also just fun to have something "industrial looking" sitting in the garage