188 replies to this topic

[mk1leg]

hi..its come on realy well and the welding skills hat off to you stunning job.............

[Bean]

Ed - I hope you don't mind me asking, but where did you get the frame from? The 'mini spit' thing?

Am thinking about getting one/making one for the restoration of my '25

[Gazza211]

Hi Ed

Just read the whole thread, looks like you are doing a fantastic job, far more patience than i have got!! Looks like you have a good array of tools to help you.
I will definately return to read your progress, this should turn out to be a brilliant restoration.

Cheers Gaz

[edi57]

Ed - I hope you don't mind me asking, but where did you get the frame from? The 'mini spit' thing?

Am thinking about getting one/making one for the restoration of my '25

Bean,

The spit was from M-Machine. I was originally going to make one myself. But then I realised that the mounting plates do actually need to be made to a good degree of accuracy, especially if I don't want any damage to my mini. Also the frame is a really nice lightweight design but plenty sturdy enough.

I think the price was about £200 +vat. Well worth it if you just want to get on with a job without messing about. M-Machine also do mounting plates for Vans/Pickups/Estates etc so you can use them for all your Minis!

[edi57]

SATURDAY

I had the whole day free on Saturday, but somehow I managed to do virtually no work on the mini at all. I think I was just loving the sunny day!

All I did was drill four holes in the rear panel. They're for the boot board brackets. I took accurate measurements from the old panel, drilled the holes then painted to keep the rust off my new panel. One of the little holes is show below (unpainted).

Rubbish update!!

[edi57]

SUNDAY

A little bit more progress today.

I clamped the rear panel on and then scribed round it for some final trimming.




The panel took a bit more "fitting" than I was expecting. Dad kindly helped out to get the panel sitting spot on. After that it was a matter of getting some tacks in along the edges.






With the top tacked in I then clamped the seams ready for the spot welder.




A few spots just to hold things in place...



Annoyingly I was having trouble with fuses. Blowing a fuse in the house first and cutting off the sockets AND lights in the garage, sending me into total darkness with a heavy spotwelder in my hands! Then second time around just blowing the garage fuse for the sockets. The spot welder also gets really hot so I have to leave it to cool down after several spots.

I've got the other seam lightly spotted into place too. Hopefully I can get everything welded up properly and finished off with a few evenings during the week. If not then it'll be next Saturday.

Edited by edi57, 15 February 2009 - 10:07 PM.

[brad88]

coming on very well mate, its looking amazing! well done
brad

[beaubrad]

its looking better and better every time i see it ,keep it up edi mate
what you got left to do after the back panel??? brad

[edi57]

Thanks for the comments guys. I really appreciate them as always.

its looking better and better every time i see it ,keep it up edi mate
what you got left to do after the back panel??? brad

After the back panel I'll be working on the wheel arches. Hopefully that'll be a job for next weekend.

I only have one arch at the moment.. Moss still haven't sent me the other one

Ed

[emalee]

wicked update, i love when your updates come to see more of your amazing welding, and skill making the panels fit perfectly!!!

this is gonna be one brillient mini onces its finished

keep up all the hard work!!!!

[Radleigh]

You look quite young? Fair play... good work, keep it up

[Saxo-Fiesta-Mini]

good work likin the progress

[mighty mini jack]

Top work as usual fella, good luck with finishing the rear panle off i think its going to look great!

Cant wait to get to work on mine soon.

[poolmike]

I have a quick question. How long has the shell been bare? I am getting mine stripped soon and I will need a fair amount of time to do the repairs, and I do not want it to turn back to rust while I work on it.

Excellent work there! I can't wait to see the finished shell!

[edi57]

I think it's been almost one year exactly since the shell was stripped. It's been kept in our dry (but not heated) garage the whole time but still it has got surface rust where moisture can collect.

It doesn't really bother me if rust does form because the shell will be dipped again (then e-coated) when I have finished my work.