mumkin wrote:
Congratulations to the lovely couple!! I had rather lost track of exactly where you were and hadn't realized that you were a Scotsman till I saw the kilt.
One can only hope that any sons that you may have will want to learn the amazing skills that you and your dad have perfected. (somehow I don't see daughters getting into welding and working with steel, but one never knows I guess) :C
As always we look forward to your next update.
Heh, i keep saying to Jana that if we have a daughter she will defintly be into welding, she doesnt share my joy though.
Mini - November part 2
Thanks everyone for the kind words about the wedding, really appreciate it. Things seem to be going great with the whole marrige thing, im still allowed out to the garage anyway;) .
I started to rebuild the rear valance of the van with the pieces i had made/fixed. I tacked the actual valance onto the 3mm top plate and dished panels i had welded in place earlier.
Then i flipped the van on its side to put the back panel i had made in place.
My clamps werent quite long enough so i had to do a bit of an extension on them.
When that was all done i decided to test it by standing on it. Made me feel a bit like brunnel in that famous photograph of him with his top hat on standing infront of a big set of chains.
With it all tacked i started on the welding. Done the back panel first with some Mig plug welding.
Then i seam weld the valance to the top and sides.
And going over with the grinder and flap discs brings it up a treat.
I welded a couple of pieces in to join the door seal part with the 3mm plate to neating it up.
I hung the doors back on to re-check for clearances, everything was ok.
With that all done i realised that the rear and drivers side were pretty much done metal wise. It had all started to get a light coat of surface rust which would make things harder if i just left it. I bought some more of the same epoxy primer i used on the roof and decided to protect what ive done so far. Its a non-porous primer so it should protect it until ive finished the whole body and reach the finishing stages.
I started on the inside and rear valance. Any piece that is going to be hidden from view such as the rear of the valance is going to be painted in chassis paint. Its a lot tougher and harder on rust but that will be applied after the top coats of paint, much later.
Heres the inside, still had some paint to remove and light rust to contend with.
Half-way there
A nice shiney coat of primer!
Before and afters - I like doing this, gives me a sence of achievment.
Then the next day i decided to do the outside. Looking pretty down-trodding here.
Using the poly-abrasive disks and wire wheels got it back to shiney.
I know it looks exactly like the previous photo but this is another step i do. I bought some "phoskleen" its called, basically its an acid that etches the surface and also neautralisis any light rust pits. It turns the metal a slight bluey yellow.
Then the coat of primer.
Its good to see everything i have done so far in one colour, it all 'flows' really well now.
Now that all my work is protected i will make a start on the drivers side of the front cab. I still have the passangers side of the van to do but this should break it up a bit.
Cheers
