625 replies to this topic

[rich2]

Thanks guys. And congrats on the 25 years Neil!

Just a quick update as I spent ages this weekend on the tedious and awkward job of welding in the heel board. After many hours of faff, I'm confident that its on and solid. A bigger C clamp would have made the job 10 times easier. Note to self: invest in correct tools for the job next time, moron.



I also put a bit more work into my home-made battery box. Its coming together quite well, but will still need a bit of fiddling to fit into the annoyingly curvy boot floor panel. The white stuff is POR15 metal ready as I'm going to paint the flaps before welding it all together (just to be super thorough).



I tried a quick test fitting of the boot floor and it looks good. Did an excited little dance in the garage to celebrate. Its almost starting to look like this car might return to
being in one piece eventually!

[Goacher65]

Odd question. Where do you get your POR-15 from? I am looking to get my subframes shot blasted so i can then paint them, and have been recommended it. Does it take a lot to cover an area or does it cover quite well? How much do you think I would need to paint a front and rear subframe. Do you use the metal ready etc as well?

[rich2]

I bought mine from frost.co.uk

Its not cheap but its pretty awesome stuff. Yes I use metal ready first. I think this is pretty important because it works as a kind of etch primer. They recommend you use their cleaner before that, but I skip that stage. The POR-15 goes on really thin, so it lasts quite well. I got 3 coats on the front and rear subframes out of 2 of those £20 tins with about half a tin to spare.

[skoughi]

Looking good, like how you've got everything so clean before you've started. Think i should have done the same! Makes thinks look not quite so bad! I agree with what you said about the tools, so many times i've wished that i'd bought a good range of vice clamps etc, instead of fighting on with the five that i have. You never seem to have enough or they're never the right size! Anyway keep it up, you're supplying me with tons of inspiration. ;o]

[Daviewonder]

Yeah I have to agree about the inspiration. I stumbled across this progress thread one Sunday whilst searching google for something unrelated. I read through it as I didn't have anything else going on. I was so impressed by the end of it I had decided that I needed a Mini Clubman project of my own.

I'm now the proud owner of a 1275 GT project

[Mini-Mad-Craig]

Cracking project and amazing fab skills. Keep it coming enjoyed following

[rich2]

Cheers guys!

Daviewonder: Really? Thats crazy! Have you got a rebuild thread? I hope for your sake your mini is in a better state than mine!


Right, so... I got the battery box welded together. So much graft for one little box that you hardly even see!




Welded into the boot floor skin. Quite pleased with the finished product given the awkward curves involved. (Self tapping plasterboard screws saved the day!)




Next up was this shocking collection of rusty boot fittings. I was hoping to rescue some of them, but all but one turned out to be No Bloody Good.




I cut the shapes out of sheet steel and after liberal application of the panel hammer, I had this little lot.




In the meantime, I had offered up the boot floor. Also bolted the boot lid back on to make sure nothing had moved. The corners of the floor aren't lining up perfectly at the moment, so some surgery might be required.




Inside the car, things look pretty sweet. I just need to replace the crusty lower edge of the bulkhead.




At this point, I'm copying the definitive resource on rear bulkhead repairs, page 4 of Project Erm! Cheers Neil! I've started by reconstructing the middle bit to fit the contours of the new rear squab panel.



Thats all for today. Hopefully I'll get back on this tomorrow!

[Boycie]

Lovely progress

[sonikk4]

Your welcome Rick, that's what the forum is all about and liking your fabrication of the bump stops and fuel tank bracket. It is pretty straight forward but common sense is needed. Its cool. I prefer to fabricate i must admit as it gives you a sense of satisfaction.

[hughJ]

Wow - a different league of fabrication!!! Great to see such amazing work. Keep informing us.

Hugh

[087dave]

Great work!

[Daviewonder]

Daviewonder: Really? Thats crazy! Have you got a rebuild thread? I hope for your sake your mini is in a better state than mine!

Totally true Mate. The next part's a bit crazier, I went into work on the monday and asked a random mate if he knew anyone selling a 1275GT. Amazingly he did!

The rest is history. The progress blog is in my signature

And yes so far it looks in slightly better nick than yours but who knows what horrors I will uncover.

[rich2]

Dave thats a cool little mini you've got!

Just a quickie today. I fitted up the rest of the bulkhead repair and tacked it all in place. Bosh.

[skoughi]

That new boot floor looks luverly! Wish i wasn't so tight with the cash and bought one, would have saved sooo much time! I use the self tapping screws as well, handy little things when it comes to awkward corners where clamps can't get in.

[grahama]

Excellent work, love the fabrication, soo neat and the gaps you get are bob on, unlike mine which need a little fettling to get sorted usually !!

Graham