1146 replies to this topic

[hughJ]

Sean, Chris and jagman.2003 I don't think I would call it momentum. Thanks for the comments. This is all I did today - still took 2½ hours. I just work so slow and I'm not happy with the repair.

I had to weld on the flange as there was no way I could bend it out of 1 piece. There are clever people who could but I just don't know how.







Not happy with that welding at all

However the piece does have the correct profile - I could easily have botched that up



And doesn't look so awful when primed. When I put on sealer you'll hardly know it was there!!!



That's all

Botching along

Hugh

[CLM]

Good job on that closing panel Excellent work overall! Looks to be much more fun then scrapping a motorhome like I have been doing>.<

Chris

[grahama]

Hugh,

I too had problems welding in those corners on the closing panel. As you say, sealer will cover it up nicely. Nice work on the fabrication though, all in all a good repair and a nice fit to the quarter panel.

Do you not have to weld shut the bottom of the valance closing plates, where it meets the boot floor??

Graham

Edited by grahama, 21 July 2011 - 07:36 AM.

[hughJ]

Graham and Chris, thanks for the comments. Graham you are observant. I'm not going to weld the bottom, I'm just going to seal it.

I haven't really done much this week, but I've probably put in the biggest area of steel so far. I've done the rear quarter at last.

Wee bit of paint on the inside as I won't get to it easily once welded. You can get an idea now of my colour choice.



Panel drilled for plug welds and primed



And welded in







I have still to finish the rear corner and do the seam welds where it joins the roof pillars. I'll leave that till its the right way up, then it will be easier.

Here's a bit of info. Doing upside down plug welds is almost impossible. You generate great gloops of weld.

And my grinder has died. I knew it was ailing but it has finally had enough. I've ordered a new one, Ebay as usual. So it gives me a few days off. I'm so sorry!!!

Plugging on

Hugh

[grahama]

Hugh,

even through the haze of a french red I have my eye on you !!! Very changeable weather this year, could have saved a fortune and got that at home, but Jan would have divorced me !! Very nice work on the qtr panel though. I have burns on my left arm as I type due to upside down welding, I agree, bloody impossible !!

Looking forward to picking up my welder !

Graham

[minimuk]

Hugh, nice work there,... I assume you have taken measurements of the rear quarter windows before and after. Good progress for sure.

[CLM]

Beautiful job! you will be zooming along in it in no time flat! Got my fingers crossed on the condition of that wagon, wont know how it is until sometime next month. I have my fingers crossed it will make a better pup starting point then what I have now....

Chris

[darky32]

Great job as always Hugh .... and that colour looks loverly

Keep going as each part done is another step closer

Mark

[liam_italian]

Your doing an amazing job in this, im impressed by the amount of fabrication work you've put it.

Looking forward to seeing it completed now.

[izzy]

wowo i really like the quality of your work, keep up the good work.

[JonnyBMX]

[quote name='hughJ' date='May 2 2011, 07:19 PM' post='2118962']
Great to have the May day holiday. With the garden starting up and lots of other jobs it is getting hard to find the time. Thanks again for the comments - it really helps keep you going. So thanks jagman.2003, Deathrow, MINI-TURBO, Wayne, Graham, Neil, and JonnyBMX. It means an awful lot when you experienced guys think the work is OK.

thats no worries m8 sorry i aint had a look at this for a while been real busy at work! im by far expirienced though ahah! only 19 myself! but i do know ur welds have improved a great deal from the start... just outa interest what welder do u use? and wire size:)

great work m8 keep it up!

[hughJ]

Well been off it for a few days and not at all sorry! I went on my old XS650 down to Dumfries and Galloway doing 690 miles in two days, visiting an old pal. Then Anne and I went away a day for a walk so after being 29 years married I'm still in love! Come on stop being sloppy and get on with it!

Thank you for the positive comments. Graham you are always helpful, I do hope you have a great holiday. minimuk thanks, I tacked the retainer in position before I removed the old rear quarter so hopefully its all in the right position! Chris thanks again, hope you get the wagon as you want. Thanks Mark, liam_italian, izzy and JonnyBMX. Jonny I have a Clark MIG135TE in which I use 6mm wire. I am delighted with it. I have no other experience of MIG welders but this one has helped me learn and seems to work well.

I tackled repairing a bit more of the floor after people's comments when I put patches in the floor. There were still one or two pin holes showing after wire brushing. So cut out another big hole



And made a big patch



Tacked



Welded



Tidied



Sorry - not very clear photos.

I do enjoy welding in a bigger piece like this. But I still get bits where the weld did not close the gap, where there are tiny holes and I have to go back over with the welder. Maybe some day I'll crack doing it perfectly. I never thought at the start I would get this far!! I'm getting nearer getting the sill in. I've got to do something about the jacking point first.

Welding on

Hugh

[CLM]

Go Hugh Go!

Much envy to people who have the money for all the supplies needed to crack along at a decent pace

But one section fixed leads to another leads to smiling and waving at you as you drive by in it

Chris

[minimuk]

great job there Hugh, just a hint perhaps,..not saying it is wrong at all but,...I prefer my repair panels, especially the floor ones, to overlap by 10mm and weld both sides for extra strenght, maybe a thought i the future, you get my drift.

but carry on, you are doing good.

[Deathrow]

Everytime I look in here I wish I'd replaced my whole rear quaters! Oh well!

I think how you tackle repairs is down to personal preference. I prefer butt welding as it's more original and doesn't leave a "pocket" that could trap moisture.

Keep it up hugh!