1146 replies to this topic

[Deathrow]

Looking good Hugh! You've made that sill welding look much better than I managed on Elliot!

They'll both look factory with a good lick of underseal after though. Is that your plan or are you going for painted sills? I'm prefering the protection over form for Elliot I think.

Keep it up sir!

[grahama]

Hugh,

a lick of paint and all is looking good. You are comming along very nicely, but what you need to do now is bugger something up so I can catch up, lol. !! You must be very pleased with your work overall given the home staight looks to be comming into view now.

Keep it up.

Graham

[Zeemax Adventure]

Hugh, reading this you keep putting yourself down about your welding. Your welds are very neat indeed neater than some bodyshops may i add!!! and as long as they are strong enough to hold once ground down, thats all that matters. Your doing really well from the pictures, especially fabricating your own panels. Now thats one thing that does take a lot of patience and determinatation. So keep up the good work and keep up the motivation. The end of the welding tunnel is near for us both

[hughJ]

Deathrow, you are kind, but you put your sills on welding upsides down - I could never have done that! I was fortunate enough to be able to get it at a decent working position (in the flesh its not great). Graham thanks for your encouragement. Zeemax Adventure, kind words and encouragement. It does make a difference when people see your work and help you along with helpful comments. You do get discouraged rebuilding a Mini. The work here today took nearly 5 hours, and there's not really much to see.

I tackled the back edge of the heelboard and the bottom of the rear quarter on the driver's side.





So cut away the rot and made this fussy wee bit



And welded



And dressed up the weld



And the bottom corner at the front of the rear arch - I had ground too thin here!







Then made up a panel to repair the rear quarter. Did it in two pieces as I could never do the bend.









I didn't grind completely flush as I'm scared of losing the strength on this thin steel. I'll use a bit of filler to tidy it up later when I come to paint. I'll still have to get some of the welds finished when its the other way up. I can't weld upsides down!







It's not perfect but then I don't think any part of a Mini is. Maybe that's their charm. It's another wee bit further on.

Creeping along

Hugh

Edited by hughJ, 03 September 2011 - 07:24 PM.

[liam-ds]

looking spot on ,not be too long until the paint stage, ill be following keep the progress coming along

Liam

[minimuk]

getting there Hugh, you have more then passed the test,and you found your "own way" in welding..we can learn from you now....attention to detail and your passion show's in every piece. Well done. you must be planning your next project by now

[Deathrow]

You should see mine up close Hugh! Maybe one day you will!

Great work as always, a lovely repair on the bottom of that rear quater .

[grahama]

Lovely work Hugh,

did you just weld the quarter panel repair section from the one side?? Therefore the inside of the lip area is nice and sharp?? Can't quite tell from the pics, any chance of a closer look??

Graham

[hughJ]

Well, I'm becoming a swell head. Thank you - Liam, minimuk, Deathrow and Graham.

The first picture is for you, Graham. It's just welded from one side.



I just did a wee bit tonight - it all helps. To fill in this



So made up another tiny panel







I've covered in weld-through primer so might get in tomorrow. Just an hour in the garage, tonight. I'll not get much done this week. I've to put my wee daughter down to Edinburgh this weekend. She starts at Uny. The house is going to be awfully quiet. All my children will be away. Time just flashes by.

Inching along

Hugh

Edited by hughJ, 06 September 2011 - 07:39 PM.

[Carlos W]

Pop down to Kent Hugh, I'll let you do some welding on my mini whilst it's on the spit!

I wish I had your skill, patience and dedication!

[hughJ]

Carlos, that's very kind but if you only knew me! Just get stuck into yours. I really put mine up on the forum to force me to keep going. I think I would be doing a lot less otherwise.

I forgot to say minimuk - I'm not doing another Mini!!!! I don't know how you can face project Evy. My son gave me the wreckage of his Chinese scooter where most of the plastic panels are trashed. That's my next project - much easier!!

Just a wee bit more

Welded in last night's piece





Made this for the rear corner



Sorry for the fuzzy photos. The light is going now as the days get shorter and my camera struggles to focus in the gloom. This one shows it better



Maybe weld in tomorrow

That's all

Hugh

Edited by hughJ, 07 September 2011 - 07:52 PM.

[hughJ]

Every little helps - this is all I did tonight.







That's it till next week.

Inching along a little bit more

Hugh

[minimuk]

you deserve a rest,...all that rushing,....have a nice weekend in Edinburgh,.... the show must go on next week!!

[grahama]

Hugh,

another question pal!! Did you just use a grinder on the inside of the quarter panel repair as it it ground down much better than mine. I found I couldn't use a grinder in there. Have you been sneaking in new power tools??

Graham

[mini_hobnob]

Hi Hugh,

I've just read through this thread start to finish (I couldn't stop reading!), it's coming along really well. You are a real inspiration and have prompted me to buy a welder and take the plunge rather than pay over the odds for someone else to do it.

Also I read that you are a chemistry teacher, this made me happy as I am going into my second year of a chemistry degree!

Keep up the good work
Rob