1146 replies to this topic

[deebo]

sonikk4 thanks man, i thought my version sounded crazy!

Hugh, it looks the mutts nuts! your welds look good and once its painted you should'nt notice any tiny imperfections that bother you now. it depends on what you want to do, go to how you want it, or to factory spec. i plan on mine being my ideal mini, as i have neither funds, pateince or knowledge make it show perfect. still though, well done man!

[hughJ]

Brams96 thanks for the reply. I am using a flap disc but how course it is I can't remember. Certainly flies through steel in my hands! Scott and minimuk I can't tell you how good it is to know you use filler!! Sorry. Adam I have distorted it, but again will use filler to hide. Thanks for the kind comments. Graham I could be borrowing your bucket for the filler! Clovus - these are generous words - I do appreciate. Neil positive comment from you is worth a lot!! Your bonnet repair was just so good. Thanks racingenglishcars. I will try and get better photos sometime - taken in daylight. Thanks deebo I'm looking forward to forgetting the 'imperfections'!

Saturday was just so nice up here my brother and I went off on our bikes. If you want to see you can look here http://www.hferrier....lach_na_ba.html

Tonight I just repaired the rear corner





But I'm still not there. I think I am going to have to slit the front of the bonnet!! To bring this awful bit up. Either that or its a huge thickness of filler



Spent ages bending and trying to shape to get over this.

Getting a wee bit sick of this Mini front.

Creeping along

Hugh

[grahama]

Hi Hugh,

first of all, nice repair on the corner, neat and nearly invisible, my bucket of filler wont be needed on that bit lol. on the front, is the rubber on the front lip, it may well bring it up a little ?? Also have you thought about bringing up the slam panel on the front panel instead of hacking at the curve in the bonnet ??

Not sure how easy this would be, or if it could bring the bonnet up to meet the wings properly, but worth a look ?? Could make for easier welding !!

Graham

[minimuk]

Hugh ,yr welding and grinding looking good, and Grahams filler only a little needed by the looks of it. you made the most of having a grand Weekend with yr bro. those pictures of the only wildernis in europe are ace thatnk you for sharing those. And you the stillness and peace is well deserved, after mind battling grinding days, I am sure your journey will give you positive energy to carry on with your mini quest.

Carry on, your doing great

[Deathrow]

Before you slit that Hugh, try kinking the the edge that runs 90 degrees to the top face of the bonnet on each side. This should make that curve more sharp and move the front of the bonnet down slightly, lifting it.

With the fact you've welded it though I'm not sure it will work. It's easy enough to straighten the lip if it doesn't though.

[miniBrain]

Great project Hugh - I'm watching closely 'cause I'm about to start fitting the front end too.

Loved the link to your motorbike outing - my favourite part of the world by far. I worked at Loch Kishorn once and stayed at the hotel in Achnasheen - one of the best jobs I ever had. Apart from that I've holidayed on Skye for many years - the scenery is breathtaking and the peace and quiet is sublime. Might tour the area in my Mini if I ever get it finished?!

[grahama]

Yea Hugh,

forgot to mention the moterbiking, very jealous !! Had to give my bike up a long time ago when Matt was born, cash and room !! Never did get another one, but Jan saw me looking the other day and said 'would you have another one' . What a silly question !!!

Did you look at the front panel / bonnet yet ??

Graham

[hughJ]

Thank you gents - Graham, minimuk, Deathrow and miniBrain. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos of my wee trip. A wee motorbike trip is a lot more fun than welding and grinding!! I am blessed living up here, until I have to pay the surcharge for delivery by a carrier when as I have an IV postcode! You're right miniBrain - the Bealach na Ba would be a great one for the Mini. Hope it won't overheat! Graham I did go out tonight and tried more bending and hammering but I think its going to take some welding. I'm so so jealous of you as you can make out on your own page. You've done an amazing job of the front. I gave up tonight and ground welds. No photos, nothing interesting.

Hugh

[deebo]

that looks like fantastic country to ride or drive in! jelous much lol

[hughJ]

Hello deebo it was a great day. In fact so good I've been put clean off working on my car. A really lazy week and only got out again today to work on my Mini.

I at last did the plugs weld on the front panel - if you can call them welds at all. - some I had to chase quite a long way as the observant will notice!!









I had put doing them off as they are so hard to weld at. Unless I am comfortable my welding is a disaster. These were pretty poor welds.

I had found this a few weeks ago when sorting out the doors. Don't know how I missed it earlier. So I repaired it today.













And when I was removing the bitumen from the floor my screwdriver went through!! Why do they put these wretched plus in the floor? So cut out the wretched area - so difficult to get at - I cut it out from underneath, so not very pretty.





But welded it from the top. It was an incredibly awkward weld.





It means I have had to destroy the continuity of my painting and stonechipping underneath the car. Will redo it next week. I think the only welding left now is to my bonnet. It's still not great.

All in all quite an aggravating day

Grumbling along

Hugh

Edited by hughJ, 31 March 2012 - 07:07 PM.

[Andrew O]

Some excellent work there Hugh well done
The welds upon the front don't matter, as long as they do the job no ones going to see them
Keep it up

Andrew

[grahama]

Hugh,

as ever liking the work, but how dare you have fun in the sun this week, the mini needed you !!! Have you replaced all the floor plugs as I think there are about 10 of them and I decided to leave them. However I am rethinking about going back to sort them as you have done because they are always bugging me.

All but the bonnet hey ?? I have the strengtheners on the rear qtrs, the old wiper holes and maybe the floor plugs to do then it will be slopping paint on underneath like you. Oh yea and grinding the bonnet, not looking forward to that, or reskinning thedoors. By the sound of it I'm way off lol.

Keep plodding pal,

Graham

[CLM]

The troubles you are going through to get that front to fit is almost scary, props to you for fighting through and making it perfect! I don't look forward to doing the nose on my own mini(s)!

Chris

[minimuk]

I would not call that grumbling Hugh, all good from what I see,......

[davej]

Looking good Hugh, some really good fabrication there.

Keep it up

Dave