232 replies to this topic

[lucas1amps]

it was rear heel board repair panels from MINI R US what i thought they were supplied by magnum there is no stickers on the panels to say they are metric i dident fit the drivers side one i had a look at it at work apparently a lot of panel manufactures use metric captive nuts now because its a lot cheaper to produce would of been nice if they put a sticker on it to tell you this, of course those who are experience enough like  yourself most likely can tell the difference between the two threads by looking at them. i have fitted loads of front panels what are clearly labelled M8 why should these heel board panels be any different.

[lucas1amps]

so after many many many months of the car doing sweet fa apart from being moved around a lot ........................................................... nothing has changed apart from a subframe jig has been constructed and a tube subframe being manufactured on it over Christmas exciting updates soon. i hoping this frame will be lighter, stronger and better looking than allspeeds offering as well as considerably cheaper  but time will tell...............

 

merry Christmas everyone hopefully big update in january 2015 for now i got a 1986 metro to attend to and get Pickuptruck1994 1959 racer to the autosport show fingers cross! one day i will get this car done i promise! 

 

cheers Lucas 

[miniobsessed]

Great work. Looking forward to the update!

[cb500t]

Mighty interested if subframes are to be produced...brilliant read this,love it !

[lucas1amps]

plan is to produce the frames to order depending on the cost and effectiveness of the first prototype as soon as there is a development i will share pictures anyone interested in a subframe out of interest let me know so we can get a idea of potential market for the frame. Heres a picture of the car as its sat at the moment the frame in it was the first frame i made for a mock up it will go to the dump once the new one is complete   cheers luke 

 

[lucas1amps]

happy new year! couple of cheeky pics of the jig and frame

[lucas1amps]

frame is well on the way to being produced i can confirm copies of frame will be available to buy later on in the year once mine (001) has been completed for similar if not cheaper than allspeeds frame bonus being this frame will use standard mini arms not silly bent arms at £285+vat at set why re-invent the wheel if anyone has serious interest do get in touch. the frames would work on a exchange basis I.e we need a good standard front frame to begin with to modify on the jig

 

updates hopefully next week its tube bending time!

 

regards luke  

[slack]

I'm interested. When you have the price for this tell me something. Do you sell also the driveshafts?

 

Thank you

[lucas1amps]

yes we can do the shafts as well 

[slack]

yes we can do the shafts as well 

 

Nice, when you have something please send me a message.

 

Thank you

[Ben_O]

Looking forward to seeing the frame take shape. The jig seems to be doing it's job well!

 

Ben

[Artstu]

You need to get those top mounts integrated into the jig too, those rear legs are very flexible.

[l_jonez]

You need to get those top mounts integrated into the jig too, those rear legs are very flexible.

Got to agree with this, the towers will lean forward as soon as you cut the sides out of the frame

[lucas1amps]

You need to get those top mounts integrated into the jig too, those rear legs are very flexible.

under the frame theres two captive nuts with bolts sticking out of them. the bolts are the same height so the frame sits on them so we can gauge any distortion or twist in the frame. when the frame was cut the frame lifted under the left tower by around 2mm. once the tube is bent the frame will be pulled down on to the captive bolts to make sure both towers are level. only then it will be welded first tacked dry fitted then seam welded. the towers will be connected via a anti roll bar shaped tube. before any more cutting is done as well as a temporary reinforcement plate under the rear mounting legs. this frame is a prototype but still want it to be a perfect as possible looking for another front subframe to make two as we go along! 

[ibrooks]

It's not just twist you need to watch for - they are quite often under a little tension side-to-side and when you cut things it allows this to move the weaker remaining structure and the towers can move further apart or closer together so you need to hold them in place until you have replaced the metal you cut out and the frame will hold itself in shape again. The holding device needs to be integrated into the jig so that you don't end up with both towers moving by the same amount in one direction (taking the top arms with them).

 

Iain