51 replies to this topic

[construction.mini]

lol good work though dude, I def have a hard time, taking my time. I buy things because I am like I need this, then it turns out I need something else..

[mini93]

Excellent work as usual Tuppers, I find myself keeping an eye on the minitec projects when they appear
Just wish i could find the same patience with body work as you show

[steven]

lovely work !

[Tupers]

Excellent work Tupers

lovely work !

Got to admit I am starting to like the hornets more and more

Also lovely bit of work defo professional

Thanks guys, I think a spaceframe Hornet silhouette could be my next challenge.

lol good work though dude, I def have a hard time, taking my time. I buy things because I am like I need this, then it turns out I need something else..

I do the same with parts for my estate, at least I've got lots of shinny bits.

Excellent work as usual Tuppers, I find myself keeping an eye on the minitec projects when they appear
Just wish i could find the same patience with body work as you show

I've been following your rally car for a while, hopefully you can sort that dirty great hole on the floor soon.
I haven't always been quite so patient when it comes to metal work but they more you do the more you learn to relax.


As promised a picture of the door frame welded up.


I also finished off the repair sections for the rear quarter and got them welded on.


Welding a 60CM butt joint on a quarter isn't fun. Lots of stoping and starting placing tacks 1CM apart and then welding between them and it letting cool before you hit the next one.

[mini93]

Excellent work as usual Tuppers, I find myself keeping an eye on the minitec projects when they appear
Just wish i could find the same patience with body work as you show

I've been following your rally car for a while, hopefully you can sort that dirty great hole on the floor soon.
I haven't always been quite so patient when it comes to metal work but they more you do the more you learn to relax.

Haha, yes... the hole appears somewhat gigantic!!... but im sure you can see why I chopped it all out after seeing the section what was chopped out, little point it being a patch work quilt!

I dont mind the whole getting stuck into it kinda thing, but the stacking of hours on end simply chopping things out before even contemplating welding back in, it doesnt show as much progress... which means its not as rewarding... so i get bored and distracted by the internet as many yooths do.
Would help if i had access to the whole host of tools you appear to have available!

[Tupers]

I dont mind the whole getting stuck into it kinda thing, but the stacking of hours on end simply chopping things out before even contemplating welding back in, it doesnt show as much progress... which means its not as rewarding... so i get bored and distracted by the internet as many yooths do.
Would help if i had access to the whole host of tools you appear to have available!

I know what you mean, chopping so much out of a car can be a little demoralising at times but at least once everything's out the only way is up. I did look at the Crayford once I chopped whole floor out and the only thing left was the tunnel and think "Christ how and I going to put this puzzle back together".


Seen as the the door frame was now in I thought I get the roof corner repair I made a while ago welded up.




I welded the seam across the top of the skin and brazed in the gutter as it flows in a lot better to seal the joint.




Our friendly neighborhood UPS man brought us a couple big Mini Spares boxes with the front end and other assorted goodies in so I gave it all a test fitting.


I also started to convert the standard Mini front panel into and Elf/Hornet front panel using this lovely conversion piece. Clicky
I started out by removing the central brace and stripping the paint off the new panel so I could lay the conversion piece over and mark it up for cutting.


Then came the air hack saw.


And last for today (actually Friday because I'm writing this late) the conversion panel clamped in. It's a very nice fit.

[minimikej]

Nice! Enjoying this thread very much.

[Tupers]

Nice! Enjoying this thread very much.

Thanks Mike, I'm enjoying writing it.



I got a little bored after the F1 so I though I'd pop down and finish off the front panel insert.
Holes punched and Celcos applied.


Plug weld welded, butt welded across the top centre section and all linished down. I'll braze the seam around the edge tomorrow.

[Tupers]

For the most part this week I've juts been dotting about and finishing off little bits of welding but I thought you guys might like to see the rest of the front panel conversion.

The kit comes with a photocopied paper template that I glued to a piece of card and clamped to the front panel.


A little marker pen action and I know what section I need to cut out.


I did a rough cut with the air hacksaw and then dressed down the indicator plinth with a hammer and dolly.


Now that it was nicely flattened I traced the template again, left 5MM extra on the inside and folded it in like the original.


And there it is ready to weld onto the car.

[ToddM]

You, sir, have excellent fabrication skills! This Hornet'll be a looker and a half when it's done!

[Tupers]

You, sir, have excellent fabrication skills! This Hornet'll be a looker and a half when it's done!

Thank you, we do try. 

 

 

The top boot corner repair is done. 

 

As is the A-pillar repair. 

 

 

And the whole shell is now in a lovely coat of grey zinc. 

[DannyTip]

Looking good tuppers. Is that all the metalwork done now?

[Tupers]

Looking good tuppers. Is that all the metalwork done now?

Everything on the shell is done now, just the doors to repair and re-skin then it's be time for paint. 

 

The underside of the body is now sprayed in schultz and just waiting for doors. 

 

 

[ba-tat]

I just love this car, but the work on it is a bit humbling.

 

As if the fabrication on the indicator plinth isn't enough, he then goes and makes a corner of a roof and a pillar look like a walk in the park.

 

Is this for you or a customer Tupers?

[jonny f]

amazing work as always!!