457 replies to this topic

[Ben_O]

Right, i have finally found 20 minutes to sit and write up the update from Friday. sorry about the delay!

 

Continuing on from Thursday, i put the shell back on the spit.

 

We have a high lift pallet truck so that seemed the obvious choice to lift the shell high enough to get it on.

 

 

 

I didn't want to use the self loading things that came with the spit as they are useless and my advice to anyone who wants to buy one to leave the self loaders well alone.

Without the self loaders, i could put the rotating arms the correct way up and get the centre of gravity right

 

 

It now turns perfectly with no effort at all which is a massive help and will be when we paint the shell.

 

Anyway, with the shell upside down, i plug welded the wing seams and finished the welding on the brackets by adding some seam welds to the edges

 

 

And then started prepping the inside of the roof

 

 

Colin took over at that point. My work on the shell repairs are now complete and it's over to him to work his magic

 

 

 

The plan was to get the shell into primer Friday afternoon but by the time he had finished all the final prep and spent what seemed like hours carefully removing all of the glue residue from the cant rails and pillars, it was decided that it would be to tight to get it done so he spent the rest of the day perfecting everything and just generally being very anal about it which is no way a bad thing!

 

Whilst he was doing that i needed to get a parts order together so that meant working out what was needed.

 

Only one way to do that....

 

 

 

 

So now i know what i need, i can get it all ordered and ill start assembling the subframes on Monday afternoon as i need to do some minor repairs on a customer car for Colin in the morning whilst he primes the Mini so he can paint the other car once the Mini is primed.

 

Getting there now!

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[Steve220]

Ben,

Can you let me know how you get on with those handbrake quadrants? I've got a set and the fit is awful. There's a mm play between the hole in them and the pin.

[sledgehammer]

That mini is going to be better than when it left the factory -

 

mind you some mini's were rough from new

 

great work

[Ben_O]

Ben,

Can you let me know how you get on with those handbrake quadrants? I've got a set and the fit is awful. There's a mm play between the hole in them and the pin.

Yeah, ill check it out

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[minipickup]

Looks good, I may have to bring my Mini City out of its 10 year sleep in the garage for you to restore!

[Ben_O]

Looks good, I may have to bring my Mini City out of its 10 year sleep in the garage for you to restore!

Thanks and that's fine by us.

 

Happy to restore Mini's any day of the week

[Mini Manannán]

Ruddy Nora!  Just found this thread.  What a job Ben, it's really interesting to see what depths you get to to get rid of the dreaded tinworm.  My car could do with a dose of what you do, logistics are a slight problem though...

[MrBounce]

Ben your work and attention to detail really is something to be proud of. So good to see someone who is clearly enjoying their work as well as taking their own time to promote the business at the same time. I hope that your employer sees you in the same light as you're an asset to the company.

Big "well done" - that's going to be an awesome Mini!

[JDImini]

Bloody brilliant!!! love the pictures of all the parts laid out. 

 

Just got home from a great weekend at Goodwood Revival, can't wait til next year, just need to be in Jack's good books so I can get a lift there in the mini unless you can do a resto job on my midget before then

[Ben_O]

Thanks Guys!

Really good to hear such positive feedback

 

Ill talk to you about the Midget Darren if you are serious about getting it done this year. I think we could probably fit it in if you do.

 

cheers

 

Ben

[JDImini]

Hi Ben,

 

I would like you to have a look at the midget. I think I need to pick a sunny day in the next few weeks to have a drive down to the island 

[Ben_O]

Hi Ben,

 

I would like you to have a look at the midget. I think I need to pick a sunny day in the next few weeks to have a drive down to the island 

sounds good Darren.

 

Just let me know when.

 

Cheers

 

Ben

[MikeRotherham]

After seeing your work Ben what would be useful would be a thread showing how you cut and shape the panels you make up to replace the rusty bits you cut out.

 

Perhaps you could fit it in when you aren't so busy!

 

The thread could get pinned for easy access.

[Ben_O]

After seeing your work Ben what would be useful would be a thread showing how you cut and shape the panels you make up to replace the rusty bits you cut out.

 

Perhaps you could fit it in when you aren't so busy!

 

The thread could get pinned for easy access.

I would love to do that but unfortunately, i just can't find the time.

 

If things quieten down, ill see what i can do. I could always photograph these things as i do them and then keep them for future write ups perhaps.

Cheers

 

Ben

[Carlos W]

 

 

If things quieten down,I'll be taking a trip to Kent to see Carlos

Cheers

 

Ben

 

Sorted your error out mate