948 replies to this topic

[Viktor]

A couple of jobs done today while I'm off from work during half term...

 

Back seat edge cleaned up and ready for the reinforcement angle.

 

 

 

Zinc primer applied.

 

 

 

Then clamped into position and ready for the spot welder.

 

 

And spot welded all along the edge.

 

 

 

And some primer to finish it off. Very quick job with the spot welder.

 

 

 

Next job was the inner wing repair. First thing was to cut off the bit around the curved area.

 

 

 

Then I marked up the cutting area and the spot welds to be removed.

 

 

Next cut along the line and drilled the spot welds.

 

 

Old panel removed and cleaned up. I would need to fill up the hole (steel plate), before adding the repair panel.

 

 

I put the repair panel in place to see how it aligns.

 

 

It sits quite good in there. I guess I would need to put the bonnet back in to check alignment.

 

This is the old inner wing, with the number plate that would need to be transfered to the new panel.

 

 

And that was it for today. More to follow soon.

 

Victor.

[StefanMini]

Nice job! Just a few bits and no welding anymore needed.

[slidehammer]

It is really coming together nicely now

[colinf1]

No long until you can start looking at the front panel!

[wingnut]

Your getting good at this are'nt you.A great job so far

[Viktor]

Thanks guys for the comments, really appreciated. I'm indeed seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with the welding...

 

Victor.

[Viktor]

Took the day off and decided to do some work on the Mini. Bad idea as it was too hot for welding and grinding!

 

Cardboard template to cover the hole.

 

 

 

Then I put the repair panel in place ready for welding.

 

 

Before that, all zinc primed inside there for rust protection.

 

 

A few spot welds there to fix those two panels.

 

 

Spot welds also at the bottom of the repair panel to fix it in position.

 

 

Welded, grinded and zinc primed.

 

 

 

Next the inner wing repair panel in position using the shock absorver nuts and bolts.

 

 

All aligned at the top and under...

 

 

 

Taking advantage of the spot welder.

 

 

Then the Mig welder, tacked in place.

 

 

Fully welded...

 

 

And grinded. My belt sander broke 2 weeks ago and I'm still waiting for the replacement, so I couldn't do a fine grinding, but looking good so far.

 

 

 

So that was it for today. Not sure if I will do any more work this weekend with temps reaching 30 degrees!

 

 

Have a great weekend all!

 

Victor.

[stuart bowes]

I feel your pain mate I was trying as well, I got some grinding done but only in short bursts going back inside from time to time

[Viktor]

A bit more work done today, but I stopped when it started to be too hot!  

 

First, I transferred the tag with the numbers on the LF inner wing. Quick and easy with the spot welder.

 

 

 

 

Then the new front inner wing on the driver's side. First I had to cut the bit to avoid the curved area, similar to the other side.

 

 

Next, I used the bolts from the shock absorver to fix the panel in position.

 

 

Next was to cut the old metal and remove the old spot welds...

 

 

 

All removed and cleaned up.

 

 

Next will be to fabricate the repair plates before putting the new inner wing in place. Something for next week!

 

Cheers.

 

Victor.

Edited by Viktor, 18 June 2023 - 01:39 PM.

[Viktor]

Long time away from the garage, due to family stuff but I managed to spend a few hours today.  It is good to be back! :)

 

Now I have my new belt sander, so I manged to finish grinding the inner wing.

 

 

And all primed now.

 

 

Then onto the other inner wing. First the repair panel for the shock absorber mount.

 

 

Welded in (not great to be honest)

 

 

And grinded and painted.

 

 

I also zinc primed the repair panel, so this will going in next time I'm back to the garage...

 

 

And that was all. Hopefully I can get a few more hours in before going on holiday... ;)

 

Victor.

[colinf1]

Good to see you back at it Victor!

If you could get the inner wings finished before holidays, that would give you a great restarting point to get the front back on!

[Viktor]

Cheers Colin. Yes that would be great, let's see what I manage to do in the next couple of weeks before I go!

[Viktor]

Did a bit of work this morning and finished the other inner wing. Some photos of the process.

 

Marked up the holes for the shock absorver mount and got it drilled.

 

 

 

Then I aligned the inner wing and used the nuts and bolts to fix it in place.

 

 

 

Then I was time for the spot welder, what an incredible and handy tool this is!

 

 

Next was the Mig welder, all clamped and then tacked in place.

 

 

 

And fully welded...

 

 

Then grinded...

 

 

And finised with a lick of primer to protect it from rust.

 

 

Very satisfied with the end result.  Next weekend will be the last before holidays, so let's see how much I can manage to get done...

 

Victor.

[gaspen]

Will those front wings aligned with the front panel / subframe ?

[Viktor]

I hope they will.  We will know soon enough! ;)