776 replies to this topic

[mini93]

Unfortunatly not. I need to be able to cut sheet metal, shape panels etc and flat welds.

[mini93]

So, I fully expect an email from the council tomorrow. I had a few more hours on the mini this afternoon.

 

Got started with getting the wheel arches tubbed, got 1 side pretty much finished, just a bit of a dress on some of the welds and make sure I havent got any pin holes in the weld on the new arch top.

 

I didnt take any pictures of the before, Im sure we all know what a normal arch looks like!

 

After spending ages marking out where to chop the section out, I was left with this after a bit of grinder action (oh no, my neighbours cry...)

Took a 75mm section out taking it upto its highest point in the arch

 

The section I had removed was 10mm shorter than required, this was to allow me to bend and form a new lip. Quite pleased with how it actually came out seeing as I was only using swan neck pliers to form the new lip. I just gradually went over the full radius bending it bit by bit till it formed the 90 degree lip.

This then got annialated by the drill in readyness for the plug welds.

 

After a bit of time getting to know the welder, I was left with this. As I say, still needs a little bit of a dress in places. But that shouldnt take too long.

 

Inside view. I might add a few seam welds to the the arch where it meets the rear 1/4. The plug welds arse sufficiant in their own right, but a little more cant harm.

 

So just the other side to do. 1 of the jobs I wasnt looking forward to do hasnt turned out to be too bad in the end.

[alex-95]

excellent work, the inner wings look very smart.

[kcchan]

I've done the tubbing and turretting on mine and as you say, not as bad if you take your time and think about what you're doing. Not having the rear bulkhead makes welding the turrets in easier. Looks like good progress

[DanParsons]

read the entire thread! nice project and workmanship!

[mini93]

Cheers guys.

 

Kcchan, Luckily I had the full arch tubs off the car when I put the turrets in. I wouldnt have been so happy welding them in, in the vehicle.

 

Iv noticed that seems that every progress post I make, I keep saying "I just need to finish dressing the welds and it will be complete" Well theres a long list of welds that still need a bit of attention, just to make them a little bit more aesthetically pleasing. Most of these welded seams will get a light going over with seam sealer just to seal any water traps.

[Baldspeed Racing]

good work on the tubing, im thinking of doing mine before she gets back on the roads but I reckon as my arches have been patched up so much so far it could be a missing

[mini93]

Should deffinatly do it, especially if you need/would like to run lower and still have clearance.

 

Im glad I used new arches as the base. although they have been chopped about a lot, its all strong for sure

[Baldspeed Racing]

yeh I still might do yet dude, might look to get whole new wheel tubs and start from there as I was thinking of running her lower when shes back on the road

[mini93]

So, a few days after I last worked on the shell I ended up in hospital... I had fallen prey to a stray grinding spark. Must have come up through a gap in the goggles. I had initially felt it enter, but it more felt like it was on the top of my eye lid. Got to Wednesday when I was due to drive down south for a friends wedding, my eye super sensative, I noticed a black spot, off to hospital I went, out came their needle. Flick and it was clear.

 

Today I've been doing the near side wheel arch. I didnt bother getting any more pictures (just look at the ones above in a mirror ;) ) I havent completly finished it yet either. Its all welded in place, but just requires grinding down the welds on the arch top.

I also have to make a small patch between the forward part of the wheel arch to floor. It was a bit grotty when I cut out the old wheel arch and I haven't got round to patching it up yet.

 

The only thing I did take a pic of was my sh*t gloves.

Didnt even buy them that long ago... They just fell apart, the fingers are too soft too, my grinder trigger is quite stiff and Im unable to turn the grinder on with these gloves on.

[cherryblossom]

Blah blah blah blah blah.....

[mini93]

Thanks for the input, i really super appreciate it

[Artful Dodger]

I find when doing fabrication, gloves of any kind are useless. Bare hand job unless wearing gauntlets for using oxy/welding



Looking awesome! Be worth it!!

[mini93]

I really only use gloves when grinding and upward drilling etc. gauntlets for welding.

These just didnt cut it. I have my old CAT ones (which I actually got off a friend, used) the fingers are warn through but are stillmore useful and protect more of my hand than those bits of junk.

[mini93]

I've got my roll cage tube, ROPT510 CDS so now work on the cage shall start this weekend, then its about time to start making up the ally fire walls.

 

Edited by mini93, 03 December 2013 - 07:34 PM.