Chassis & wishbone coating final solution

[ray von]

ClassiChimi said:

Sorry Cad, enjoying this thread and my last post sounded sarcastic,, long day maybe!
If your re building your car I'm sure you've got the skills and presence of mind to weld her up,,
It's defo harder than it looks but saying that I think the trick is to get a top class welding machine and get used to using it on different steels etc, you really just need a feel for the machine and what settings work for different applications,, a top class mask is almost as important if you ask me and there not cheap these days.

I applaud you whatever you do mate. Good on you, Alun

I don't think it was sarcastic at all. You hit the nail right on the head. Cad may well pick it up and be a natural at it, but producing a 'good looking weld' and producing a 'good' weld are two completely different things. Just my opinion though.

[nuttyfruitbat]

Hi cad great thread keep it coming,go for the clarke 135te it will do what you're after,one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Auto-Darkening-Welding-H... will do nicely I've got one and it works a treat.
http://www.metalgeek.com/static/cope.pcgi
This worked for tube joints,if link doesn't work just google metal geek templatates.

Edited by nuttyfruitbat on Friday 27th February 08:02

Edited by nuttyfruitbat on Friday 27th February 08:09

[pb450]

Haven't tried welding for about 20 years now so can't contribute much. However, it strikes me (no pun intended!) that the upper to lower tubular joints are quite tricky as they are tube to tube at around 20-25 degrees. Acurate cutting and fit-up is the first challenge, followed by a good weld. Hats off to anyone who completes this successfully.

[Chuffmeister]

Another alternative is to cut off the old outriggers. Take them to your fabricator and ask them to make some new stuff up with the same dimensions. Purchase a couple of pieces of sleeving tube and hammer them in. Then, either weld them on yourself or get a mobile welder to do it.

It would be best to leave the upper rigger-to-chassis angled cross-braced pieces off and weld them on separately. If you pre-weld the angle braces onto the outriggers, you won't be able to fit them onto the chassis if you fit inner sleeves. You'll either have to weld tube end to end with no sleeving, or sleeve over the outside of the tube.

It would be a fairly good way to do it, as the car doesn't need to be transported anywhere and you should save a small fortune by doing the rest yourself or contracting out some of the various specialisms.

[TWB86]

Having bought a Chimaera with a chassis refurb within the last two years and found, albeit it superficial, spots of oxidisation and splits in the powder coat on the front wishbones i would be joining the camp that says two pack paint is the way to go!

[caduceus]

ClassiChimi said:

Sorry Cad,

Don't be daft
I didn't take it as sarcastic Alun. It did dent my confidence a little for about 5 minutes

ClassiChimi said:

I think the trick is to get a top class welding machine and get used to using it

After some more research today, I'm thinking the same thing. Over £300 mark is more realistic: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151070819775?_trksid=p20...

Also a tube notcher from Frosts is going to be a good idea, as recommended by someone on PH.

[caduceus]

nuttyfruitbat said:

This worked for tube joints,if link doesn't work just google metal geek templatates.

Thanks bat. Or maybe one of these: http://www.frost.co.uk/frost-pipe-tubing-notcher.h... Seen a demo of it on youtube and seems to work a treat.

[ClassiChimi]

Cad, my mates a good welder and he taught me,, it's a right bugger some days and it's often cos the machine plays up,,
A good machine is the key to good welding, that and practice,,
Hobby welders are good for soldering,,,,, hahah

To be honest many of us would like to do this work ourselves so I for one wish you well and it might encourage more of us to learn the skills required.
Regards Al.

[nuttyfruitbat]

Hi cad tube notcher would be great but you'll probably never use it again,put the £75 towards next welder up and use the metal geeks templates they are spot on and free.

[caduceus]

nuttyfruitbat said:

Hi cad tube notcher would be great but you'll probably never use it again,put the £75 towards next welder up and use the metal geeks templates they are spot on and free.

So pretty much buy one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161441246029?_trksid=p20...

And use that template software...

What would you use to cut it though? Not an angle grinder surely? Also, I don't have a drill press if its just an arbor on a drill..
Don't mean to sound negative, but I just want a simple solution, as the welding is going to be enough of a challenge

Edited by caduceus on Saturday 28th February 09:22

[GTRene]

TWB86 said:

Having bought a Chimaera with a chassis refurb within the last two years and found, albeit it superficial, spots of oxidisation and splits in the powder coat on the front wishbones i would be joining the camp that says two pack paint is the way to go!

maybe all wishbones could be easily hot galvanized and top on that (but not needed I guess) be sprayed with that 2k paint? I guess those simple? wishbones would not that easy disturb like 'maybe' a complete chassis could.

[nuttyfruitbat]

Hi cad yes to angle finder,yes to grinder,print off template wrap round tube,Mark with felt tip grind down to line 2 to 3 mins,also recommend these discs for cut and grind last for ages and are brill at this price.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Power+Tool+Accesso...
63971 is product code if link doesn't work,toolstation

Edited by nuttyfruitbat on Saturday 28th February 09:46

[caduceus]

Thanks bat. Those grinder discs are great value