Saved from the scrappers...
Discussion
I thought I'd update this thread from last April.
After working on her for 3-4 months the ole girl passed her MOT, and I got to drive her for a few months over the summer and up till the end of Jan this year. It was always the plan, a 'shake down' period to all intents, to see what else crops up. And more did...
Anyway, she came off the road this month and I slowly prepared her for the body off restoration. Then 2 days ago she was ready. Unfortunately I didn't take pics if the whole process, but here's the result:
Engine out
Body onto the makeshift dolly
And the dreaded rotting chassis Starting from the O/S front outer
O/S front inner
O/S outrigger
O/S rear
N/S rear
N/S front
Virtually every corner is fubar
Chassis now safely in the garage and ready for disassembly, before going to the shot blasters.
Going to be a busy next few months...
After working on her for 3-4 months the ole girl passed her MOT, and I got to drive her for a few months over the summer and up till the end of Jan this year. It was always the plan, a 'shake down' period to all intents, to see what else crops up. And more did...
Anyway, she came off the road this month and I slowly prepared her for the body off restoration. Then 2 days ago she was ready. Unfortunately I didn't take pics if the whole process, but here's the result:
Engine out
Body onto the makeshift dolly
And the dreaded rotting chassis Starting from the O/S front outer
O/S front inner
O/S outrigger
O/S rear
N/S rear
N/S front
Virtually every corner is fubar
Chassis now safely in the garage and ready for disassembly, before going to the shot blasters.
Going to be a busy next few months...
Holy st. Those pictures of the chassis outriggers are scary. In an accident there would have been a really good chance of you being launched from the car with the seatbelt and a lump of chassis still attached to you.
Good luck with the restoration. Damned right thing to do, rescuing that car, well done Sir.
Good luck with the restoration. Damned right thing to do, rescuing that car, well done Sir.
Barreti said:
Holy st. Those pictures of the chassis outriggers are scary. In an accident there would have been a really good chance of you being launched from the car with the seatbelt and a lump of chassis still attached to you.
Good luck with the restoration. Damned right thing to do, rescuing that car, well done Sir.
The scary thing is that it passed an MOT Good luck with the restoration. Damned right thing to do, rescuing that car, well done Sir.
Unless you have abody lift all this rust would have been hidden, poor Blackpool TVR powdercoating
Barreti said:
Holy st. Those pictures of the chassis outriggers are scary. In an accident there would have been a really good chance of you being launched from the car with the seatbelt and a lump of chassis still attached to you.
Doesn't bear thinking about does it.... Barreti said:
Good luck with the restoration. Damned right thing to do, rescuing that car, well done Sir.
Thanks, appreciate the encouragement Car is coming along quite well now. Chassis is stripped of all it's 'barnacles'
Then went at it with a wire wheel attachment to find out where the rust starts and stops
Marked all the points where the cuts are to be made with a bit of primer
It's pretty much ready for fabrication now. Just waiting for my new 'angle finder' off fleaBay. Also making last decision on what MIG welder to get. More than likely a Sealey SuperMIG 180. Also need to order the steel tube and plate this week, and get some scrap angle iron off a local sheet metal shop for the jig fab.
The next lot of photos should see my first attempt at MIG welding
Before anyone gets their knickers in a twist thinking I'm going to try and weld the outriggers straight away, I won't be. The idea is to buy more tube than I need and practice until I get a decent weld with proper fusion and integrity.
Cheers
Then went at it with a wire wheel attachment to find out where the rust starts and stops
Marked all the points where the cuts are to be made with a bit of primer
It's pretty much ready for fabrication now. Just waiting for my new 'angle finder' off fleaBay. Also making last decision on what MIG welder to get. More than likely a Sealey SuperMIG 180. Also need to order the steel tube and plate this week, and get some scrap angle iron off a local sheet metal shop for the jig fab.
The next lot of photos should see my first attempt at MIG welding
Before anyone gets their knickers in a twist thinking I'm going to try and weld the outriggers straight away, I won't be. The idea is to buy more tube than I need and practice until I get a decent weld with proper fusion and integrity.
Cheers
Edited by caduceus on Tuesday 3rd March 09:25
Have a look at http://www.mig-welding.co.uk I taught myself from there.
CO2 / Argon Mix gas gives a better weld than just CO2.
I just used the little cans of gas from Machine Mart at a tenner or so - I used a few but compared to all the other stuff I bought it was insignificant.
I've got one of these
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details...
I've been thinking about selling it if it's of any interest along with one of these
http://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/Welding/Speedsh...
Whatever you do I personally wouldn't buy an auto darkening mask from ebay or such like.
CO2 / Argon Mix gas gives a better weld than just CO2.
I just used the little cans of gas from Machine Mart at a tenner or so - I used a few but compared to all the other stuff I bought it was insignificant.
I've got one of these
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details...
I've been thinking about selling it if it's of any interest along with one of these
http://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/Welding/Speedsh...
Whatever you do I personally wouldn't buy an auto darkening mask from ebay or such like.
Sardonicus said:
Seriously new steel welds beautifully it wont take you long to get the hang of things its not like your welding thin sheet where blowing holes is a worry, generally if the weld looks nice its right you have plenty to compare keep up the good work.
Thanks for the encouragement Sard I've been doing a lot of research on various sites and building up my knowledge base. It's a learning curve for sure but I'm enjoying it. But I'm under no illusion it's going to take a lot of practice before I tackle the actual chassis work. Although I appreciate the positive sentiment, I'm not sure I agree with the 'if it looks nice, it's right' approach. I only say that because it's been mentioned quite a few times from different sources. Apparently you can achieve a neat/good looking weld that doesn't have any/enough fusion between the base metal and weld. But as with everything on the net, you can get all the input you think you need.. But the real learning is when you pick up the torch and give it a go. Then test your work.
But that being said, I'm happy to be 'advised constructively' otherwise
Barkychoc said:
Whatever you do I personally wouldn't buy an auto darkening mask from ebay or such like.
Couldn't agree more. I did see those auto darkening masks, but don't like the idea personally. Thanks for the offer of your MIG, but I'm after a gas MIG as personal preference.
Do like the look of your red chassis by the way
caduceus said:
Thanks for the encouragement Sard
I've been doing a lot of research on various sites and building up my knowledge base. It's a learning curve for sure but I'm enjoying it. But I'm under no illusion it's going to take a lot of practice before I tackle the actual chassis work. Although I appreciate the positive sentiment, I'm not sure I agree with the 'if it looks nice, it's right' approach. I only say that because it's been mentioned quite a few times from different sources. Apparently you can achieve a neat/good looking weld that doesn't have any/enough fusion between the base metal and weld. But as with everything on the net, you can get all the input you think you need.. But the real learning is when you pick up the torch and give it a go. Then test your work.
But that being said, I'm happy to be 'advised constructively' otherwise
It really isnt hard to detect if you have enough weld penetration this should be easy to master on your scrap piece of steel tubing or whatever of similar specs I maybe incorrectly assumed you would be having a bit of practice 1st getting a decent weld on the TVR tubing should be really easy even for a novice I've been doing a lot of research on various sites and building up my knowledge base. It's a learning curve for sure but I'm enjoying it. But I'm under no illusion it's going to take a lot of practice before I tackle the actual chassis work. Although I appreciate the positive sentiment, I'm not sure I agree with the 'if it looks nice, it's right' approach. I only say that because it's been mentioned quite a few times from different sources. Apparently you can achieve a neat/good looking weld that doesn't have any/enough fusion between the base metal and weld. But as with everything on the net, you can get all the input you think you need.. But the real learning is when you pick up the torch and give it a go. Then test your work.
But that being said, I'm happy to be 'advised constructively' otherwise
Barkychoc said:
I've been thinking about selling it if it's of any interest along with one of these
http://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/Welding/Speedsh...
Whatever you do I personally wouldn't buy an auto darkening mask from ebay or such like.
Chrishttp://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/Welding/Speedsh...
Whatever you do I personally wouldn't buy an auto darkening mask from ebay or such like.
PM'd
Well, I hired a 'Parweld' 160 welder for a week to practice on, and today had my first proper go. Once I got a decent enough setting I did some lines (no Kate Moss in sight)
Then joined a few up. Also tried welding along the outer edges, but burnt through on some parts and was very messy.
Then got a bit cocky
Then tried my first fillet joint, and that didn't go so well
I know it looks pretty crap at the moment, but I'm enjoying the learning experience. Setting the machine up is definitely harder than the actual welding. Well, straight lines anyway.
Tube comes early next week. Ordered 12 meters of CDS, so have plenty to practice on.
Then joined a few up. Also tried welding along the outer edges, but burnt through on some parts and was very messy.
Then got a bit cocky
Then tried my first fillet joint, and that didn't go so well
I know it looks pretty crap at the moment, but I'm enjoying the learning experience. Setting the machine up is definitely harder than the actual welding. Well, straight lines anyway.
Tube comes early next week. Ordered 12 meters of CDS, so have plenty to practice on.
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