I've been waiting for weeks for you to weld that part of the chassis repair just forward of the torsion tube. The bit that will end up facing the ground where you have accidentally made a bit of a step. You are going to weld that up I hope, it's crucial. Sorry, couldn't wait any longer.
If you're talking about this bit: I'll be repairing that section properly once I get the floor in I think. The step is there as I followed the curve of the original rotten panel underneath the repair someone put in rather than the curve of the repair. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I thought you might have shrunk the repair panel next to it welding too fast. Been there, done that, I was surprised how much it shrank.
Todays efforts. Welded in the cone section that strengthens the rear torsion bar. It was a bit of pig getting the welding torch in position for some of it and the welds could’ve been a little neater but the penetration is good. I’ve drilled a hole in it so I can cavity wax it and fit a bung later. I’ll be glad not to have to do this section again! Welded a small patch on the only floor support I didn’t end up replacing: Redid the welds joining the front top hat to the floor (these were some of the first welds I did and penetration wasn’t great on them).
Some more chassis fun today. I decided to finish off the chassis work before the floor goes in and I’m glad I did (and egged on by @zedders somewhat!). Annoyingly I had to remove the brake cable guide tube I’d welded in as access would’ve been awkward (it only takes a little while to unpick it anyway). So chop chop. You can see the rear of the repair I had to make to the other side, and the welds for the cone section. And fabbed the easiest bit first.
As your critic, which is not easy as you're doing such a great job, you've lost the the line there. When you continue it past the axle tube will there be enough surface to fit the new cone bit?
Isn't there one on the inside too? Think it varies over the years. I meant that the right hand end of your repair piece looks too high (if bus was the right way up).
Mine didn't have one on the inside. I've matched the height of the rest of the chassis so I think it's right? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ah, the bit the other side is also a repair, I hadn't realised, so the two parts seemingly diverging is because the other part is a bit long?
Think I see what you mean now. That's kind of on purpose. I made the repair on the other side slightly too large as I wasn't sure how I was going to weld the two sides together. Think I'll do similar to what I did further along, seam weld and then grind flush. This area of the van was repaired poorly in the past and I'm trying to make it look as best I can. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yeap. It's not perfect but should be better than the previous repair. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Also thanks for saying I'm doing a great job. It's hard keeping up the momentum some days! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
People are more inclined to comment if they see you possibly overlooking something, your welding is not up to it etc. When I look at yours I usually wonder whether I got the wrong end of the stick thinking welding and metalwork is new to you? Bending. If you had a piece of flat bar, say 40mm x 5mm x 400mm, put that against your work to hit, rather than hammering the panel directly, your folds would look better. I also had a very well mounted vice and assorted lengths of thick angle iron to extend the jaws. For longer bits a g-clamp each end to keep everything in place. Nothing flash. If you're hammering always wear good quality ear protectors as this is what ruins your hearing far more than power tools in my experience.
Kind words fella! Thus far for bending I've been using a vice and blocks of wood. Think I may have some scrap metal laying around so I may give that a go on the next bits. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
just read this thread from the start, awesome job there!! Keep the momentum going, it won't be long till its back on the road!
Excellent work. Where those rear tubes come through the chassis rails can be a right b*st*rd to repair
Thanks! It's certainly improving my fabrication skills. End result is looking good I reckon. Be nice to start on some panel work soon though! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
