Major Welding - Chassis - Now Underway :-)

Really? I can see 2 or 3 days hacking and grinding, you have the parts and the chassis repairs are going to be the lions share of the time. The paint on the bottom of the front panel will suffer, so it'll come down to paint expectations in the end. I'm guessing the front panel has been replaced, but if not there will be trouble and filler here too. Ah, I see - I'm doing what your garages have done - hedging my bets. It's not easy but if I had my hands on it I'd quote for the stuff I can see. You're too far though and I wouldn't want guess from photos and confuse the issue.

 

his number is 01535 663268...may be worth a call to discuss...he has always done a great job for me

 

Its understandable why they don't want to put a figure on jobs, things can easily run away on these old vehicles. You're right the front panel has been replaced (has horrible sticky out badge area now)

Thanks, Simon

 

Brilliant, thanks again. I'll be in touch with John once I've checked how the land lies with the current garage.

 

I agree, I suppose I raised hourly rate as I have not been able to gain an estimate on cost for job and I am very aware of my finances.
I have now been without my camper for over a year, it originally went in to the garage for a couple of months (worked on between everyday jobs). It is no closer to being ready than when it went in, except the replacement parts are now to hand, hence the thread.
I am now armed with the number for John - Rainbow Beetles, Keighley (thanks ermintrude1978) - so the thread has hopefully been a success, thanks for everyone's input.
The guy working on my camper has been away for a week, I will try to contact him this week and see if anything can be done re. the garage at Wakefield - if this ends up being a dead end, then I'll get in touch with John. I think that the current garage will help me transport it where it needs to go for the work.

 

Not sure what charge per hour but this is their number.
From personal experience, as said above, its what they find under everything else that causes the problem. Problem is once they get the grinder out you are kind of committed. Mine didnt look too bad until they cut out all the filler and rust.

 

It's not a particularly cruddy job to do and the rot can only spread so far, all of which is readily prodable. On that basis I'm surprised nobody will put a number on it.
Bonus to hear about the front panel, that's one can of worms emptied out already.
Good luck with it Simon.

 

Outer front valance is £100
Inner front valance is £165
Front deformation corners £7.50ea (2 required)
Then there will be some additional steel for fabrications - say £20
Paint - primer and topcoat £30/£40

I'm with zed on the time situation, 3 days so 24 to 30hrs work time.... so depending on hourly rate, that's gonna give you a rough price

 

But remember Paul and I look on the bright side. Probably take a year or two really.

 

I remember at bvf this guy had two bulge panel cuts inner and outer valance still welded together ,i needed one ,but bought them both @ 30 pounds each ,spent six months looking for a resto with the inner and outer valance shot...

I will go for three days as well....

don`t pay anyone a hourly wage without recommendation....

 

Give me a shout if you need a hand transporting, I can tow you with the landy if you want Wolf in da Hudd (sadly have had a lot of experience towing campers of late )

 

Thanks everyone. You've all cheered me up a bit, the parts have been purchased except for the deformation closing panels, so now I'm only looking at welding and paint costs.
Paul, I think that you've seen my camper in the flesh (buying Late Bay deluxe waistline trim) shortly before it went into the garage for the work.
Thanks for the very kind offer yorkshirecampers, not sure that it would be pleasant for either of us though, I doubt that they'll go to the bother to reattach the brakes for transportation. I think, having pulled handfuls of rot out of areas that hold the beam on, that it would be better on a transporter I'm sure that I used to be more carefree in my youth.

 

Hi lost-en-france This is similar to the cut that I've got, did you manage to get them in in one piece? If so, was it because the front panel was also off? Cheers, Simon

 

Must have missed that Simon, the price just went up...

 

The inner attaches to the front panel, then the deformation to the inner, so yes on in one piece.

 

I didnt miss that lol
Hence me saying i cant say a price without viewing the bus
I did however offer to go take a look and write a list for the cost of my fuel and a chippy tea

Im suprised no one has mentioned buying a second hand mig and doing it himself

 

A bit crucial for a learning job wouldn't you say?

 

Maybe

However i have learned many skills because i couldent afford someone else to do it