Oh dear...

Discussion in 'Restorations' started by Zed, Aug 22, 2013.

  1. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    One of my old customers once asked me to rennovate her camper for her, but when I cautioned it would cost so much that I wouldn't do it, she went off to an apparently respectable large VW specialist 120 miles away. They estimated £? for the welding, then charged her twice as much and didn't do anything that wasn't covered by the estimate. It was a lot of money. Should be a really top job?

    The welding underneath (sills, outriggers, rear end of chassis) is good, but the panelwork and welding on the rear end looks like it was done by someone who had NEVER done any panelwork or welding before. Here I will say that ALL of you first timers on this board, make a far, far better job of it. :thumbsup:

    Engine lid gap/corner of rear panel. Nice lines!
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    The other side.
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    Welding in the corner here nesr the rear lights would be very time consuming to make look good and need a ton of filler. When there's a formed corner it's best to keep it and weld on a flat bit somewhere nearby.
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    The panel doesn't follow the original lines and sticks out about 5mm to get past the badly fitted repro battery tray. It does this all round the corner panel - bulgy bottom syndrome.
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    The weld has had so much heat it's shrunk in 5mm all round the weld and even if it hadn't, the bottom sticks out too far. So far the battery tray flange was bashed out to meet it and the corner hammered in.
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    What you see here, is the join between a NEW arch panel and a NEW corner. Instead of using a £5 corner return to make a nice metal seam, they tried to save the old panel which had had it!. What you see in the pic is metal, rust and a thin coat of primer. Sorry about the fuzy picture.
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    Paint wire wheeld off.
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    The arch was/is a bit rusty on the undersurface.
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    I'd have replaced the whole thing TBH, but if it had been good it should be less warp inducing to just replace the ends - something I do myself.
    Here's the front part. Someone's "straightened" it with a hammer?
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  2. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    ...Ahh - I get it - they couldn't be bothered to remove the hook-up socket (or any of the interior), so they went under it, then up round part of the arch. This has got to be the worst heat shrink dent I've ever come across, it fills half the picture.
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    And the rear part sticks out too far.
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    The other arch has been tackled differently.
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    How would you fill this?
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  3. bernjb56

    bernjb56 Supporter

    Have you got it back to try and sort then ?
     
  4. sANDYbAY

    sANDYbAY On benefits-won't sponsor!

    That was the one you showed me wasn't it?

    I feel really sorry for the owner of that bus.
     
  5. oh that is dreadful :(
     
  6. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    More random pictures.
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    You'll have to imagine the inner arch repairs because there aren't any. All this welding in the pics, sliding door repair and one front arch + sills and outriggers cost as much as a whole decent bus.
     
  7. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    Told you I was good

    compared to that I am a resto god!
     
    AdyF likes this.
  8. That looks like I did it! N I've never picked up a welder b4! Gutted for the owner!
     
  9. Holy crap
     
  10. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    Apparently though it's ok - all the welding is complete.
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    You guessed, none of the windows or furniture have been removed yet.
     
  11. As you perhaps obviously know Zed ,and I learned for myself, (wise as I am after being ripped off by a "mate") peeps, prior to handing over the folding stuff ,the question ,the only question must be ,"and can you show me an example of your welding work ,particularly some/any welding u done ,old metal too new metal and I would prefer if you would do said welding here and now ,whilst I wait ,ta"and why should they/he/she not?<Any reason as to why not is ,unacceptable.for myself ,I should have noticed I was a "turkey" when on phoning for briefing on progress I got the following replies" cannot get supplies for my welder " " the welder machine is broke ,dunno wot is wrong wiv it" and so on .mates eh.
     
    brothernumberone likes this.
  12. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    That is shockingly bad work.
    Was it all finished and painted then? How come its back with you?
     
  13. That is horrendous. Poor people.
     
  14. That's shocking! I hope there is some comeback for the customer. I'd be really embarrassed to let anyone see that never mind give it back to the customer like that
     
  15. [​IMG]

    you need to clean up...:p

    I like the welding, he just needs to get more lessons.....
     
  16. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    If they've just picked that up I'd be looking at small claims.
     
  17. The only problem is that possessing the technical skill to weld properly doesn't mean you'll be concientious enough to take the time to get everything to fit properly. Although in the case of those photos, it looks like they've got a chimp to do the welding as well as the panel fitting.
     
    steveagain likes this.
  18. sANDYbAY

    sANDYbAY On benefits-won't sponsor!

    I think everyone on TLB should donate £1 and get the woman's bus done properly for her by Zed.
     
  19. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    That's the one. The first corner pictured and wheel arch are getting chopped out to do properly for starters and I started today. I didn't want the job TBH but I felt sorry for her. I can only do a little bit/month as she's still paying off the credit card from last time! They've been storing it for a year (charged - fair enough) and charged to deliver. To rub salt into the wound, they smashed off the snazzy US style front number plate and tailpipe by unloading it too fast previously smashed the fog light and offered her £20 off the bill as compensation!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 22, 2013
  20. Zed

    Zed Gradually getting grumpier

    There aren't enough members. ;)
     
    Tiny-Pie and steveagain like this.

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