William Fickington - The surgery commences

[Spag]

Made a start on investigating the bodywork over the weekend, and doesn't seem 'too' bad.

The bolts for the wings were a bit of a pig to crack, but once started they all span out fine, which was a relief!

All seems pretty solid in the middle, but crusty where I guess you expect it, mainly arch corners (mudtraps?) and a couple of bits of chassis leg near the suspension mounts.

Had a play with the new plasma cutter, chopping out some of the crispy bits, and was really pleased with how much cleaner and easier it is compared with previous fun with grinder, air saw, air chisel etc.

Need a bit more practice with it on cutting thicker stuff though, but after a little fettling got the steel cut to reasonable shape to fix the front chassis legs.

Next job - the A post,wing, floor corner bits, then further rearward !


Fer them that's interested, here's a linky to some pics http://spagweb.com/gallery/william_01/index.htm

[alex_holden]

Which plasma cutter did you get and how much was it?

[Spag]

Hi Alex,

Ebay special £220 delivered. http://tinyurl.com/2lko2e

Seems to be a relabeled far eastern unit, via a company in Germany.

There have been various discussions on cheap imported machines on http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/ with the main concerns being over the insulation of the torch connector on the front of the case. Not a major thing to look at if you are aware it could be an issue. Anyway, this one has a nicely booted connector, so all seems good.

Wouldn't pay the £350 usual buy it now, but for just over £200 it seemed worth a try - if it only lasts for the duration of the Minor conversion it will be budgeted as a consumable

Top toy though for the convenience !

[chickenjohn]

Plasma cutters are great! The noise and smell when using them is reminiscent of sparklers on bonfire night. Clean cut, no distortion and the metal after cutting is surprisinglt cool to the touch. Do you have to use an air supply with yours? if so how many CFM are needed.

£220 sounds a great deal, Spag let us know how the plasma cutter lasts, I'm sure I've seen your van around East Kent. How far are you from Margate??

[Spag]

Not sure the actual air rating of the cutter, but it's plumbed into a 12CFM 3HP compressor, and at 50psi it doesn't seem to run more than about 30% of the time - but then the compressor is kind of background noise, so don't take much notice of it

Unlikely you have seen the van around, it's a long term project - the Minor build is just another brief intermission!

Sunny Margate is only 15 or 20 mins along the A28 from here... Oi! hands off of me cutter !!!

[Spag]

For them that's interested I have added some more pics of the general butchery here http://spagweb.com/gallery/william_01/index.htm#latest

Hopefully will get the welding all finished next weekend !

[MoggyTech]

Looking good. 3mm steel+seam sealer = Bullet Poof.

[Bluesman]

Santa - PLEASE ....I know it´s past Xmas....but I really want a plasma cutter......PLEASE?

Jokes aside - that is looking good, Spag!

Cheers /Richard

[Spag]

Well, it's not overly pretty at the moment, but then I am not aiming for a concourse (toothbrush on the brake pipes) finish, though I think the repairs will be pretty discrete when it's finished.

Then want to stick some turrets in the boot, initially to take some telescopics, but with clearance for some coileys, just in case they are needed in future

After that will probably notch the battery shelf to maximise space there, then look to see if the front crosmember needs and editing...

Hope is to get 10 or 12 hours in the garage today for some unhurried pottering about, but having opened the curtains to a bit of frost, I think I'll spend a little while getting the stove cranked up !!!

[Spag]

Right - 12 1/2 hours on there's another update

http://spagweb.com/gallery/william_01/index.htm#latest