chassis rot

[emmerson]

All good helpful stuff. Many thanks. I'll let you know what I decide to do.

[bmcecosse]

I agree completely about the 'stick' welding - it's really not suitable for car bodywork. However - some years ago there was a device (can't remember name - but not the carbon-arc things for brazing) that could be attached to a stick welder that did allow it to be used on car bodywork. At the time the reviews said it was very good ! Personally - I have grave doubts. Anyone got such a device and/or any experience of it's use ?

[grumpygrandad]

i remember somthing like that but i seem to think it needed 12vo;ts from a battery,,,grandad

[PSL184]

I doubt very much you could get enough amperage from a 12v battery to weld much of any use....?

[bmcecosse]

It was on the normal stick welder, - but yes, you could use batteries for stick welding - would need more like 36 or 48 volts - and, there would be no current limit if the rod sticks to the weld! But it's an idea. Might be tricky to get the arc to strike up. Stick welding is normally done with AC power.
I'm sure there was also a device that used a car alternator, taking the power directly from the AC machine before the diodes, to allow welding 'on site'.

[grumpygrandad]

ther used to be a lternator type welder that could be run of a vehicle look like an alternator driven the same way ,,grandad

[emmerson]

Evening all. An update on my chassis problems.
After a visit from Millerman, who has just finished his Traveller, and very nice it looks too, I was left with lots of thinking to do. After further discussion with my brother,(the car's previous owner) we decided that we didn't really want to scrap the car, so I've agreed a deal with my "hospital" man for him to do the welding work over the next couple of months, for an agreed fixed price. Once this is done, the car will come back to me for the new woodwork and carpets etc, and possibly a respray, although I think just a severe T-cut and polish might be all that's neccesary in that department.
Many thanks to all who replied with suggestions, and particularly to Millerman for taking the trouble to visit me. His car gave the lift I needed to get the job done.
Watch this space.

[bmcecosse]

Well done - and good luck. Just be SURE to survey the car completely before you start so there are no nasty surprises half way through.

[emmerson]

I think we've covered all the possible areas, ecosse, but thanks for the warning.

[Dean]

Great news and at least you'll get to enjoy the car eventually.

[millerman]

Emmerson
Thanks for your hospitality. Friday night in the Village Hall next time

[emmerson]

Yes indeed, and I'm buying! Not for the next two weeks though, as we're going away next Friday, and return ten days later.

[emmerson]

Millrman, I'll be in the Village Hall bar tomorrow,17th. Come and join us!.

[millerman]

The jobs' a good 'un

[emmerson]

Evening all. An update on my chassis problems.
After a visit from Millerman, who has just finished his Traveller, and very nice it looks too, I was left with lots of thinking to do. After further discussion with my brother,(the car's previous owner) we decided that we didn't really want to scrap the car, so I've agreed a deal with my "hospital" man for him to do the welding work over the next couple of months, for an agreed fixed price. Once this is done, the car will come back to me for the new woodwork and carpets etc, and possibly a respray, although I think just a severe T-cut and polish might be all that's neccesary in that department.
Many thanks to all who replied with suggestions, and particularly to Millerman for taking the trouble to visit me. His car gave the lift I needed to get the job done.
Watch this space.

Evening all. The car came back from the welders today. Millerman called in the garage last week to see it, and pronounced the job OK, and now its back home and I've had a dig around it, I agree with him. It does look OK!. Now all I have to do is find all the bits to put it back together. That might not be until the Spring though. Its a bit chilly to be working outside just now!.

[PSL184]

Put a coat on

[Pyoor_Kate]

Well, I'm glad you didn't end up using a local MOT welder - I had a few of them round to look at the DAF before she went off to a 'restorer' for her new sills - and they had lots of 'great' excuses for why patching over rusty metal was better than cutting out the rust and putting in new metal.

In the end, the guy I chose was up front and said he'd chop out the rust but the finish work on the car was all up to me, he'd grind down the welds but everything'd be left rough and in bare metal; and also said I was welcome to drop in anytime while he was working on 'er.

'course now the bloomin' clutch has died, but ne'r mind. It's winter, and traditional that I have a big job to do on a vehicle in the cold.

[emmerson]

All the rusty bits were cut out, as per my instructions, and new metal cut to fit, or new panels as supplied by me, welded in. All in all, I'm happy with the job, except that he's finished it before I expected it, and now I'll have to pay him before Christmas!
Wonder if Herself will accept it as a Christmas present?

[mrbenn]

Excellent Glad you were able to save it.

[emmerson]

As its still too cold/wet to work on the car, as its only under my carport(!), I've made a start on the new woodwork. I've decided to take Charles Ware's advice, and go for lots of Cuprinol to start, then even more Danish oil. The Cuprinol went on dead easy, and I've now done one coat of oil. Already it's begining to look good. Trouble is, Herself can't breath for the fumes, and I'm doing it in our back porch! As it's so cold, the oil is taking a long time to dry, so the next coat will have to be done tomorrow night, after Anne has gone to bed, and I'll leave the porch windows open!
I'm sure she'll appreciate it when I've finished, though.
Hey ho, onward and upward!