bodywork

Post by **nicky573** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:03 pm

thanks guys

Post by **alainmoran** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:19 pm

Excellent

It's going to be a long haul, but it is so TOTALLY worth it ... the feeling you get knowing that you personally saved this car is the best thing in the world.

Given the amount of welding that it seems you have to do then you should seriously consider taking courses in welding at your local technical college, they often only take a few weeks and in the long run it is a life skill that will always be handy, in the short term it may well save you a chunk of cash that you can spend on other bits.

Wherabouts are you? If you are in the North West then I for one would be up for helping you out when you get stuck, or need 'that one tool' for a few hours, or just want someone to have a brew with and stand staring seriously at the minor for a bit.

Post by **nslocomotive2** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 8:50 pm

Yea give it a go,

Im a novice welder and I found there are plenty of tricks out there to get you started just make sure you do the research and buy the right machine I wasted time buying the wrong welder twice, and then I managed to get it nicked twice!!!

there are plenty of threads with photos on this forum to show you how to do these things take a look at mine its worse than yours, and if it takes me ten years to do it then so be it...

Here is brenda's forum, http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?name=P ... ic&t=20703

More pic's here - http://s152.photobucket.com/albums/s192 ... es/brenda/

I have also bought another once since to run around in the mean time. Do it, do it now

You know you want too.

Post by **alainmoran** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 9:23 pm

I went to my local welder shop (there is one just up the road from me) and after chatting to the bloke in there I went for a SIP migmate turbo 105

Its fairly low power, so its not so easy to blow holes (although with some of the feathered metal I work with I still manage it), fan assited to help it run for longer without pauses, mig because it is just easier than stick (IMO), and able to run both gas & gassless wire

TBH I have never tried the gasless wire it came with since I also bought a full size cylinder and regulator - it costs more to begin with, but in the long run you save since you rarely need to refill the bottle and when you do its comparable to buying a tiny cartridge.

One of the best things I've picked up since I started is an auto-darkening helmet ... it makes a WORLD of a difference when you are trying to juggle holding something in place while tacking it on, or more importantly when you are lying on your back trying to weld upside down!!!

Post by **nicky573** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:18 pm

i am from south wales, thers a local welder shop just up the road so i will let them sort it out i got no idea where to start with welding thanx for the offer anyway!

Post by **stag36587** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:18 pm

I completely agree with Alain - my migmate is the same model and I found it ideal for a beginner like myself. I began welding my minor up in mid 2007 and I;m happy to say that my welding is much better now than it was then. I'm already doing some again because I can make a better job of it.

A question on chassis legs now please. My minor has had a repair chassis leg welded into the middle third on the LH side. Would people think it is acceptable to replace just the initial 24inches or should I really replace the whole leg (which clearly is more money!) And, where the repair panel slots into the original, should I be plug welding the flange as well as seam welding the join?

thanks

Post by **alainmoran** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:47 pm

nicky: you will probably pay upwards of £400-500 to get all that welding done for you (not including the parts), wheras a brand new welding rig and full size bottle should come in for under £300, plus you never ever have to pay someone else to do your welding for you ever again.

I knew nothing when I first started welding my minor, and tbh other than messing about with some sheet steel I have never had a single lesson in my life ... my early work is to be honest HORRIFIC to my current standards, but it is good enough to pass an MOT ... as I said before, the standard of welding on offer from quite a few garages is most certainly sub-optimal.

AKA: You can get away with doing it yourself and then cutting out and replacing stuff as you get better at doing it ... it does mean learning a new skill, but it is going to work out cheaper in the long run, if you only had a couple of bits to do then by all means have it done for you, but HONESTLY, TRULY it is well worth learning to weld for yourself, it is quite possibly one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

Post by **alainmoran** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 11:52 pm

PS: for the most part you can get away with using sheet steel rather than pressed parts ... it costs pennies and you wont feel bad when you later cut it out and replace it with real panels ... just try to follow on from the existing structure ... that said a lot of MOT people wont care whether you have tried to retain the original strength so long as there is no rot within 6 inches of a proscribed position. (scary I know, but hey)

I'll try and get this morris mono-construction book online soon(ish) so that you can see how the chuffer was put together in the first place.

Post by **nicky573** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:18 am

i havn't been to the garage yet for a price because no breaks on car have to fit new master cylinder first which i bought recently so that i can drive it to garage so that they can see what work needs doing. What parts do you think i will need and will ibe able to get them off ebay

Post by **PSL184** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:12 am

Repair panels come up on ebay but not too regularly and it is unlikely that you will find exactly what you need on there. However, all the online parts suppliers (I like using Bullmotif) will have everything in stock you need and will post out to you, usually on next day delivery. From your pics I've seen you will need at least a pair of front chassis legs as new panels. The rot to the rear arch can be repaired with a piece of flat steel, cut and shaped, which will be cheaper than buying a full arch repair panel and I would think the same can be said for the panel across the front of the car between the chassis legs. You won't know exactly which panels can be repaired and which can be replaced until you start work but at least you can order any part you need off the shelf - which is more than can be said for many modern cars I've worked on.....

Post by **emmerson** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:21 am

Nicki, where abouts in South Wales? There are a couple of us here who can give you moral support, if nothing else. When I was in the depths of despair with mine, Millerman came over and gave me some encouragement,( and bought me a pint), which was the impetus I needeed.
Pm or ring me 07811 839187. I'm near Pontypool.

Post by **millerman** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:59 am

We must have another pint SOON

Glad you've contacted Nicki

Post by **nicky573** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 5:41 pm

pontypool a bit of support is what i need

Post by **millerman** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:34 pm

We must start a Pontypool Branch of the MMOC

Post by **emmerson** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:53 pm

Nicky/millerman, I shall be in the bar at Cwmavon Village Hall on Friday, from about 8.00ish, if you fancy a pint. (I have even been known to buy, but don't tell everyone, they'll all come). Nicky, it would be good to meet you, Colin, it's been a while, so it would be good to see you too.
(and of course, any other local Minor owners)

Post by **emmerson** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:08 pm

Nicky/millerman--- I've made a boo-boo!!!Next Friday night is quiz night, so may not be a good idea (unless you're into quizzes). The following Friday is OK, unless you want to meet earlier, in which case give me a ring.

Post by **alainmoran** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:00 pm

nicky: given the state of the car from your pics, brakes or no I wouldnt be driving that ANYWHERE ... if you move it then do it on the back of a trailer, it is NOT SAFE TO DRIVE!!!!!

Post by **nicky573** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:24 am

any tips on how to fit a master cylinder.

Post by **Lukey** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:47 am

Nicky, have you got a Morris Minor Haynes manual or a MMOC technical manual? If not and you're going to undertake this work I recommend you get one.

Post by **nicky573** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 12:04 pm

yes i have