Today I MADE

[Hawkear]

today l made a mess, its alright but someone else will clean it up

RIP all cables!

 

[Simmo]

RIP all cables!

 

[Peacekeeper1966]

'Today I Made' , looks all forlorn and forgotten so...since I like making things and have a few projects going, I will share a bit.
One project I have recently started is a major resto of my late fathers car. Poor old thing has been neglected for a while and didn't get looked after so well in the later part of the Old Man's life.
Rust! Yes, the car has a fair bit but nothing too bad so with my MIG, hand tools and the revision of and development of old trade skills via YouTube, I have made good progress with a bit of frustration but a lot of satisfaction along the way.
Here are some before and after shots of the monster!

 

[Peacekeeper1966]

And before I head to the garage.....

 

[Pro-oz]

What type of car?

 

[Peacekeeper1966]

An' 83 Rolls Royce Silver Spur.

 

[Peacekeeper1966]

Front left inner guard/fire wall structure and body to chassis mount before and after rebuilding rusted sections using 1.00 mm mild steel sheet.

 

[David-Karratha]

Front left inner guard/fire wall structure and body to chassis mount before and after rebuilding rusted sections using 1.00 mm mild steel sheet.

Impressive.
I can gas weld, stick weld and mig weld (well I guess just about anyone can mig weld…), but I’m not sure I could weld something so neatly, that it can be painted & polished like panel work.
Do people still do “lead wiping” (filling holes with lead) these days or is it all synthetic filler and spray filler?

 

[Pro-oz]

I don't think lead wiping is used much anymore. Remember an uncle lead wiping when I was a kid.

 

[Peacekeeper1966]

I don't think lead wiping is used much anymore. Remember an uncle lead wiping when I was a kid.

There is a lot of lead wiping on this car and filler as they were hand finished.
Lead is a pain when welding as it makes a weld burn and blow holes, you have to remove at all from where you are repairing. I suppose there are people still lead wiping as it is stable and doesn't contract at all like fillers do over time. However, the fillers and primers available now are far better than years ago so, I will endeavour to get the steel as close to smooth as I can and use etch and epoxy primers and as little filler as I can.

 

[Peacekeeper1966]

Today should see the finish of repairs to the rear right quarter and sill section, complete inner and outer panels and some internal sections are being done here as the rust was effecting most of it. Not too challenging this one as larger sections are easier to remove completely, duplicate and shape on the bench where possible then weld into the car., less welding burns down your neck and pants too...

 

[Peacekeeper1966]

Good evening all, whilst dinner is cooking, here is how the days' work turned out. Pretty happy with the results, got most of it smooth with file and sanding so not much filler work required. I'm a happy lad!

 

[Peacekeeper1966]

Today I only spent half the day working on the car. One of the last rust repairs to do was a small section at the lower leading edge of the front right guard/wheel arch. This time, I took photos of how I make up a small but complex shape by welding two or more sections of sheet steel together. The same can be done with a single piece of steel, usually a softer/more malleable steel, but is labour intensive and requires a lot more stretching, shrinking and hammer and dolly work on the section. I'm still learning too with trial and error and as I mentioned, watching YouTube videos/tutorials posted by both Fitzee's Fabrications and Make it Kustom, both Canadians as it happens, but excellent craftsmen who are both entertaining and great teachers with a wealth of knowledge as well.

 

[Simmo]

Cant wait to see the car when the Clear coat has baked!!! ;-)

 

[Peacekeeper1966]

Cant wait to see the car when the Clear coat has baked!!! ;-)

Thanks Simmo, with the metal work near done it's body prep next, my least favorite part of a resto. Changing colour so all doors, boot and bonnet off with rear window coming too. Good thing is they are all aluminium so much lighter than they look and being big chunky things, bolts, hinges etc are not too difficult to access and remove.
After the body, there are a few mechanicals that need attention and a general cosmetic restoration to the engine including rebuilding the carb's, enamel work, water-pump rebuild and AC compressor rebuild and the entire brake system which, I will post if anyone is keen to see?

 

[Franco]

Excellent work Peacekeeper.
Please do keep us in the loop. Very interesting indeed. You certainly have some skill and patience there.

 

[sand surfer]

First attempt at forge welding,I’m stunned it actually worked out ok.

well done Bjay looking good, how many layers

 

[Bjay]

well done Bjay looking good, how many layers

Only seven layers, just wanted to see how I’d go first. Next one I’ll go for a heap more and probably fail miserably.

 

[sand surfer]

you will never know if you don't have a go, can't wait to see the next stage ,i haven't done any damascus for years

 

[Simmo]

Excellent work Peacekeeper.
Please do keep us in the loop. Very interesting indeed. You certainly have some skill and patience there.

We expect nothing less @Peacekeeper1966 ;-)