17 Apr
I managed to get the top rad mounts finished. The first incarnation, in cardboard, was supper complicated. They would have looked good but a little over the top for something that is really just going to steady the rad.
Second try is simply a strip of 2mm steel bent in two places to reach from the top of the front frame to the rad mounting points.
I thought they might ‘twang’ or vibrate a little so welded some strips down each side. They are strong enough to lift the whole chassis up on, they will do.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG]
You will notice I have primed the front end. Two hours of knocking of weld splatter, wire brushing welds and generally getting everything supper clean, then masked up to avoid over spray. Two coats of etch primer the two coats of primer, same as always.
I decided not to do the top coat as I want to do, or get this done, in one go.
18 Apr
By the time I had watched the GP, had lunch and got in the garage it was 1pm.
First job was to get the last up right out of the Deox-C and give it a wire brushing. I am going to de-rust the rest using electrolysis.
I was going to run down to Halfords for some more etch primer for the up rights but decided to move on to something more interesting.
Floor first fit. I flipped the chassis upside-down then manhandled my 8’x4’ sheet of ally on to it, squared it up to one rear corner, measured to make sure I was about to drill bang in the middle of the rail, then took a 3.2mm drill bit and set to. Cleco in then on to the next corner making sure everything was square as I went. Two Cleco’s in and looking good.
Time for some cutting. With loads and loads of measuring and marking I cut the sheet to size whilst it was attached to the chassis with cleco’s. I found if I slipped a piece of scrap tube between the chassis and the ally sheet this gave enough clearance for the cutting wheel to miss the chassis.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
The floor is now attached with 49 Cleco’s (I have lost one already) just need to drill 221 more holes! I am hoping to pick up some 3.2mm (1/8”) at Stoneleigh.
I flipped the chassis over to get a look with the floor in and I’m chuffed. It is such a large part It makes loads of difference, makes me feel like I have got loads done and made a step forward.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Of to Okehampton next week to lay some stone for the car park of the ten tours event.
Cheers Ginge