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Making repair panels
woodster - 29/6/14 at 10:05 PM

Been reading this most of the weekend, a great read and I've learnt a lot, I needed some inspiration on my mini build I decided to make as many of the repair panels myself as I could and I thought as well as getting experiance at welding I'd inprove my metal fabrication skills .....

http://retrorides.proboards.com/thread/70135?.U7B8r2t5mSM=undefined

Don't think it's been posted before .

robinj66 - 30/6/14 at 07:30 AM

There's some fantastic stuff on there ( and a great deal of skill too)

britishtrident - 30/6/14 at 07:38 AM

As you can buy a ready made repair panel for almost every section of a Mini why make extra work.

woodster - 30/6/14 at 09:54 AM

quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
As you can buy a ready made repair panel for almost every section of a Mini why make extra work.


i just thought i'd like to try making a few repair panels for the enjoyment and test of skill really, i've had many minis over the years when it was my only form of transport when i couldn't afford to have it off the road for long, needed to get out chasing women and beer, now i'm fifty, married and reasonably well off and i've got a couple of vehicles and lots of time to build the mini how i would like it

pewe - 30/6/14 at 10:29 AM

You can buy a spot weld shroud for the MIG welder which is I think how the first panels are tacked. - gives a nice, neat spot.
When fabricating panels make up a jig using MDF and/or wooden strips to beat in strengthening ribs as per originals - use panel beaters hammers for this - much better than just using flat sheet and looks authentic with a bit of practise.
Very satisfying once you get your head around it.
Cheers, Pewe10

Mr Whippy - 30/6/14 at 11:41 AM

great quality repairs there

woodster - 30/6/14 at 12:19 PM

quote:
Originally posted by pewe
You can buy a spot weld shroud for the MIG welder which is I think how the first panels are tacked. - gives a nice, neat spot.
When fabricating panels make up a jig using MDF and/or wooden strips to beat in strengthening ribs as per originals - use panel beaters hammers for this - much better than just using flat sheet and looks authentic with a bit of practise.
Very satisfying once you get your head around it.
Cheers, Pewe10


that was the reason for the orginal google search to find that website, i'm putting a smallish repair panel in the floor and i need to put a strengthening rib in it, i know i could buy a section of floor but theres no fun in that.... i'm really enjoying the work and my welding skills are getting better.

Cheers Dave

nick205 - 1/7/14 at 08:46 AM

quote:
Originally posted by woodster
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
As you can buy a ready made repair panel for almost every section of a Mini why make extra work.


i just thought i'd like to try making a few repair panels for the enjoyment and test of skill really, i've had many minis over the years when it was my only form of transport when i couldn't afford to have it off the road for long, needed to get out chasing women and beer, now i'm fifty, married and reasonably well off and i've got a couple of vehicles and lots of time to build the mini how i would like it



Just because you want to