db1415
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| posted on 17/1/06 at 06:11 PM |
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NEWBIE in need of guidance
Hello!
I bought the Ron Champion book a few weeks ago, on a whim. I've struggled to think about much else ever since. I'm fairly sure i've
got the patience to do it, and I'd enjoy it, but there are a few things holding me back (all of which can be overcome... I hope!). Namely, I
have no mechanical experince, no welding experience, a small garage and no tools.
I think I'd get most of my knowledge from dismantling my donor car (don't have one yet... suggestions welcome!). Other than that,
I'm planning to rely on advice from friends and colleagues. Also, I've had a look on ebay, and tools, engine hoist, etc. seem to be
reasonably cheap
Am I being over-amitious? Should I stick to lego? Comments welcome!
Dan
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chrisf
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| posted on 17/1/06 at 06:15 PM |
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When I started this project almost two years agao, I was in the same boat. Well, I did have a two car garage. I should now be done in the next couple
months.
The guys on this board are great and will help you through the process.
--Chris
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JoelP
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| posted on 17/1/06 at 06:18 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by db1415
Namely, I have no mechanical experince, no welding experience, a small garage and no tools.
That was me 3 years ago! Now i have a bit of experience, a bigger garage and lots of nice tools! 
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liam.mccaffrey
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| posted on 17/1/06 at 06:26 PM |
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go for it i was in the same boat too, and now i am about a month away from the car moving under its own power
regarding knowledge gained through doing this, it will change you whole outlook about mechanical things
I thought that cars and their workings were mystic and the domain of the mechanic, whereas now i am a card carrying scrapyard fiend with car bits in
my bedroom and all sorts.
[Edited on 17/1/06 by liam.mccaffrey]
Build Blog
Build Photo Album
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DorsetStrider
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| posted on 17/1/06 at 06:33 PM |
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As other have said "That was me" a year ago.
Although if I'm honest I did do a Btec Engineer course at college...... 12 years ago....but in my defence I've forgotten just about
everything I learnt :OS
1 year on I have (most) of the tools, I can weld (curtousy of college night school) and working chassis design (I'm not building a seven). And
hopefully a car by the end of the summer..... although I suspect that's the summer of 2012! lol
Go for it mate if nothing else you will expend your skills and social bank. The peeps on here are superb and a true wealth of knowledge that they are
happy to share. I would name names but there's just far too many!
Good luck 
Who the f**K tightened this up!
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rayward
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| posted on 17/1/06 at 06:48 PM |
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Hi and welcome
if you can't weld, you can buy a ready built chassis, tools can be bought, and a project like this is ideal to gain the experience.
Ray
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Jon Ison
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| posted on 17/1/06 at 06:53 PM |
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Ive seen plenty of cars built by people on here who started from exactly the position your in, all of them are a credit too the builders, go for it.
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emsfactory
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| posted on 17/1/06 at 08:30 PM |
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Just build one. To many folk faf about for ages and do hee haw.
My motos are " how hard can it be" and "the first one is the worst one" generally stands well.
Mine took 18 months to get to SVA and I have some tidying up to do now.
Having something sacrifical close by can help, so you can smash it with a big hammer when you get pissed off.
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JoelP
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| posted on 17/1/06 at 08:37 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by emsfactory
Having something sacrifical close by can help, so you can smash it with a big hammer when you get pissed off.
my old combi boiler fit the bill well, unfortunately i was usually pissed of with the boiler itself!
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tom_loughlin
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| posted on 17/1/06 at 08:43 PM |
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welcome!
I was in the same boat 2 years ago and only today have i got my reg plates made so my car is 100% legal.
i couldnt weld, didnt know an awful lot about cars, and had no tools, but my parents have a decent sized garage (which i have kind of took over
alltogether!)
i ended up taking the plunge and getting a ready made chassis and bodywork (more expensive, but thought it was worth it in the long run) and now i
know what goes into building one, im going to give the next one a shot from scratch.
as for the tools, i bought stuff as and when i needed it - now all i could do with of my own is a car transporter trailer, and an engine hist (both of
which i have borrowed when i needed them)
the guys on here are a helpful lot, and i have always had a reply from someone, whatever the problem.
all the best
Tom
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db1415
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| posted on 18/1/06 at 07:43 PM |
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Cheers
Cheers lads, I think you've persuaded me! I'm now starting the hunt for a donor car. Suggestions and advice more than welcome.
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Gav
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| posted on 19/1/06 at 10:23 AM |
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By far the easiest thing to find is a sierra and use a de-deion tube, have a look in the chassis/running gear/donor car sections for more info.
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