anybody wanna crack

[Custard]

Well after long discussion gonna try and fix custard, gonna cut me teeth on welding, but no way gonna weld in rear subframe mounts-so any body who knows how will pay a decent price, and then try the rest myself There is no time factor involved so any offers

[coedy]

Not many people on here specialise in welding dude...

At least nothing structural...
Best off getting friendly with a local welder from a garage or something... but even then I wouldn't like to try learning to weld on car panels? Their so thin you may blow holes in them or warp them?

I tried to learn to weld On my BMX that I bent and snapped, that looks dodgy as hell, full of holes I burnt through it and probably isn't really that safe anymore... and I think that's probably thicker gauge metal than a Mini panel..

[Custard]

cheers mate, i find the only way to learn trial & error. Was meaning to learn to weld years ago So gonna give it a shot, am insprired by so many porjects on here -- ;D ;D

[coedy]

I really dont think you should learn on something like the rear corner of a mini though dude...

Go get some scrap metal a similar thickness to Mini panels and let rip! ;D

[gar1380]

got to agree with coedy on this get youself some old panels and practice on that first

[ljonez]

Jan 23, 2010 23:31:17 GMT 1 @coedy said:

Not many people on here specialise in welding dude...

At least nothing structural...

*cough* i do *cough*

sadly i don't have time to help out. but as coedy said don't dive straight into it get yourself some same thickness scrap and practice then once your happy practice some more then attempt it.
there are some patten panel repair sections available which can really save time and effort and make the whole process easier.

good luck with it, welding is a great skill to learn and you'll find yourself doing it all the time once you can

[Custard]

Thanks guys, was planning on a lot of practise first ;D Only gonna weld up the body panels as in the spot welds--will leave all the hard bits to pros-have had a few names given to me who are supposed to be good-One guys is up where the mini shop used to be guy by the name of Allen ??any body heard of him work ect...

[exuptoy]

Just take your time and learn what effect each of the controls have on the machine, ie. wire feed too fast, then the torch tries to push back, too slow or too much power and it will burn back the wire which will tend to stick to the tip, not enough or no shielding gas causes a dirty weld, too much power will cause burn through and cause holes. Just try to get a series of spot welds first as too much of a run can cause distortion because of too much heat. Try to avoid the gasless welders as they are siht, also try to stick with 0.6 wire at first instead of 0.8 as you may get a bit more control without blowing through by having to using more power to pool the thicker wire.

Depending on the extent of the damage, cut out as much as you can without making too much work for yourself. Just purchase a spot weld drill to remove old metal until you gat to a distortion free panel. Like below.
Before.


After.

[boycie101]

have to agree with wa everyone else has said, be very carefull wa you doing

[Custard]

Thanks for every ones advice, am having second thoughts as is my Dads car-will get the welding done and do the rest meself

[minimiglia0]

iirc the bump was quite bad and has probably moved the toe board this is not kust a patch up job the integrity of the vehicle will br compromised doing the repair and may twist be very careful and measure all gaps and dimensions to ensure no flexing has occurred

[Custard]

Any idea of price for parts and welding need a rough idea -best worse case would do mechanics me self. cheers

[Phil J]

Hate to say it but I doubt you will find anyone willing to try and repair it

It looks too bad to me and a re-shell seems the only option

[gar1380]

Feb 5, 2010 20:55:52 GMT 1 Custard said:

Any idea of price for parts and welding need a rough idea -best worse case would do mechanics me self. cheers

had the boot floor and valance along with rear subframe fitted and cost me if remember right about £700 / £800

[Custard]

well call me an optimist but he shall live again, by the way what are the rules with reshells as if do so can i transfer the plate over Totally confused on this front

[rjonez]

The only leagal way is to buy a brand new bmh shell

[exuptoy]

Or do the reshell and transfer the number although officially it will be a ringer, not an issue to you I know but a legal no no.

[projectjordan]

Feb 6, 2010 1:32:04 GMT 1 Custard said:

well call me an optimist but he shall live again, by the way what are the rules with reshells as if do so can i transfer the plate over Totally confused on this front

iirc provided u log every part transfered from the original, it counts toward a certain percentage (80%?) you can apply to the dvla to transfer the plate for you, even onto a pre registered shell.

certain items count for greater percentages too: i.e. engine 10% so not as difficult as it sounds

it will need to be checked by the VRO too i think.

I did some looking when considering building a kit car...

basic details were on the dvla web site a few years back. they might still be.

[coedy]

Think the subframes, brakes, suspension and engine are the key parts based off the 80% thing?
If you don't use the 80% you get a Q plate.

[ljonez]

that system isn't used any more now, the only way you can physically keep the same plate now is with a BMH shell any thing else will get a age related plate ( Q plates have also been scrapped) or if you dont inform the DVLA / VOSA of the reshell its a ringer which is a criminal offence