It’s getting better all the time …my welding. Slowly, but constantly. I own another issue: “measure twice (even better 3 times), cut once”. My friend who jokes all the time says “i already cut it 3 times and it’s still short” 🙂
I flipped the car upside-down and welded all the patches on the floor.
Then i flipped the car to its normal position.
Next the upper rocker panels for the doors.
The joint of the door rocker panel looks ugly, but actually is OK, because the fit of the spare parts was no perfect.
The patches on the floor are welded only outside. I will add few drops inside only where needed.
Next i welded the shock absorbers domes. The left one fitted perfectly to the hole.
I also welded the cable holder.
The visible trace at the end of the new panel is where i cleaned with gas and clean/dry cloth before the welding. After the welding (and on all “naked” sheet metal) i add some used oil to prevent the “fox” (a light surface rust). Clean oil is better than clean a rust.
The main (first) welding is at the top. Here the gaps are visible well. I will grind, prime with zinc and add a little body filler to make the shock absorbers domes as pretty as i can. This is the only visible welded place and it has to look good.
Then i flipped the car to 90 degrees and spotted the shock absorbers domes at the bottom side.
I welded a nut M5 for the brake fluid container holder. It is ugly, because i did an overhead welding for which i have no skills 🙂
The above picture looks like i was drunk, but i wasn’t 🙂
The right shock absorber dome didn’t go so well. When i cut the hole i left a gap “i already cut it 3 times and it’s still short” (marked with 3 on the picture). When i removed the overlapping sheet metal (marked with 1) it opened another gap (marked with 2). I had to shape another pieces of sheet metal for those gaps.
Notes
- The workshop needs a good light. Also a few portable lights.
- The spots that will be welded have to be clean – gas, acetone, metal brush (grinder).
- Don’t hurry. Measure 3 times, cut once!
- Before cut and weld, look at the other side to avoid cutting, welding or melting something that shouldn’t be.
After the welding is finished i will spray with zinc primer, add polyurethane to all the weldings and paint.
God have mercy.
