Bazil's 1972 Commer PB
- Thread starter Bazil
- Start date
Spoke to my friend (bodyworker) today about where to get a piece made up for the top of the side panel, he asked what I have been doing and when I told him I had cut the gutter off he was horrified!
Doesn't look too daunting to me.
I am going to cut out the rear cone that is rotten and rebuild it with a bit of luck, so that should be an update soon!
Doesn't look too daunting to me.
I am going to cut out the rear cone that is rotten and rebuild it with a bit of luck, so that should be an update soon!
What has happened so far?
I went to see about getting the top of the side panels folded and there was no sign of the metalworker anywhere in his workshop, so after some thought I have purchased a Sheet Metal Folder, compressed air metal cutting shears and a compressed air reciprocating saw.
I am guessing that the metal folder will pay for itself by the time I have used it on the whole van. It is not a very long one, only 760mm, but I am hoping to use it to make several pieces and then clamp them up straight in my straight-edges and then weld them into longer pieces (wishful thinking!).
The shears are obviously to cut the sheet metal off with a decent straight edge and the reciprocating saw I am hoping to cut down the cone seams and completely remove the rear cone for rebuilding.
All before I pass away from old age.
I went to see about getting the top of the side panels folded and there was no sign of the metalworker anywhere in his workshop, so after some thought I have purchased a Sheet Metal Folder, compressed air metal cutting shears and a compressed air reciprocating saw.
I am guessing that the metal folder will pay for itself by the time I have used it on the whole van. It is not a very long one, only 760mm, but I am hoping to use it to make several pieces and then clamp them up straight in my straight-edges and then weld them into longer pieces (wishful thinking!).
The shears are obviously to cut the sheet metal off with a decent straight edge and the reciprocating saw I am hoping to cut down the cone seams and completely remove the rear cone for rebuilding.
All before I pass away from old age.
quote:
Originally posted by Panky
Crikey - you don't mess about[:0]
Harvey the RV
Its a case of, I really want the van ready for the spring/summer next year. Whether or not I can get it ready by then? who knows. Luckily it seems as though the chassis is solid, so that will be cleaned, waxoyled and undersealed and all the work will be concentrated on the side flutes upwards and getting the mechanicals sorted.
Once the roof is on and I have sorted out the major bodywork problems, I could MOT the van, but I would rather try and get it resprayed and have the kind of van I have been after for quite a few years now.
Originally posted by Panky
Crikey - you don't mess about[:0]
Harvey the RV
Its a case of, I really want the van ready for the spring/summer next year. Whether or not I can get it ready by then? who knows. Luckily it seems as though the chassis is solid, so that will be cleaned, waxoyled and undersealed and all the work will be concentrated on the side flutes upwards and getting the mechanicals sorted.
Once the roof is on and I have sorted out the major bodywork problems, I could MOT the van, but I would rather try and get it resprayed and have the kind of van I have been after for quite a few years now.
why dont you just go inside the van and look down the back of the panels where they join and you will see the little indentations of where they are spot welded together, then buy a spot weld drill bit and drill them out ,that way they will come apart from each other.save you chopping with the saw.
quote:
Originally posted by woolfy
why dont you just go inside the van and look down the back of the panels where they join and you will see the little indentations of where they are spot welded together, then buy a spot weld drill bit and drill them out ,that way they will come apart from each other.save you chopping with the saw.
I did think about that, that must have been as far as I got, I have got to get a Spot Weld drill anyway and the Saw is a needed tool, so it will probably end up a combination of the two methods.
Originally posted by woolfy
why dont you just go inside the van and look down the back of the panels where they join and you will see the little indentations of where they are spot welded together, then buy a spot weld drill bit and drill them out ,that way they will come apart from each other.save you chopping with the saw.
I did think about that, that must have been as far as I got, I have got to get a Spot Weld drill anyway and the Saw is a needed tool, so it will probably end up a combination of the two methods.
Todays work:
Removed rotten section of side panel to suit the length of my new metal brake.
My first attempt at a repair section for the Commer with the new metal brake:
Here is the repair section in place. decided that tape would not be strong enough:
And tacked in place, including the hole where the rear cone used to be:
Again, more pictures for your perusal at my Photobucket account which should now be below this in my signature.
Excuse the welding, I only taught myself a month or so ago and the welder is currently running gasless due to the van being outside.
I need somebody (woolfy?) to make a repair section for me of the inside top part of the door pillar, two pieces, I have taken a picture of the piece in question on my photobucket site, but I will post a direct picture shortly.
I will probably remember more of what I wanted to say soon.
I think I am done for a bit
View the Commer resto pics here: http://s786.photobucket.com/albums/yy149/bazil1972/
Removed rotten section of side panel to suit the length of my new metal brake.
My first attempt at a repair section for the Commer with the new metal brake:
Here is the repair section in place. decided that tape would not be strong enough:
And tacked in place, including the hole where the rear cone used to be:
Again, more pictures for your perusal at my Photobucket account which should now be below this in my signature.
Excuse the welding, I only taught myself a month or so ago and the welder is currently running gasless due to the van being outside.
I need somebody (woolfy?) to make a repair section for me of the inside top part of the door pillar, two pieces, I have taken a picture of the piece in question on my photobucket site, but I will post a direct picture shortly.
I will probably remember more of what I wanted to say soon.
I think I am done for a bit
View the Commer resto pics here: http://s786.photobucket.com/albums/yy149/bazil1972/
quote:
Originally posted by Panky
New metal - doesn't it look good [^]
I like your approach to the job step by step and meticulous - not like my scatter-gun method :I
The main aim is to get the roof on and some strength back into the top half of the van.
I would ideally have liked to have made the side panel repair in one long section right to the seam at the front, but fingers crossed it will be ok.
I spend as much time thinking about my approach and how to attack each bit, watching guys like Martin Maltas cut out all the rot before putting anything back scares the living daylights out of me and as this is pretty much my first resto project I am making sure I do not get into any sticky situations (fingers and toes crossed).
I am going to repair all around the cone and then fit the rear cone, move over to the other rear corner and then replace the section above the back doors ready for the new roof gutter. Then finish the side panel repairs, Gutters on top and then hopefully I can put the roof straight on without any problems.
I am doing careful checks of measurements etc along the way and tacking points that may need to be re-jigged in the future.
View the Commer resto pics here: http://s786.photobucket.com/albums/yy149/bazil1972/
Originally posted by Panky
New metal - doesn't it look good [^]
I like your approach to the job step by step and meticulous - not like my scatter-gun method :I
The main aim is to get the roof on and some strength back into the top half of the van.
I would ideally have liked to have made the side panel repair in one long section right to the seam at the front, but fingers crossed it will be ok.
I spend as much time thinking about my approach and how to attack each bit, watching guys like Martin Maltas cut out all the rot before putting anything back scares the living daylights out of me and as this is pretty much my first resto project I am making sure I do not get into any sticky situations (fingers and toes crossed).
I am going to repair all around the cone and then fit the rear cone, move over to the other rear corner and then replace the section above the back doors ready for the new roof gutter. Then finish the side panel repairs, Gutters on top and then hopefully I can put the roof straight on without any problems.
I am doing careful checks of measurements etc along the way and tacking points that may need to be re-jigged in the future.
View the Commer resto pics here: http://s786.photobucket.com/albums/yy149/bazil1972/
Right, I have just posted a request in the Tips section, this is basically what I need making. I have tried making the "L" shaped /corner piece and it was not very sucessful because of the bend halfway and I would like it as close to original as possible.
Any willing volunteers?
View the Commer resto pics here: http://s786.photobucket.com/albums/yy149/bazil1972/
Any willing volunteers?
View the Commer resto pics here: http://s786.photobucket.com/albums/yy149/bazil1972/
I have just been sorting out stuff in my shed and so far I have found:
Roll of copper fuel line
Roll of copper brake line
Rubber fuel hose
Braided fuel lines
Fuel line clips
Facet Electric fuel pump
All brand new and also one of these:
I don't know whether to sell it or put it in the van. Its an old portable Sony Solid State Transistor TV from the 60's.
View the Commer resto pics here: http://s786.photobucket.com/albums/yy149/bazil1972/
Roll of copper fuel line
Roll of copper brake line
Rubber fuel hose
Braided fuel lines
Fuel line clips
Facet Electric fuel pump
All brand new and also one of these:
I don't know whether to sell it or put it in the van. Its an old portable Sony Solid State Transistor TV from the 60's.
View the Commer resto pics here: http://s786.photobucket.com/albums/yy149/bazil1972/
ouch to your rear corner [:0]
I'd keep the telly, really would look the part in a commer, bless it
Great work so far, and great to see you getting stuck in
Cazz...Is just Commer mad, and talks a load of nonsense
I'd keep the telly, really would look the part in a commer, bless it
Great work so far, and great to see you getting stuck in
Cazz...Is just Commer mad, and talks a load of nonsense