Holding Brackets For Welding

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi;

I am trying to find a way of holding brackets in place for welding where they cannot be held with a pair of Mole Grips or Clamp.

The brackets in question are the Rear Arch to Boot Floor Support Brackets on a classic Mini (the ones that the Rear Subframe Rear Mounting Bolts go through). The others are the Rear Valance Closing Panels.

Can anyone offer any tips on how to hold both of these brackets in place tightly for welding.

I will be fitting the Rear Arch to Boot Floor Brackets first and will bolt them in place (which may be enough)? The Rear Valance Closing Panels will also be bolted in place but is there a way of getting them tighter.

I will be Plug and Seam Welding them and I think a trick is to put a few holes straight through and hold with a special pin can't remember what they are called and can someone provide a good source (Ebay or the like)?



Thanks

 

[the snooper]

you can get magnetic clamps which work sometimes and they are adjustable

 

[cumbriasteve]

Magnetic clamps, bottle jack, length of wedged in timber,even an idiot mate who does not mind getting burnt comes in useful.

 

[the snooper]

Magnetic clamps, bottle jack, length of wedged in timber,even an idiot mate who does not mind getting burnt comes in useful.

and most of us have used all the above and more at some point

 

[Fazerruss]

Hi;

I am trying to find a way of holding brackets in place for welding where they cannot be held with a pair of Mole Grips or Clamp.

The brackets in question are the Rear Arch to Boot Floor Support Brackets on a classic Mini (the ones that the Rear Subframe Rear Mounting Bolts go through). The others are the Rear Valance Closing Panels.

Can anyone offer any tips on how to hold both of these brackets in place tightly for welding.

I will be fitting the Rear Arch to Boot Floor Brackets first and will bolt them in place (which may be enough)? The Rear Valance Closing Panels will also be bolted in place but is there a way of getting them tighter.

I will be Plug and Seam Welding them and I think a trick is to put a few holes straight through and hold with a special pin can't remember what they are called and can someone provide a good source (Ebay or the like)?



Thanks

You may be thinking of cleco's

 

[Robotstar5]

Self tappers, then plug weld the holes after.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

You may be thinking of cleco's

That's the ones, thanks

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Self tappers, then plug weld the holes after.

Thanks, that's another option, I have a tub of Self Tappers somewhere stashed away in my Garage :-)

 

[JonnyAlpha]

Tried the 'Self Tapper' method this afternoon, bloomin brilliant, many thanks :-)

 

[droopsnoot]

At the top of the photo, the piece of angle iron welded to the flat plate that has the bolts in it - is that some kind of "spit" mounting, or is it part of the car?

Only reason I ask, and a bit late now, but if it's part of the car, did you put some paint between the two faces before fixing it in place? If it isn't, please ignore the question. I don't know Minis so I can't visualise where you are.

 

[JonnyAlpha]

At the top of the photo, the piece of angle iron welded to the flat plate that has the bolts in it - is that some kind of "spit" mounting, or is it part of the car?

Only reason I ask, and a bit late now, but if it's part of the car, did you put some paint between the two faces before fixing it in place? If it isn't, please ignore the question. I don't know Minis so I can't visualise where you are.

Droopsnoot;

Thanks for caring :-) No fear its a Jig that I made up for the Rear Subframe to ensure that the Subframe mounting points in the Heelboard are in the correct position.

The photo is taken from underneath RH side looking forward.