This sucks

[WazOz]

Many thanks Paul, have got the new metal for patches, was going to use the hood for patches but went the other way with slightly thicker gauge, thanks for all the advice, may be some chance of saving it, looking into getting another Helmet, the One I have, (new) auto darkening etc was an Ebay purchase and I can hardly see through the lens before striking, even with a powerful light behind me, in Oz they are either too damned expensive or so cheap they are a waste, read that many Helmet reviews and like many it gets harder, can only afford around $100, that search is underway :-).
Thanks again

 

[troppo]

G`day Waz
gotta hate the hilux roofs down here lol. I`d say strip back planty past the repair, at least 6 inches, so you know you have clean steel inside and out. Then make up a repair patch that is slightly larger than the hole, place that inside the roof and weld it in place using good tacks, NOT stitches. It will take longer but you wont get the blow through you will if you try to stitch it in place. Do your tacks on opposing sides, think of a clock face, and tack in the 12, 6, 3and 9 oclock positions then start again an inch or so further round the patch. Doing it like this will minimise your heat distortion by not concentrating it in one area, and where possible dont have any sharp corners, they only concentrate the heat in the point of the corner. Its not a show car so you dont need a metal finish, a light coat of bog will do the trick.
Cheers mate
Troppo

 

[WazOz]

Thanks troppo, will see if it is possible to underlay the new sheet, if I can then I may be able to Seam seal from behind, easy access to spray Picklex or fisholene to prevent rust ever coming back.
BY the way, what Helemt do you use, can get a Unimg, or a Northen Toold One deliverd here from the US, $86 all up, Unimig is just over $100.
Thanks
Waz

 

[troppo]

BY the way, what Helemt do you use, can get a Unimg, or a Northen Toold One deliverd here from the US, $86 all up, Unimig is just over $100.
Thanks
Waz

I`ve got a Techmen lid for use at home that i used at work for years, cost me less than $80 back then, varying shade 9-13 and solar powered so no battery replacing. Now i use a CIG Weldskill for work, adjustable shade, sensitivity and delay, got it on special from a welding supplier here in Adelaide on special for $100. Never had a problem with either one and i can still see with both eyes lol. I`ve had fewer problems with those two lids than guys i`ve worked with that spent $700 on a lid.
Just make sure you get one with 2 sensors on it. Go to a welding supplies place, not BOC or CIG agents if you can avoid it. Theres a mob here in Adelaide called Total Tools that always has specials and there will be the same sort of thing where you are unless your living out bush.

 

[WazOz]

Cheers for that, not in the Bush, Hr South from Perth, will look for those helmets, the One I have is a no namer, Ebay Cigweld $79.95
Cigweld Weldskill helmet auto darkening varaible shade
How good is it when not welding, before striking?

 

[troppo]

Its pretty good all in all, i`m thinking about putting a LED light on it for working in darker areas (i`m a motor body builder, work on trucks) but i`ve never had a problem with it. Mine has a Grinding setting which stops it darkening but prefer to use safety glasses. Really its up to individual preferences but i`m happy with it

 

[WazOz]

Thanks Troppo, read some reviews and they seem good, Ebay here I come lol

 

[troppo]

Good luck mate.

 

[octo0072000]

try this site for more info

try this site
http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/forum/

for more info on hilux surfs etc have the similar roof panel you may get more help on here for parts also with the auto helmet try fixing a old towel or tee shirt over the top of the helmet so it covers your head and neck like these see link

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=+d..._gc.r_pw.&fp=864c1b8249839c55&biw=933&bih=555

have fun it's just practice

 

[WazOz]

Thanks Octo, am looking through the Surf site now, and the hat idea is good
All good info from ppl here, thumbs up
Waz

 

[octo0072000]

stitching screws

Thanks Octo, am looking through the Surf site now, and the hat idea is good
All good info from ppl here, thumbs up
Waz

with auto helmets you find you get reflections in from the back of the mask
also florescent lights don't help auto masks either you need good old fashioned 100watt light bulbs a good light near your work and no reflections and you might find your auto mask works better also for making sure the panels are touching each other use self drilling TEK screws for roofing
link to the ones you want are called stitching screws just weld it up the remove the screws and weld up the holes works on blind bits that you cant get to the back of

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200-TEK-S...Ceilings_Walls_Roofing_ET&hash=item2c5090b417