TIG welding services in Cumbria?

[gasket999]

Hi folks.

Just got myself (another) Land Rover for restoration. I'm tentatively aiming for this one to be competitive at show level. I plan on posting the whole rebuild online.

Historically I've replaced parts, but this time I'm going to salvage and refurb original components.

As such there will be quite a few opportunities for the original aluminium/Birmabright panels to be reused providing I can find someone who can undertake the TIG welding for me. Mostly this will involve "letting in" fresh aluminium to replace that lost through electrolytic corrossion/isolated damage - I'll be aiming for near invisible repairs.

If possible I'd like to line up a welder in advance so that I can keep this in mind during teardown - the rebuild is scheduled to take 6-9 months and is starting on Saturday.

I can deal with a mobile welder who could ideally come to my workshop in West Cumbria or if needs be, I am happy to trailer the parts to you.

In an ideal world I'm looking for a enthusiastic forum member who can carry out the work at a reasonable cost - but I am a bit of a perfectionist, so looking for near-perfect welds.

I'm happy to take care of any preparation/repair patches/to help on the day(s) or leave you to do it at your leisure.

If anyone can help, please let me know here or send me a PM.

Thank you.

 

[madkayaker]

new panels are easy to come by rather than repairing as getting the panels clean enough for TIG or MIG is likely to be near imposable. what parts are gone?

 

[gasket999]

Won't know till I strip it but inevitably the tub floor and top hats'll have corrosion, the rear wing stays, edges of seat base flange and edges of floor plates, etc. Nothing dramatic but worth a repair if I can find a good welder.

Unfortunately all the above aren't easily replaceable - and 2nd hand spares won't be any better, even examples from a hot climate will still have some corrosion unless they've never seen rain.

Its no drama tho - all the repairs are easily doable and give good results with TIG so it'll be a straightforward job for anyone competent with a TIG torch.

You are absolutely right tho, in most instances (door skins, transmission tunnel, wings and bonnet, etc) it is easier to source replacement panels than to repair.

The other thing to consider is that most replacement panels now are made exclusively by Britpart with only a few available from Genuine Parts or suppliers with a good reputation like Bearmach. As I wouldn't have a Britpart part on any of my Land Rovers, I'd sooner spend more money refurbishing the original.

I had a good read of your Lightweight thread this morning, bloody good read - how are you getting on with it? I did a lightweight about 5 years ago, fantastic thing to work on as the panels were so easy to work on (upper bulkhead panel aside).

 

[madkayaker]

there is a few pictures i have put up the evening that shows state of play as it is. brakes kind of done (need to bleed them when coluges get back from holidays to lend a hand!) and once the pile of electrical bits lands tomorrow then i can get the wireing pritty much finished once i put in a ignition warning light i can run the engine proper without killing alternator

 

[gasket999]

the very best of luck with it mate - i'll keep an eye out for pics.

The one I've just bought has a home-made dash and massacred wiring , need to find a rare early SIII dash and budget for a new Autosparks loom before i even start.

 

[madkayaker]

I'm making my own loom as i have the wiring diagram and there is only 50 ish wires! what engine has it got in

 

[Shox Dr]

Give Dom a call at LR Series
REAR-BODY-FLOOR-CROSSMEMBER in stock genuine part £23.99

 

[gasket999]

I've dealt with LR Series a few times, always found them a good source of Genuine Parts.

Its the aluminium channel that goes under the tub that I expect to need repair. The steel floor crossmembers (which sit under the alloy ones) I can repair with MIG and send for galv or easily source a replacement. It is true that most of the damaged parts can be replaced with repair panels from Landy Bits/YRM metal solutions/etc, and a replacement floor could be riveted in rather than TIG and I could put up with the chewed up edges of the seatbase and floor panels and I can replace other bits with new...

But I'd much rather repair what I have where possible - there's about a dozen other small jobs I would like to be TIG'd, many on my other Landy.

As explained, this is a preemptive hunt for a welder to work with throughout this restoration so that when I come across the inevitable problems I have the option of a TIG repair as well as the option to replace.

So I'm still looking for a good TIG welder in Cumbria folks, if anyone can recommend one I'd appreciate it.

 

[gasket999]

Oh sorry mate, its a 2.25 petrol. Its a '72 SIII but its had a Genuine factory exchange engine at some point in the last 10 years or so - I'd rather it was the original lump but its better than one from the wrong car even if it does have some metric bits.