VW Beetle (first attempt)

[KennyA]

This is my first real car project. i'm currently serving my time as a plater and normally work with 1000s of tons of steel and 50+mm thick steel so this is a little different. Here goes, any comments are welcome, the more feedback the better as i need to learn. i'm currently using a clarke 160TM.

Heres some photos.

before

after

before

after

before

after

Next bits to look at are

I've still to tidy the welds up a little bit with grinder and maybe need to go over a couple of areas again. started off a little weary but getting a bit more confident. My biggest problem is getting a neat area cut out. Bought one of the air cut off tools, but don't think my compressor is big enough.

cheers
Kenny

 

[KennyA]

and another one

cheers
kenny

 

[the snooper]

it looks like you are using a pub bottle from your picture pure co2, you would get a better weld with argon mix but it does cost more

 

[brightspark]

I've still to tidy the welds up a little bit with grinder and maybe need to go over a couple of areas again. started off a little weary but getting a bit more confident. My biggest problem is getting a neat area cut out. Bought one of the air cut off tools, but don't think my compressor is big enough.

cheers
Kenny

use a 4inch angle grinder with a 1mm slitting disk it will get in most places tighter ones use a dremmel

 

[KennyA]

cheers for the replies, yeah its just a pub bottle, cost me £10 where as the argon mix was closer to £100.
its a 5" i'm using just now as i get the discs for free so easier but may invest in 4" grinder for the tighter areas.

cheers
kenny

 

[keithski122]

Air hacksaw is very good, my cut off tool has only come into its own now we hace a high powered hydravane compressor.

 

[theveryman]

HI Kenny
Nice wee project your working on I can lend you a half size bottle
of argoshield light if you want it just give me a bell its Joe from dunfermline

 

[jungle]

ahhh a fellow fifer lol looks like its had a hell of a welding in its time :O

 

[KennyA]

cheers for the offer joe, can you get any other bottles? use it quite a lot. hows your project getting on?

yeah jungle had a lot all ready, the panels on left side of seat are coming out and getting replaced with repair panel. where you from jungle?

 

[german8rcoupe]

I would replace that whole front quarter. Looks like it has been accident damaged before. The complete panels are not that expensive and they only need spot welded in place.

 

[KennyA]

I would replace that whole front quarter. Looks like it has been accident damaged before. The complete panels are not that expensive and they only need spot welded in place.

was going to but panel is £195.

Its my brothers project and hes funding it so wont pay that. asked him but not up for it haha

 

[troppo]

I was going to say your a brave man taking something that bad on as a first project, now i know its for your brother i`d say your even braver lol. That thing has so many dodgy patches and questionable repairs most people would have run like hell on first inspection. Good luck mate and keep us updated with your progress this looks like one to keep an eye on.

 

[jungle]

cheers for the offer joe, can you get any other bottles? use it quite a lot. hows your project getting on?

yeah jungle had a lot all ready, the panels on left side of seat are coming out and getting replaced with repair panel. where you from jungle?

sounds good , stay in leven, but from glenrothes