welding needed, anyone want to practice?

[merc]

my van could do with some welding on the roof, doesnt have to be neat because you cant see it from the ground. but i want it waterproof.
see this webpage:
http://www.weld1.webs.com
and its all straight lines. located swansea

 

[weldingscotty803]

looks like a nice job for some one. is there curvature on the roof, think there will be. that will be a nice job for some tinsnips lol. if you was closer mate i woud do it for ya. looks like it might take around 4 hours max with the right tools.. plus they will need a long torch lead lol

atb getting it done mate

scott
ps put some approximate sizes on and they could be fabbed off site before hand to save messing

 

[merc]

.. plus they will need a long torch lead lol

atb getting it done mate

scott
ps put some approximate sizes on and they could be fabbed off site before hand to save messing

torch lead neednt be very long because there is a platform below the skylight you can stand on and stand up thru, and i will get some measurements. thanks for the offer

 

[simon718]

possibly better doing it from the roof, maybe a bit awkward leaning over? although there is the question of lost strength in that area of the roof? no need for a long torch lead just a (decent) extension lead and gas extension hose?

 

[merc]

although there is the question of lost strength in that area of the roof?

(the skylight hole is already there!) and it needs the edge welding on to stop the rain dripping in

 

[gordon stephenson]

Hi,
I know this is a welding forum, But the easiest method would be to make the rim either from angle iron or fabricate angles from metal sheet and weld up the corners, THEN fix to van roof with pop rivets with mastic between the mating faces,Job done and without burning any paintwork, Just a thought.

Cheers Gordon.

 

[merc]

Hi,
I know this is a welding forum, But the easiest method would be to make the rim either from angle iron or fabricate angles from metal sheet and weld up the corners, THEN fix to van roof with pop rivets with mastic between the mating faces,Job done and without burning any paintwork, Just a thought.

Cheers Gordon.

are you sure?, i just want it waterproof. whats the mastic and where do i get it? but i'd still need a lid

 

[simon718]

(the skylight hole is already there!) and it needs the edge welding on to stop the rain dripping in

apologies just seen the link

theres not gonna be much force on it i would imagine gordons suggestion would work fine

 

[merc]

Hi,
I know this is a welding forum, But the easiest method would be to make the rim either from angle iron or fabricate angles from metal sheet and weld up the corners, THEN fix to van roof with pop rivets with mastic between the mating faces,Job done and without burning any paintwork, Just a thought.

Cheers Gordon.

i get the feeling that rivets just provide extra holes for the rain to eventually get thru, and i am getting a respray soon so i'd prefer it welded

 

[gordon stephenson]

Hello merc,
Good quality silicone mastic would be fine, the rivet holes would be automaticaly sealed, Just make sure you use the blind type rivets (where the holes do not go right through,the lid could be made by yourself or any local fab shop, Just a thought, check up on caravan skylight sizes,you may be able to make the lip size to suit, then you would have light and ventilation. Good luck.

Cheers Gordon.

 

[N2ae86]

Just a suggestion - why not use fibreglass?

Basically take a mould from an area of the roof that dosnt have the hole cut in it. To do this lay down some quality masking tape, over lap the seams, then cross back over the masking tape to make sure you have a good barrier between the roof. Mask a larger area than you need.

Then get some resin and chop mat, lay down the chop matt and dab away - build it up as thick as you want.

Let it dry.

Peel the now hardened frp panel away from the van roof, and remove the masking tape from the frp. You now have a frp plug moulded to the vans roof line which you can use to cover the hole.

Trim the resulting frp panel to size (make it over size for the hole). Clean the area around the hole with thinners - a light key on the outer edges of the frp plug. Then get some stixal, or some black windscreen sealant - stick it down.


Will set water tight, wont require welding and you can get the bits from halfords. If you feel flash get a clear resin - then it can act as a sun roof.

 

[N2ae86]

To give you an idea of how easy it is to do, here is what I did on my car (its for a relocated fuel filler - I wanted a removable FRP panel)

1 hole

Masked

Lay down

Hardened plug with masking tape removed

Cut to shape

 

[Ragnarok]

you'd be better off making the frame up and pop riveting it to the roof as gordon stephenson said, just get a tube of silicon sealant (the adhesive ones are best) weld up the frame and pop rivet it on, that's how i'd do it anyway.