johnl
Part of things
Posts: 20 
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I'm always curious what you're up too. I saw a show today Mega Factories on the Jaguar factory where they were stamping panels, not too different to what you're doing.
Have you thought about making an aluminum version of the rx2 vented bonnet, there's a money spinner !
I look at your efforts and the cost of materials and time which have probably exceeded the value of the completed car in one small panel that is yet to be completed lol
My coupe is no different, made no sense to a sane person to repair. Now that it's done there are no regrets so I know where you're coming from. Makes it that more enjoyable that the impossible has been accomplished when you sit there and turn the starter key.
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Material costs for that tool are just under £150. Time.... Well let's put it this way. My average Mileage is 3 pints and hour in the pub. This tool has kept me out of it for months, so I have saved thousands !
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Feb 20, 2016 17:12:56 GMT
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Pulled out all the bits for the front coilovers today  Made a mandrel to press the bushes in  That done I pressed them back together  Worked out alright  Just need to sort out the top mounts  |
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Feb 21, 2016 17:28:34 GMT
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Excuse my ignorance in this, you clearly know what you're doing as the last 31 pages demonstrate, but I thought with that type of coilover you were meant to weld them to finish them off ?
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2001 Micra 998 - Daily
1986 Mini Mayfair 998 - Former Daily - Garaged
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Feb 21, 2016 17:43:29 GMT
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They are not sleeves that you weld to the existing strut. The original sleeves were pressed out the stub axles,these I made to suit and pressed them back in. They are not a generic one size doesn't fit anything type of kit ! Specifically made to suit these inserts and stub axles.
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heathrobinson
Part of things
Broken everything
Posts: 848
Club RR Member Number: 111
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Feb 21, 2016 18:18:53 GMT
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They are not sleeves that you weld to the existing strut. The original sleeves were pressed out the stub axles,these I made to suit and pressed them back in. They are not a generic one size doesn't fit anything type of kit ! Specifically made to suit these inserts and stub axles. Well there's a surprise.... Johnnybravo in bespoke creation shocker |
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Feb 21, 2016 18:52:17 GMT
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Most ball joints are also just pressed in... I see no issue here  And speaking of issues; if you should ever have issues with pressing a curved panel. Here's a neat solution from the professionals:  Hahaha!  |
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Feb 21, 2016 19:24:45 GMT
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Most ball joints are also just pressed in... I see no issue here And speaking of issues; if you should ever have issues with pressing a curved panel. Here's a neat solution from the professionals: Hahaha! You trade your Mercedes in for a BMW ?  |
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Feb 21, 2016 19:28:03 GMT
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I guess I transformed someone elses Mercedes into a BMW...   Not mine. All good |
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Feb 22, 2016 10:57:39 GMT
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They are not sleeves that you weld to the existing strut. The original sleeves were pressed out the stub axles,these I made to suit and pressed them back in. They are not a generic one size doesn't fit anything type of kit ! Specifically made to suit these inserts and stub axles. Well there's a surprise.... Johnnybravo in bespoke creation shocker Yep I should have known better - keep doing what you're doing and I'll keep appreciating the awesome! |
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2001 Micra 998 - Daily
1986 Mini Mayfair 998 - Former Daily - Garaged
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Feb 22, 2016 13:06:37 GMT
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Impressive as always mate.
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Feb 27, 2016 19:20:59 GMT
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Haven't disappeared off the face of the earth. Just got a lot on my plate at the moment. No time spent on the Mazda. But,have started sorting out the electricity and light situation in the garage. Getting closer to getting her home....  Garage a total shambles. Busy installing 4 more double 5ft light fittings. Then it's plug time.... |
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tom132
Part of things
Posts: 78
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Feb 29, 2016 12:08:52 GMT
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I attempted to register on this forum just to reply to this thread and say how utterly in awe I am of it all, apparently I already have a profile though- who knew!
Anyway; I am utterly in awe of this build, of all the build threads I have spent time pouring over (many hours lost which could have been spent on my own car!) This has to be the most in depth and genuinely mind blowing. It's one thing to spend hours and hours sourcing panels from all over the world (which you have also done!) but to actually form your own tooling and make perfect panels. Wow.
I'll stop swooning now!
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sherv
Part of things
BEAMS VVTi Powered 1987 ST162 Celica ..More power.Better brakes.Coilover suspension.Still 80's Cool.
Posts: 80
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Feb 29, 2016 20:14:16 GMT
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Having spent a long time reading through this more than epic build,I don't suppose there's much more to add that everyone else hasn't already posted.The skills you have and the way that you apply them to adapt along the way to do your problem solving is hugely impressive,and you also have a great way of writing all this up,very informative and not a small amount of humour and anecdotes thrown into the mix make it a great read!Really enjoyable and frighteningly educational too.My cap is doffed to you Sir.I'm Maidstone area myself BTW.
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,965
Club RR Member Number: 71
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Feb 29, 2016 21:09:49 GMT
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Haven't disappeared off the face of the earth. Just got a lot on my plate at the moment. No time spent on the Mazda. But,have started sorting out the electricity and light situation in the garage. Getting closer to getting her home.... Garage a total shambles. Busy installing 4 more double 5ft light fittings. Then it's plug time.... I laughed when I saw the Ex compressor tank - I have the same one that I picked up for £50 a while back - Standing it on one end was my original plan but with an engine crane I managed to park it in the loft out of the way. I do plan to plumb it in as an additional reservoir one day as it doubles my air capacity |
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Feb 29, 2016 21:21:58 GMT
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I laughed when I saw the Ex compressor tank - I have the same one that I picked up for £50 a while back - Standing it on one end was my original plan but with an engine crane I managed to park it in the loft out of the way. I do plan to plumb it in as an additional reservoir one day as it doubles my air capacity the difference here is he made that tank from scratch using rabbits tears and vintage mohawk feathers, it only looks like a compressor tank due to the shade of red paint. Its not for compressed air anyway, its gonna be the main furnace for a biomass boiler, which combined with ground heat source pump in the garden will keep a bank of Li-po battery arays in the garage topped up, and in turn operate electric rams to individually open the draws on that mobile cabinet, remotely, from the living room, via a new app he is writing for android |
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Last Edit: Feb 29, 2016 21:23:03 GMT by darrenh
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bstardchild
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,965
Club RR Member Number: 71
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I laughed when I saw the Ex compressor tank - I have the same one that I picked up for £50 a while back - Standing it on one end was my original plan but with an engine crane I managed to park it in the loft out of the way. I do plan to plumb it in as an additional reservoir one day as it doubles my air capacity the difference here is he made that tank from scratch using rabbits tears and vintage mohawk feathers, it only looks like a compressor tank due to the shade of red paint. Its not for compressed air anyway, its gonna be the main furnace for a biomass boiler, which combined with ground heat source pump in the garden will keep a bank of Li-po battery arays in the garage topped up, and in turn operate electric rams to individually open the draws on that mobile cabinet, remotely, from the living room, via a new app he is writing for android I wasn't thinking when I wrote the post - what you've said is obvious now  |
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Thanks for the kind words ,guys .
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Haven't disappeared off the face of the earth. Just got a lot on my plate at the moment. No time spent on the Mazda. But,have started sorting out the electricity and light situation in the garage. Getting closer to getting her home.... Garage a total shambles. Busy installing 4 more double 5ft light fittings. Then it's plug time.... Your human? |
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heathrobinson
Part of things
Broken everything
Posts: 848
Club RR Member Number: 111
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Nope, but his disguise is pretty good
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Not mine. All good 
