A Fug, wow how cool is that...a great project to do as father and son
I had a Fug 2 a few years back that I spent years transforming from its' rather sorry state to a V8-powered satsuma...and promptly drove 1500 km's down to Le Mans and back...a great car for putting a smile on both your face and those of onlookers...
I saw a post about seats...I managed to get hold of 2 S1 Lotus Elise seats for very little...they fit very nicely (at least into the Fug 2), potentially also with the runners if you really wanted them...
It's looking great, keep up the good work!
Thank you, it’s not incredibly practical if I’m honest, but does indeed put a smile on our faces, I’m sure it’s insane with a V8 (when I see cheap LS400s I do wonder how easy it would be to fit )
Cheers, heard Elise seats were narrow, will keep an eye out for really cheap ones, or probably a better idea is to see if we can measure some first
Just wanted to say thank you as this is one of the many threads that has kept me sane over the past few weeks. Loving the learning new skills along the way and the way Tom is gaining experience and is massively shaping the direction of this build. Hopefully when I have a sproglet he will be as keen to get involved and not want me to take him to football or something else terrible!
No, No... thank you for reading it
In case you hadn’t worked out, it is fairly holistic (which is a polite way of saying we don’t really have a plan and are just winging it )
Yeah, I’m not into football either, I think to start with he was probably fairly happy just to be doing stuff together, but now gets really into it (I caught him watching TIG welding videos the other night when I expected him to be playing two-weeks* or something)
*dad joke designed to annoy teenage kids
Last Edit: Nov 15, 2019 14:32:00 GMT by johnthesparky
Just wanted to say thank you as this is one of the many threads that has kept me sane over the past few weeks. Loving the learning new skills along the way and the way Tom is gaining experience and is massively shaping the direction of this build. Hopefully when I have a sproglet he will be as keen to get involved and not want me to take him to football or something else terrible!
No, No... thank you for reading it
In case you hadn’t worked out, it is fairly holistic (which is a polite way of saying we don’t really have a plan and are just winging it )
Yeah, I’m not into football either, I think to start with he was probably fairly happy just to be doing stuff together, but now gets really into it (I caught him watching TIG welding videos the other night when I expected him to be playing two-weeks* or something)
*dad joke designed to annoy teenage kids
No problem, it has been an interesting and entertaining read! Haha well I’m glad you gave an explanation there or else google would have been used. I think that’s usually the best way and I tend to find hindsight is the biggest issue with any of my builds and I end up doing things twice! That’s awesome and good on him. I think you’re not far from me if I remember reading it right......you’re Winchester (?) and I’m in Andover, so if you need any help with the TIG side of things I’d be happy to help as I’d consider myself an average to proficient tig welder and would be happy to help the next generation of tinkerers 👍. Obviously feel free to tell me to sod off if you wanna learn together by having a play and using the wealth of knowledge on YouTube.
Ahh sorry that’d be my awful memory mixing up threads. Well I’ll still happily help with anything I can do....feel free to send pictures over or any tips I can help with just let me know 👍.
So... worked this morning, now babysitting my nephews (not alone obviously, they aren’t completely stupid!! )
Got to work tomorrow morning too.....
But just snuck out into the garage, set up the tig and had a quick play
It is what it is But it is 2 bits of ally welded together!!
I popped into Mark and took some bits of steel and ally from his scrap bin in the week, so hopefully a bit more playing tomorrow, and Tom May get a go too
Last Edit: Nov 16, 2019 19:29:33 GMT by johnthesparky
Thank you, it’s not incredibly practical if I’m honest, but does indeed put a smile on our faces, I’m sure it’s insane with a V8 (when I see cheap LS400s I do wonder how easy it would be to fit )
Cheers, heard Elise seats were narrow, will keep an eye out for really cheap ones, or probably a better idea is to see if we can measure some first
Haha, no I wouldn't exactly call a Fug practical! But as you said, it's a real fun car to drive. The V8 was nuts, you could almost wheely the thing down the road...but I think it's better with something that revs a bit higher...depends on what floats your boat, I guess. The task of fitting wasn't too tragic, but it does bring some complications. I used a Renault UN1 transaxle with a custom bellhousing and clutch which wasn't exactly cheap. The UN1 has a differential that you can reverse, which is necessary otherwise you'd have 5 reverse gears and just 1 forward One of the biggest problems is where to fit the necessary radiator(s)...an engine like this doesn't exactly leave much space. ...and then converting the rear to disc brakes with all that weight over the rear wheels. I managed to get some nice ally bracktery gubbins from a chap in Australia and fitted calipers from a Golf 4 I seem to remember.
1968 Cal Look Beetle - 2007cc motor - 14.45@93mph in full street trim 1970-ish Karmann Beetle cabriolet - project soon to be re-started. 1986 Scirocco - big plans, one day!
That rail will be interesting too! I’ll have to keep a look out for next update
Well, got an hour this evening. Going to make a bench to work at, as tig welding standing up makes it a lot harder
Tried on some ally first, Tom struggled but I managed this
And then set up for steel (using the R-Tech you tube video) Think steel was easier, and was quieter
Tom struggled a bit with a fillet, so just welded some blobs
Which I think is good for about 20 minutes of trying! I did a little bit 17 years ago, welding stainless scraps together on late shifts when I was shift sparky at an abattoir
Don’t worry, I’ll not keep posting every time we do a bit of welding (but any advice is welcome) Might get and do something to the Fug soon too
Last Edit: Nov 17, 2019 19:56:12 GMT by johnthesparky
Blue skys most of the day, but the wind howls across the yard a bit!
Checked out the blocked idle circuit on #4 Found a blocked jet, it wouldn’t clear with our can of air
so we put a airline on it, and got to see Charlie’s newest toy
Which has a petrol boxer engine to start the 4 cylinder diesel
Put it back together, and Tom wrapped up warm
And took it up the road, first time we’ve driven it with the smaller rear tyres and it picks up so quick (if you can get the traction) rev limiter on the pertronix set to 5000rpm
Not much progress, but got a tube notcher for Christmas
(The TIG welder was also Christmas pressie from my wife, but that didn’t get wrapped as we’d already started playing with it )
Needs a bit of setting up (it’s slightly off, assume it’s the clamp part that needs moving... but it was a cheapish one so not surprised, anyway really pleased with it
Welding needs some mire practice But there is a glimmer of tidy welding in there
The rest of it is.... erm.... functional!
We’ve also been and moved all the Corsa spares at the farm, so if the weather is favourable then going to drive over to Stony Stratford on New Year’s Day.... so fingers crossed! Happy new year.
Last Edit: Dec 28, 2019 16:17:07 GMT by johnthesparky
Are you using a button or pedal with the TIG? Looks like a button to me which will make it a little more difficult to start with but certainly not impossible. Looks like the gas needs to be turned up a little maybe.......move slower at the start and when welding steel try to keep the rod in the shielding gas to help with laying new metal in there. It needs to be very clean with good fit up to get the best chance of a “pretty” weld. The key is practice and persistence, try to support your hand as much as possible and always make sure you’re comfortable and relaxed, even doing a couple of dry runs to make sure you can smoothly flow along while welding.......I really hope this makes sense, it always sounds right in my head but can’t seem to transfer that to writing haha!
Are you using a button or pedal with the TIG? Looks like a button to me which will make it a little more difficult to start with but certainly not impossible. Looks like the gas needs to be turned up a little maybe.......move slower at the start and when welding steel try to keep the rod in the shielding gas to help with laying new metal in there. It needs to be very clean with good fit up to get the best chance of a “pretty” weld. The key is practice and persistence, try to support your hand as much as possible and always make sure you’re comfortable and relaxed, even doing a couple of dry runs to make sure you can smoothly flow along while welding.......I really hope this makes sense, it always sounds right in my head but can’t seem to transfer that to writing haha!
Using a pedal so it’s worse than you thought
We still haven’t sorted a bench, so we’re using a stool to sit on and the 2 boxes as bench... but though better still not ideal. I did struggle to support my hand and find a way to move through the arc to move around the tube... so do know what you mean.
I’ve done a bit of TIG years ago, and I have done over the years quite a bit of soldering which though different helps I think. Tom struggled a bit more, but is picking it up... the tungsten went swimming quite a few times
As mentioned above, a fundamental requirement with TIG is ensuring that everything is absolutely scrupulously clean so that when wiped with acetone nothing comes off on the cloth. Anything less results in contamination of the weld pool and the electrode. Everything needs to be cleaned with Scotchbright pads to a near polish and then washed in acetone. Frontside Backside Inside and Out spotlessly clean.
As mentioned above, a fundamental requirement with TIG is ensuring that everything is absolutely scrupulously clean so that when wiped with acetone nothing comes off on the cloth. Anything less results in contamination of the weld pool and the electrode. Everything needs to be cleaned with Scotchbright pads to a near polish and then washed in acetone. Frontside Backside Inside and Out spotlessly clean.
Gave it a wipe over but need to clean it a lot more then! Tom welded 2 bits of scrap together and was struggling to get an arc on one of the pieces... I thought it was probably contaminated, but we were packing up by then
Well I certainly wouldn’t be disheartened if I was Tom, it takes a hell of a lot of practice or it did me at least. You’ll get it with time, a nice chair with a good bench would certainly make things easier......plus a decent brew 👍. Steel is easier to practice on as it’s less fussy with the angle of the torch and when adding filler. You can even lay the filler wire and simply melt over it slowly and smoothly to start with.....but “dabbing a nice stack of coins” is always more satisfying and a stronger weld. Aluminium however requires patience when adding filler and a little more foot control so takes a bit more time to master.....it’s also bloody noisy in comparison to the peaceful sound of the gas flow when welding steel. If you can’t tell (stainless)steel is my favourite haha...... Good luck with it and feel free to message if I can help at all.
Are you using a button or pedal with the TIG? Looks like a button to me which will make it a little more difficult to start with but certainly not impossible. Looks like the gas needs to be turned up a little maybe.......move slower at the start and when welding steel try to keep the rod in the shielding gas to help with laying new metal in there. It needs to be very clean with good fit up to get the best chance of a “pretty” weld. The key is practice and persistence, try to support your hand as much as possible and always make sure you’re comfortable and relaxed, even doing a couple of dry runs to make sure you can smoothly flow along while welding.......I really hope this makes sense, it always sounds right in my head but can’t seem to transfer that to writing haha!
Using a pedal so it’s worse than you thought
We still haven’t sorted a bench, so we’re using a stool to sit on and the 2 boxes as bench... but though better still not ideal. I did struggle to support my hand and find a way to move through the arc to move around the tube... so do know what you mean.
I’ve done a bit of TIG years ago, and I have done over the years quite a bit of soldering which though different helps I think. Tom struggled a bit more, but is picking it up... the tungsten went swimming quite a few times
Also try flipping the lead over the top of your arm instead of underneath it to take weight off of the torch and make it more comfortable to do a run.......that is only an opinion of course, feel free to do what feels the most comfortable to yourselves. Still majorly impressed by Tom, good on him getting in there as always.
Yeah I’ve sacked ally off for now as it sounds so angry and messes with your concentration. I had some chores to do yesterday, so left Tom to play and kept checking in... couldn’t tell he was actually welding until I was right up close
