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Time to get finger out!

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3 years 9 months ago - 3 years 9 months ago #211945 by Dave_64
Well, after a hiatus which could possibly be compared to the gestation period of an elephant or a blue whale, thought it was about time to "get the digit out", with this Karrier Bantam, a longer saga than "Blue Hills"!
Sent the cab out for sandblasting, knowing full well it was going to expose a bit more than I may like to see. Yep!
In the meantime, bought that Karrier that was put up here about 5-6 weeks ago, and with all the bumph and hype, arrived this Tuesday just gone. Lot worse than I first envisioned, but still a far better propisition than the original shed. Cupla attached photos of both.
The rolling chassis in the shed has been going and driveable (except for no picks) for quite a while now, so time to get fair dinkum with the cabin.
New one had been stored in a container somewhere up around Healsville when the fires went through there about 3-4 years ago. Just about completely cooked it, yet still plenty of goodies worth salvaging. Truck had been sold and ended up at Casino NSW, when it was offered again. I did a private deal with the owner which included him organising the transport down to Central Vic.
So, its here now and I suppose next task will be to rip the cabin off and get it blasted as well. New one has the 16x750 wheels standard, my originals were 13X600.
Tipper body is the higher sided but shorter version of the original one I had, (since sold) and is not real brilliant, may get into it with the gas axe and trim it down to floor level get a few extra gussets put in it, a false coaming rail and just leave it as a tipping tray, probably never get used as a load carrier again, not by me anyway. You can see how hot the interior got even inside the container, when the fire went through, melted quite a few pieces, but I have most of them covered. The die cast door handles all but melted away, striker plates gone, door skins and all tracks etc. Luckily had salvaged most of the parts off the original cab before having it blasted. See if I can add a few snaps.

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Last edit: 3 years 9 months ago by Gryphon.
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3 years 9 months ago #211946 by Dave_64
Replied by Dave_64 on topic Time to get finger out!
Dunno what happened there? Try again
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3 years 9 months ago #211948 by Dave_64
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3 years 9 months ago #211949 by Dave_64
Replied by Dave_64 on topic Time to get finger out!
I know it looks a bit chatty, but the cabin that went through the fire is in far better condition than the one that had been sandblasted. All the gussetts under the floor were all eaten out with rust, NOT insurmountable for someone who can weld OK, with a mig, I am useless, and have already blown holes everywhere in the mudguards.
Reckon this newer cab should come up OK, has the odd ding in it, but structually sound. Only way to tell is hit it with the blaster and ask the bloke to be as gentle as he can with it.
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3 years 8 months ago #211957 by cobbadog
Replied by cobbadog on topic Time to get finger out!
Dave you have a treasure there waiting for more love and now it's happening.
Can I suggest that you take some time and sit down on YouTube and start watching all the helpful hints and tips on using a MIG welder. When I bought my MIG I had zero experience with it and started using gasless wire. It was a true shitty mess. Then started using gas and remembered that I had to reverse the polarity around when welding with the gas set up. This along with the videos I watched were very helpful. I had some stuff ups and each time an issue popped up a few times I went back to the videos.
Now, although there is still room for improvement I am gaining confidence all the time. Like so many things there is benefits as to whether to use gas or not and the apropriate wire. With gas I find it a cleaner finish and far less spatter but if outside a breeze can upset the gas and blow it away do it needs to be sheltered. One day when I'm bored I will swap the MIG back to being gasless and try again to see if I really have improved. Note I said improved not good or best.
One thing that is a must when doing body repairs in my opinion is to do many small tack welds and keep any runs to a minimum in length, use 0.8mm wire or lighter if available and try to fine tune your Volts for penetration so practise practise and then practise.

Cheers Cobba & Cobbarette
Coopernook, The Centre of our Universe
Working on more play time.
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3 years 8 months ago #211966 by PDU
Replied by PDU on topic Time to get finger out!
I'm hopeless with mig, but cobbadog's comment should help Dave, and at least you have THE WHEELS! :cheer: B)

Once on your old chassis you'll be onto the brakes . . .
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3 years 8 months ago #211970 by Dave_64
Replied by Dave_64 on topic Time to get finger out!
Thanks Men, only six wheels at the moment , still have a spare to locate eventually. No, I know my limits when it comes to welding! Can do a bit of stick welding, built front gates for here, complete with cockey poo! Have Mig, Tig, plasma, enough gear to build the QE2, cant drive it! Got the video, watched the youtubers, hands are like someone with St Vitus Dance! Yet doesnt worry me with spanners! Maybe need a couple of shots of scotch or brandy first?
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3 years 8 months ago #211973 by mammoth
Replied by mammoth on topic Time to get finger out!
For panel work 0.6 wire is the go as less current is required to achieve the local weld heat with a smaller weld pool. Use the right gas specified for light fabrication. Don't try to weld rust.
Check your vision is corrected to the focal length needed for close work - you should be able to read small text at the distance you are working at.
Lean your wrist against something solid or hold it with your other hand, and twist your wrist to make the welds.
Experiment with combinations of wire feed and current as they affect each other.
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3 years 8 months ago #212025 by Mrsmackpaul
Replied by Mrsmackpaul on topic Time to get finger out!
Yep .6 mm is the go for panel work, I had almost zero experience with a mig when I started to fix Mrs Mack and her rust

Tried TIG, not a chance so bought a MIG and just got to it, I still prefer stick for heavy work as I believe I know and can trust what Im doing

Big Cam that we used to see on here once was a wealth of information over the phone for MIG welding

Paul

Your better to die trying than live on your knees begging
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3 years 8 months ago #212065 by husky
Replied by husky on topic Time to get finger out!
Mrsmackpaul, ,sat yesterday watching every episode of your videos on u tube rebuilding your Mack ,and thoroughly enjoyed every minute ,what a brilliant job you made of it ,well done please put some more footage of you driving it as its not often i get to see classic american stuff here in UK from a drivers perspective ,,cheers Husky

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