Xac's adventures with Cassy (and friends + wife)

Post by **CitroJim** » 01 Apr 2010, 17:21

Better than Bletchley!

So do they shake it all about if she passes?

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 02 Apr 2010, 13:53

At the mot centre now. Very clean toilets, even the coffee isn't that bad. Free wifi too!
Cassy's just had the shake down on the ramps, now they're checking the back wheel

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 02 Apr 2010, 13:54

At the mot centre now. Very clean toilets, even the coffee isn't that bad. Free wifi too!
Cassy's just had the shake down on the ramps, now they're checking the back wheel

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 02 Apr 2010, 16:10

Well she failed

O/S brake light not working, probably just the bulb gone.
Flexible brake lines need replacing.
Rust on the N/S back door wheel arch join, where it opened up from the prang last year and has been sat over all the snow and gritting, the edge of the upper section broke when it was hit with a hammer during the test, so I need a plate welded in.

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 04 Apr 2010, 18:14

Popped up to GSF in Northampton yesterday and picked up two flexible brake hoses.
Swung by mum and dad's to pinch a bulb out of one of the LX's rear clusters, but it turned out to be dud so I'll have to buy one tomorrow.
I've found a mobile welder, and emailed them a copy of the photo so hopefully on Tuesday they'll give me a quote.
I'll also send it off to a few other places and see what they can do.
So hopefully I'll be able to get it re-MoT'd next weekend.

Post by **RichardW** » 06 Apr 2010, 16:39

I remember seeing something about repairing that area on a French(?) forum - was quite a big hole by the time it had been cleaned up, and the metal is pretty thick there. I would offer to strip out the back seat / carpet / seat belt etc so you're only paying for the welding - I'd also be tempted to take an angle grinder wire brush to it to clean it up so you can see the extent - it will be surprisingly big before you get to solid metal! The actual welding shouldn't be that bad, but that depends on what you find under it that also needs repairing....

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 06 Apr 2010, 19:56

Finding somewhere that's interested is proving to be a problem.
The vehicle repairers say they're just interested in replacing panels and pulling dents out.
Danielle brought home a copy of the local paper and there's two adverts in there which mention welding repairs along with websites/email so I've sent them the pic and asked for quotes.

Post by **CitroJim** » 06 Apr 2010, 21:20

Xac wrote:Finding somewhere that's interested is proving to be a problem.

Good gracious

Now I am surprised.

If that's the case, I just may go and buy a MIG and practice the art (but not on Cassy just yet!)...

I've been out turning up ram bushes on the lathe this evening. I've made one for Juliet...

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 06 Apr 2010, 21:39

Thanks jim you're a star!

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 06 Apr 2010, 21:48

I'm sure there are going to be skilled welders about that don't necessarily want to advertise their presence but I guess the only way you'd get to know is word of mouth. My Dad is one such person, make anything out of anything he can. Toned down on it all now though and a bit far away

Once you've got the technique, welding isn't too bad. Its getting the correct technique for each situation, that's the problem, all comes down to practice.

pug_owner2002 · Post by **pug_owner2002** » 06 Apr 2010, 22:06

Go on Jim, get a mig and give it a go.
I'm sure that you'd master the art of welding. After all you can sort an autobox out.
I've done a fair bit of welding on previous cars in the past, but wouldn't dare venture into a gearbox.

Post by **RichardW** » 07 Apr 2010, 08:14

No MIG Jim? What are you playing at over there

Invaluable for all sorts of things, surprising how often a blob of weld is required to make things easier. I've got a Clarke 150TE MIG - not all that cheap at around £250, but it makes decent welds, even in my hopelessly cack-handed hands

For the cost you are likely to have to pay someone to fix Xac's car the MIG will nearly pay for itself - and for a hobby machine it will go on for ever. MIG is pretty easy, but as always care is required to ensure you are getting decent penetration so you end up with a sound job. For that job on Xac's it might be worth a trip to the scrapyard and cutting out the relevant section of a scrapper to weld into place - it will save a lot of fabrication work!

With a MIG you could then weld yourself a decent set of ramps - see Shane's website on Aussiefrogs for some inspiration!

Post by **CitroJim** » 07 Apr 2010, 08:24

You're right Richard, no MIG

What I do have, and have had for years is a very high quality arc (stick) welder that will, with care, weld quite thin stuff but its still risky using it on car bodywork. It's an old Oxford. Oil filled with a tap changer and 50V and 80V outputs. It goes from a few amps right up to hundreds...

I agree a welder is an invaluable tool to have around the workshop and the old arc welder gets plenty of use. I'd not be without it

But, it really is time I got myself a MIG or, if the purse strings allow, I may just bypass the MIG stage and get a TIG outfit. I can see many uses for a TIG outfit...

What I'd really like is an Oxy-Acetelyne outfit but I cannot justify it

red_dwarfers · Post by **red_dwarfers** » 07 Apr 2010, 09:46

Get yourself a carbon arc weld attachment for you arc welder, not quite as accurate as Oxy Acetylene but it has saved the day for us on many occasions when a propane torch just isn't enough.

Saying that though, where you would get one these days im unsure of. Trouble enough getting the carbon rods for them. Machine Mart saved the day in the end though and at a good price!

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 07 Apr 2010, 13:24

One company has come back, they can't quote on the photo alone, but are estimating £80-100 + VAT