Project #2...Nissan Figaro

[HopefullySoon]

The Last paragraph PD2 ... sums it up ... you can’t fix what you don’t know needs fixing .

Malc

 

[Dcal]

Yea it's pretty bad...I do have 2 spare doors now and I was tempted to just switch to a better door. But then I decided this project is about learning new skills and hard lessons too....if I took the easy route I wouldn't be learning much and then one day I might be restoring a car where another door isn't so obtainable!!

Just the right attitude and if you look on it as a learning experience it never seems as bad.
Can you imagine how hard it would be to set up an issue that so you could get a bit of experience.

Maybe you should count yourself lucky.

 

[Exuptoy]

A bare metal resto will aways be the better car when complete.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Alot of hammering and making up new dollies later...it's not perfect but it's getting there I think. The problem was a big dent running down from the door handle recess.

Managed to make a small dolly out of an old bit of bar which I then slipped behind the crash bar...it was like someone sharpened all the steel edges in that door...fingers took a beating!

I used my mig shrinker again on the dented metal to try to pull it back together. Well I say "my mig shrinker"...what I actually mean is the new mig shrinker that I built because I lost the old one...luckily that didn't push me over the edge!!!

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Check out the pile of poop that came off this door....this guy lived his filler!

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Here it is with some etch...I may have another go over the weekend. At least the tin can effect is now gone!

 

[Ruffian]

How is the mig hot shrinker working?
Would like to know a few more details for work helping with panel fab at work.

 

[Exuptoy]

Me too. Also where abouts is the thread showing it?

 

[Dcal]

Here it is with some etch...I may have another go over the weekend. At least the tin can effect is now gone!

That's one of the reasons why I like to use Epoxy instead of etch.
If a bit more work is required you can put filler / stopper straight on the epoxy (after giving it a bit of a rub)
Can't (shouldn't) do that with etch'

I'm also interested in the mig shrinker

Keep up the good work

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Decal.. I just flat the etch back if needed. I mainly use it to key the metal....am definitely going to switch to epoxy primer once my current stocks of bar and etch run out (live and learn!)

Here are some pics of a poor man's mig shrinker. It's just a plumbing elbow and a bit of 15mm copper tube with a slit in the side. I found the tips on eBay for £5...on this one I simply tin soldered the welding tip on...seems to work.

I use it in the same way as tacking...gets plenty hot...that carbon tip glows red!

I believe these tips are for resistance soldering...it was just very convenient that they fit perfectly inside a bit of 15mm copper tube. The olive and tube then tighten and hold the tip.

 

[Exuptoy]

Have you got a pic of it attached or even in use? I still can't see how it works.

 

[Dcal]

Thanks
Is that a carbon electrode like you would use for brazing with and arc welder?
Have you a link to the setup?
Is it designed to apply precise heating?

Excuse my ignorance. Every days a school day.

 

[Exuptoy]

I assume the tip doesn't require wire to travel though it any more?

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Here it is attached...all I do is release the wire tensioner and turn the gas off on the welder (don't need wire or gas just current for the heating)...it then just fires the curent through the tip. I set the power low and just trigger for 2 seconds...4 or 5 dots is usually enough and then cool it off with a wet rag.

Yea I think any carbon electrode will do...this one has a copper outer core which keeps it from falling apart plus it fits inside the 15mm copper tube so I could use a plumbing fitting as the holder.

Dunno how long the solder will hold...on the first version I just threaded the end of the tip screwed it into the fitting...but needed a quick fix today.

 

[Dcal]

Didn't know you could still get the carbon electrodes.
Never used them, but they came with a buzz box I got many many moons ago

 

[Dcal]

Still it's a brilliant idea.
Who thinks this stuff up?

 

[Exuptoy]

I found an old thread here from 2008.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/carbon-heat-shrinking-attachment-for-mig-welder.7433/

Here it is.

http://www.usaweld.com/MIG-Shrinking-Attachment-p/15003.htm

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Exuptoy....thats exactly the thread that I saw and figured I could probably make one.

They are cheap as chips in the USA but over here I just couldn't find them anywhere for less than about £40!

If you search the bay of fleas for "resistance welding carbon electrode" it looks like they are still £5 a pack...pretty sure I used the 1/2 inch ones (12.5mm) and they fit nicely inside the 15mm copper tube.

 

[Dcal]

Right, on the hunt for some carbon electrodes now.
100% certain Exuptoy will beat me to it.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Right, on the hunt for some carbon electrodes now.
100% certain Exuptoy will beat me to it.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-2-Carb...379288?hash=item2842bd1318:g:d30AAOSwYbhZ3Os7