2 October 2005
Painting the garage
Yesterday I cleared my out of my shed and moved most of the remaining crap from my garage into it. Well I say crap but actually it is not rubbish, it is all my car cleaning stuff, etc.
Anyway. today I started painting my garage! I suspected that once I started this I would regret it andAugust 29, 2007 painting and decided that I would do some more next weekend. It is hard work painting breeze blocks, god why do they not make them white! Anyway I have done about three quarters of the garage, the first coat and I think it will require a total of three coats. I am hoping that the first coat takes the longest! Anyway it will keep me occupied until my kit is ready. Already the white is making a big difference to the general lighting of the garage. I still plan to install my lighting, the brighter the better as I am going to be spending many a hour in there!
11 October 2005
Lights
Yes, I am still painting the garage! Anyway I bought a fantastic light from Ebay. I replaced the usual 5" 58W strip light with a sleek 6" twin 70W, total power of 140W! Now I can see everything. With bright white walls I need sunglasses.
18 October 2005
Garage floor
Okay I have finished all the painting in my garage and even put up some shelving, bins, etc. My kit car is not ready until the 25th October. I have therefore decided to spend some time on my garage floor! Last night I laid some self leveling floor compound (who ever thought of this term, self leveling my arse, I think not!). Anyway once this is dry, I will sand it more level! It has served the purpose of covering up the hideous swirl and pit marks from the original builders and the gap between the floor and wall (mind the gap!), well more like ridge actually. I will then PVA seal it ready for floor paint. I think I might use the 2 pack epoxy paint, depends if I can hold of it in time.
Once I have the floor done I shall enclose some pictures.
23 October 2005
Garage Complete
Yes, at last I have completed all the painting. Used about 30 litres of the stuff. Anyway, here is the final picture. Notice my workbench which I built myself!
25 October 2005
Picked up kit today
At last , picked up kit today. Used a ford LWB luton with tail lift. This was an experience, an experience that I would not like to repeat. The truck has a top speed of around 65MPH down hill with a tail wind. To overtake other trucks and lorries I had to make an appointment! I would build up speed in another trucks slim stream only to pull out and be confronted with wind resistance which caused rapid de-acceleration akin to braking! I did like the tail lift though although my wife who is a wheel-chair user was not impressed at my suggestion that she could travel in the back. God, I would tie her to the side.
I could not hear the wind over the noise of the engine but I could feel it, it was like steering a boat!
I now have GRP panels all over the place, in my loft, in my garage. Also have stowed some pieces in my friend's garage. I shall upload some photos tomorrow.
Tomorrow I am going to build a large frame 30" down from the garage ceiling to provide a platform on which I can stow the body.
26 October 2005
Ground Zero
Today's project was to build a platform in my single garage to hold the body above the chassis. Project complete and objective met! Lost count how many visits I made to Wickes. I learned something new today, 10ft long pieces of wood will fit in my car and the boot will shut! (Renaut Grand Scenic).
It cost about £30 in total from Wickes. Do not purchase from the usual DIY stores such as Homebase or B&Q, it will cost a small fortune for all that wood.
Ending up building quite a substantial structure just to hold a light GRP body but remember the structure needs to support itself! I accept it is probably over-engineered but now I can sleep at night with peace-of-mind that I am not going to find my GRP body smashed into tiny pieces all over the floor.
Well here is the very first picture, Ground zero. I know some people have taken photos of loading the kit into the back of the truck from the factory but I did not feel compelled to do this. Anyway the starter kit comes with all the bits and pieces in a medium sized box and the chassis with the body over the top. First job is to remove the body to reveal the bare chassis. As you can see I opted for the Powder Coated finish, which most do. Powder coat is a process of spraying powder onto a positive charged object and it this baked in an oven, the finish is plastic like and very durable. I also opted for the suspension bits, such as upper and lower wishbones to be coated also. By the way the chassis is mounted on the optional chassis supports, making the building process safer and easier (I am not on a commission from Westfield)
Body Platform
Here are some photos of the finished platform with body in place
27 October 2005
Day 1 - Now I have started for real!
Yep, today was the first day. Although I didn't start until 1230pm because I needed to get some more G-clamps, three was not enough to hold the panel security. Maybe tomorrow I can just start work without having to go shopping!
I spent just under 6 hours working the left hand side (view from front) panel for the transmission tunnel. It required bending and general shaping to fit around weld joints in the chassis. I also had to enlarge the two holes at the rear of the panel.
I drilled the holes in the Chassis for the pop rivets. I finished up by brushing black metal paint into the holes. Tomorrow I need to do the other side, maybe I might be quicker for the second one.
28 October 2005
Day 2 - Transmission Tunnel Panel
As I suspected yesterday the second transmission panel was completed in near half the time. Not that I am rushing, I just know a little more this time and there was no delay in drilling holes in the Chassis! I went on to fit the rear bulkhead panel and the drilling, it has so many holes. Well I say fit, I have not done any riveting yet. A fellow westfield builder suggested that the transmission panels should be riveted after the rear bulkhead is fitted because it is a tight fit.
I have prepared the chassis holes with the usual metal paint.
No photo today, as taking photos of progress of drilling holes is getting a little boring, even for me!
I promise I will have some photos tomorrow because I am going to be attaching some panels.
I spent 6 hours in the garage today, this seems to be my limit as far as concentration is concerned after which I begin to not care.
29 October 2005
Day 3 - Rear bulkheads and transmission tunnel panels
Spent just about 6 hours in the garage today but achieved what I wanted but not without some drama. My new air riveter stopped working mid rivet unfortunately. Had to borrow a manual riveter from a friend, now I appreciate the hard work!
I now have attached the rear bulkhead and the side transmission tunnel panels. Leaving the top transmission panels until I have fitted the engine and gearbox. I managed to shape and trial fit the two front bulkhead panels. These are clamped in place ready for drilling.
Oh yes, the green stuff is protective plastic film I have removed from underside for the adhesive to bond but will leave the film on the top-most surface to protect the aluminum sheets whilst building.
30 October 2005
Day 4 - Front bulkhead panels
Been a good day today I fitting the front bulk head panels in 4 hours . Unfortunately for the left hand panel (from front) at least, it had been pre-bent at the factory and was not accurate. I had to manipulate the bend and then work it into the chassis rail on the car with clamps and a mallet. I am quite happy with the result, in that you would never know. The other panel was spot on. I spent a further 3 hours turning the chassis over and preparing the floor panels. Have drilled the chassis and painted with metal paint as per usual. Just need to apply silicon adhesive and rivet the panels in place. Probably do this tomorrow evening.
Here's the result:
I had previously mentioned that I had build a workbench which I am very proud off! I thought I would include a picture before it gets too damaged and no I do not polish it with pledge!
Notice the electric sockets built in! It was quite expensive to build, about £100 but it is customized made to my own requirements, the height is spot on so that I do not have to bend my back, etc.
31 October 2005
Day 5 - Floor panels
Excellent opportunity to hide from the Trick'n'treaters on Halloween; The garage. Ironically don't you think a Westie upside down looks like his'n'hers coffins!
Spent 2 hours doing nothing else except riveting. Here's the result:
Go to November 2005