Jigsaw recommendations

[markh15]

Hi Paul,
If you have a router, it will save you an awful lot of time and effort when rounding the corners of the body sides.

Personally, I would follow Walter's (multisync) guide-lines, and use the 9.6 mm radius bit, using the guide bearing to follow the edge of the panel. When you have assembled the body, you can then sand the edge a little more (as Brian suggests) to get the final shape, as this is what I did.
When the body is sanded, filled and painted, you will hardly notice the slight indescression in the arc, so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

As for buying extra router bits, B & Q used to do a nice selection (in a plastic hinge top case), under their 'Performance Pro' brand for about ?20, should you feel the need to invest. Alternatively, keep an eye on the 'Cheap Three' (Aldi, Lidl, Netto) as they all do sets of 1/4 shank router bits from time to time, which are more than adequate for the job.

Hope this has helped,
Keep Busy,
Regards,
Mark.

[Nerdos]

Well everyone, thank you all again for your prompt, manifold and comprehensive advice - particularly impressed with the hand drawn diagram.

As I already have a template for the side panels (which I made following more sterling advice from this forum) my intention is to clamp this template to the underside of my side panel and then use the template as something for the bearing guide to follow once I get my 12.7mm router bit from Screwfix.  I appreciate that buying a bit for just one job seems extravagant but I know I don't have the eye for doing it by hand and an uneven line would bug me forever and make me kick myself for not splashing the ?10 to do the job properly.  You never know, I might make another one someday or even get more involved in woodwork.  I'm 'only' 40 so I wasn't anticipating serious woodwork-in-the-shed time for another 20 years or so.

Thanks again and you can rely on me to come back with some other gormless question before too long.

PaulB

[markh15]

Hi Paul,
Just remember, no problem is too small, nor any question too gormless,
We are all here to help others, your time will come to help someone, i'm sure that you have some hidden tallent!!

As for being 'Only 40', I can still remember my 40th like it was yesterday!!

Can't stand cheeky kids!!

Keep Busy,
Regards,
Mark. (51 yr old fossil)

[brian]

Morning Paul.

Remember, the daftest question is the one you didn,t ask.  We are all like minded souls on here and probably get as much satisfaction out of helping others as doing it ourselves.

Good luck with the build.

Regards,

Brian.

[Nerdos]

Just finished with my new ovolo bit.  Now that was ?10 well spent.  Quick check: fingers - 8 off, thumbs - 2 off.  I think I'll go to bed now while I'm stil ahead.

[Nerdos]

OK, this isn't to do with jigsaws but it is an attempt to keep all my stuff under one thread as per recommendations from the forum.

I'm at the stage of trying to fit the front axle which, in my case, is a swing axle.
My two questions are
1) There is a flange on the swing axle.  I can't make out from the manual whether the flange goes to the front of the vehicle or the rear.  I have concluded at least that it should point down rather than up.  Can anyone clarify this?
2) I don't seem to be able to see anywhere in the manual where exactly on the floorpan to attach the swing axle.  I'm expecting maybe a 'where it looks right' response but I don't want to charge in on an assumption if I have a chance of getting a second opinon.

Cheers,
PaulB

PS Progress also on http://toylanderbuild.blogspot.com if anyone's interested.

[bill shuter]

Hi Paul, depends on your hand skills, all the 'rounding' I've done has been with a VERY rough hand file then progressively fine glass paper.  I find this by far the easiest method for me personally. As others have said over & over, just take your time.

[Tosh]

PaulB

The plans tell you where the axle goes from the front valance. I drew a line at that point, clamped the axle at that point, fixed the front mounting bracket to the tub (square) and then assembled the axle/rear bracket in situ. Only then did I drill the holes in the floor for the rear bracket.

I too was vexed about that flange (purpose???). My trial installation had it pointing "up" until I realised it would stop the axle from swinging. IIRC - and it was only Saturday - mine is forwards. I plumped for this so as to keep it well away from any steering stuff. Although, maybe it should be rearwards to act as a steering stop.......

[Nerdos]

The plans tell you?  OK, well as my wife would be the first to point out, I'm not very good with my 'looking eyes' but I'll revisit those plans and, failing that, get wifey to look.

[dale]

I started out with a fixed front axle on a Toylander 1.  Just upgraded to the swing axle, and I used the mounting position of the fixed axle as the position for the swing axle.  Like Tosh, I clamped the swing axle in place, checked everything was square, drilled one hole for the front mounting bracket, fitted, rechecked everything, then drilled the other mounting holes.

I too thought the flange was a steering stop, but it isn't, so not sure as to it's purpose.  I fitted it forward facing.  In the kit I also got a small piece of angle, and I can't work out what that's for!  Axle seems to work fine though without it though!

[Tosh]

So you think the random small piece of angle - one hole drilled - is part of the steering kit. Mmmmm. Mine is in the "extra hardware" tray at the moment.

PaulB - I think the plans tell you in the cutting the floorpan section rather than the front axle section. Counter intuitive I know....

[Richard]

Hi Tosh, The small piece of angle needs to be fitted to the top of the axle to stop the steering column foot getting past the top of the axle should you have fully turned right lock and the nearside wheel be on full compression. ATB Richard

[Tosh]

Thanks Richard

More use than the spare hardware tray

[dale]

Hi Tosh, The small piece of angle needs to be fitted to the top of the axle to stop the steering column foot getting past the top of the axle should you have fully turned right lock and the nearside wheel be on full compression. ATB Richard

That'll also explain the pre-drilled hole in the axle at about that position!  I'll be back under the Toylander with the spanners then, as I also need to fit the small piece of angle.

[Nerdos]

Thanks everyone.  Found the position - 137mm - I'd just been looking in the wrong place in the plans for it.  I assume 137mm is the centre line of the axle.
Also (and this may be my looking eyes letting me down again) but can anyone clarify the positioning of washers for the swing axle pivot?  Presumably bolt - washer - front bracket - washer - axle - washer - rear bracket - washer - nut.