My build thread

[Jeepmadmike]

The noise level is a good point, when I drove it about at the weekend it was pretty good.

I have used some thin self adesive foam on top of the chassis to insulate the body so I might have reduced the tinny / drumming noise already.

Metal work wise it's all self taught and I'm getting better at it with every panel, ally is so much easier to work than steel but I can't weld it together - yet...... Been looking at tig welders

[markh15]

Hi Mike,
Well that answers my question then. I had this horrible immage in my head of your poor little driver tootling along with ear defenders on!

Like you, I'm self taught on the welding / metalwork side, and enjoy a challenge (hence to list of mods to Harvey's T2).

I don't know what your welding background is, and I don't want to put my foot in it and look stupid (like I usually do), but a friend of mine (Gary, my engineering wizzard) bought a 'TIG' set from a large tool chain store (M-M), at the cost of almost £300 (£199 for the set and £99 for the leads!), only to find that it won't weld from a domestic 13amp plug (like a MIG welder).
It needs a separate 30amp circuit (like a cooker) from the consumer unit, otherwise it cuts out due to the lack of flow / supply / whatever (help Brian).

Just something to be aware of (if you didn't know already).

Regards,
Mark.

[brian]

Hello Mark.

Where is welder plugged in, a domestic ring main, or in a shed or garage remote from the supply??

Does the unit actually cut out, or blow the 13a fuse in the plughead?

If the supply requires a 30A supply, it will have to be fed by a 4mm cable if not too far from the consumer unit, but 6mm if in a building a little distance from the house and consumer unit.

Please make sure you answer the first two questions accurately, it is important.

I'll get back to you when you answer.

Kind regards,

Brian.

[Jeepmadmike]

The tigs I was looking at are inverter ones hence much kinder on the supply, the supply to the shed is adequate for anything supplied with single phase until the supply to house melts which wouldn't suprise me with the rubbish cables the supply authurities use. But the overheads pole is in my garden so with some marigolds and crocodile clips I could have temporary 3phase supply  might get told off for that

300quid for a tig sounds very cheap one I was looking at was 4 times that

I did try a tig set for my little inverter stick welder years ago but it was rubbish in comparison to a propper tig set my local machine shop has

Decisions decisions.

[Jeepmadmike]

Done some more, getting bored with it now

[markh15]

Hi Brian,

The cry for help was intended as a joke, but as you asked....

The supply is in Gary's garage, which is three feet from the side of the house, and I would guesstimate the cable run isno more than 30 ft long. This is a spur taken off the house consumer unit (as far as I can tell), with a twin plug on the wall.

The actual welder (or as Mike correctly identified, 'an inverter') cuts out, giving a very 'weak to non existent' spark, but does not blow the 13a fuse.

After reading the instructions thoroughly (after a few attempts, it's a 'man' think you know), we discovered that the 'inverter' needs a separate 30a supply from the consumer unit, like a cooker / shower would.

He has recently had a modern consumer unit fitted, so that he can (presumably) get this wired up sometime soon, as there weren't any 'spare' 30a connectors available on the old unit.

Mike, as for the cost of the 'inverter', it was one from 'Machine Mart', and so is only a basic one (at that price), which Gary wanted to use in renovating an ageing Triumph Herald that he has on his drive. He thought that TIG would be gentler on the fragile metal, as opposed to the MIG set, which can be a little too powerful on thin sheet steel.

Hope this has cleared things up somewhat gents.

Regards,
Mark.

[Jeepmadmike]

After a mad week I have finally done some more on the MB

After a few hours experimenting, making a suitable clamp, some marking, drilling, cutting then beating stuff with a selection of hammers round bar and bits of plate, I now have a grill



Not sure how much I will get done this week as it looks like it will be busier than last

[Jeepmadmike]

Back in room!

Been busy busy for the last few weeks

But now and then I've found time to prep and paint the jeep

It's not a concours job but I'm sure it will get a few battle scares soon!



I've made a screen frame too but am undecided on fitting it yet

[Thomasb140]

looks fab.
keep up the good work
Thomas

[migman]

Hi Mike

That looks Brill, And am sure the Girl will love it,

Hope your Dad is on the mend

Best Regards Tony

[Jeepmadmike]

Thanks for positive comments guys

Tony thanks for remembering my dad was ill, he is not going to improve sadly, he's currently in a nursing home and that's one reason for a big push / rush on getting the little jeep usable- hopefully this weekend we can take it there and Ellie can drive it about outside for him to see
The build is one of the few things he has been interested in over the last few months, he had a MB during the war and has great memories of it. He's also been trying to remember the ID of "his jeep" too.

[migman]

Hi Mike

So sorry to hear that , I am sure it will make his day to see Ellie driving the jeep and he will be so proud of the job you have done,
Keep your chin up My friend.

Best Regards Tony

[Thomasb140]

where all here for you mike.

Thomas
p.s hope the big push has gone well and hope your dad loves it too

[Jeepmadmike]

Just thought I would give everyone a update on the build

The little jeepy has had a bit of use, everything from a couple of minutes in the driveway to drive it till its flat days

The only mod I've done is well not really a mod! I never made the right steering arms it's had M8 stud which is very flexible and was all sorts of shapes after being bashed about...now there 10mm round bar which I turned down and threaded m8

We even took it into the village skate park today and had a go on the ramps but they where a little slippery

[Jeepmadmike]

After setting up another YouTube account (can't remember my password or email account I used...)

Here's a video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsVP2WhQVgo&feature=youtube_gdata_player