1968 series 2a restoration

rob1miles · Apr 1, 2020

I would practice a bit more and set up some old metal at the same angles. You're close but the trouble is after a few more welds you'll be much better and you'll be annoyed at your earlier welds. Better to get a few more iffy ones done on scrap. I've lived with similar welds but only on body work, on the chassis I'd want a bit more consitencey. Don't grind it all off, look at where it could be done with a vee then a bead run in. Get it nice and clean.
I would suggest you get an inverter MIG that does MMA too. These are under £200 and trust me, they transform your welds. I know £200 is a lot, but you are saving several £1000 doing the work so you can afford to invest a bit.

Stanleysteamer · Apr 1, 2020

Rodeo Joe said:
Can you post a photo of one in situ..... Don't think I've ever come across one of those.

Old VW aircooled Beetles had em!

Disco1BFG · Apr 1, 2020

As others have said - MMA is intolerant of rust, unless the rods have a more active flux. I restrict my MMA to clean stuff / thick stuff. The welds in your picture would not meet MOT standard IMHO.

An inverter MIG is a good call - R-Tech have a fine reputation, but are somewhat pricey - I have one of their AC/DC TIG/MMA sets - excellent, if noisy - but there are much cheaper ones out there with good reviews.

Have a look on the tube for a good instructional video on downhand MMA, and practice !! Then practice some more !!

Disco1BFG · Apr 1, 2020

Series 2a Mark said:
Thanks for that, I was struggling as it was tending to blow holes if I wasn't careful, any tips?

In general, either damp rods or too much current for the material thickness and/or material too rusty. What rods are you using - IME, there's a vast difference in quality between "eblag specials" and Primafixe or ( brace your wallet ) Eutectic et al ....

Have you got a quiver for your rods ? ( heated box to dry them out - worth having for proper structural stuff IMHO )

jamesmartin · Apr 2, 2020

Series 2a Mark said:
Thanks for that, I was struggling as it was tending to blow holes if I wasn't careful, any tips?

buy a mig

Rodeo Joe · Apr 2, 2020

Stanleysteamer said:
Old VW aircooled Beetles had em!

Never had a beetle either .lol

Disco1BFG · Apr 2, 2020

@Series 2a Mark :-

Disco1BFG said:
Have a look on the tube for a good instructional video on downhand MMA, and practice !! Then practice some more !!

So, ..... Have a nosy at this:-

Note the rod angles!! ( I simply searched for downhand stick welding ( as YT isn't technical enough to understand "MMA" ))

Alternatively, if you can afford it, buy a decent MIG

steve2286w · Apr 2, 2020

Interesting not being a welder was surprised at how much the stick moved in the up welding bit..
In mig is the movements similar to mma

Series 2a Mark · Apr 2, 2020

Cheers guys for all the pointers etc, had anther go this afternoon with better results, il get some photos later. Thanks, mark

Series 2a Mark · Apr 4, 2020

Welds improving. I think? Slag coming off the top nice and easy now.

rob1miles · Apr 4, 2020

That's looking a lot better. Now you are getting the hang of it don't stop! I did around 6 hours welding on my trailer about 6 months ago and by the end I was getting really nice welds. Welded up an exhaust flange today, had to grind the first weld off, second one was fine. It really takes regular practice.

Series 2a Mark · Apr 5, 2020

Onto rear springs. Split them apart and wire wheeled them to get all the old crud off. They came up really good. Cleaned them and gave two coats of red oxide and il give them a coat of black afterwards. Then get them put back together with new bolts that I had ordered, good as new. Almost!

steve2286w · Apr 5, 2020

Lookin good are the shackle bushes ok before you put them back in
Is there a couple of clamps missing

Series 2a Mark · Apr 5, 2020

Cheers, yeah they all seem pretty good. Going to do the same to the shackles etc tomorrow. Axle to get its first coat of primer tomorrow too! After that il get on with priming the chassis over the next week or so.

Stanleysteamer · Apr 5, 2020

Disco1BFG said:
@Series 2a Mark :-

So, ..... Have a nosy at this:-

Note the rod angles!! ( I simply searched for downhand stick welding ( as YT isn't technical enough to understand "MMA" ))

Alternatively, if you can afford it, buy a decent MIG

Yeah, i've never heard "arc welding " caled MMA either. sounds too much like a drug to me!!

Stanleysteamer · Apr 5, 2020

Series 2a Mark said:
Welds improving. I think? Slag coming off the top nice and easy now.

If you give it a smack with the hammer once you've finished and the slag just falls off or alternatively, if the slag curls up as you go, (more likely on horizontal welds) the n at least you will know you have little inclusion.
Call me bonkers but I much prefer arc welding. which probably says more about how sh!t my mig welder is than anything else! Nice shirring!

Series 2a Mark · Apr 5, 2020

Steve, yeah there is a couple if clamps missing, going to fabricate new ones before reassembling. Thanks

Series 2a Mark · Apr 12, 2020

Feel free to slate me for my
Lack of knowledge here... I was underneath today cleaning the gearbox crossmember off in readiness for painting over the next few days. I noticed when the two front wheels are on the ground, the front prop shaft can turn freely, can't get my head around whether or should or shouldn't . I know it's a basic question. That's me completed all welding rear wards of the bulkhead and into painting now, next I'm
Going to reassemble rear axle onto chassis once it finished being painted then il have a look at the front welding around the dumb irons. Get some photos tomorrow. Thanks

jamesmartin · Apr 12, 2020

Series 2a Mark said:
Feel free to slate me for my
Lack of knowledge here... I was underneath today cleaning the gearbox crossmember off in readiness for painting over the next few days. I noticed when the two front wheels are on the ground, the front prop shaft can turn freely, can't get my head around whether or should or shouldn't . I know it's a basic question. That's me completed all welding rear wards of the bulkhead and into painting now, next I'm
Going to reassemble rear axle onto chassis once it finished being painted then il have a look at the front welding around the dumb irons. Get some photos tomorrow. Thanks

either you got free wheeling hubs or a repair to do

steve2286w · Apr 12, 2020

Perhaps a broken halfshaft or worn splines on the drive member
Looking forward to those pics

1968 series 2a restoration

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