Mercedes vario 814 self build bus to FLT palace

[Northernraider]

Good on yer! Tam. I wouldn't't know whether the welding was good or bad but it certainly looks one hell uv a lot better.
The more you do the better you'll get.
Where are you goi g to stash the gas a d welding gear wben you are not usi g it?

Its all inside the van ...its like a shed in there at present but its the only place i can store everything. Its well ventilated so no chance of it getting too hot etc .

 

[monzer]

What thickness of steel plate did you get for that? Amazing how a grinder and buffing disc can transform a project. Looks good

 

[Northernraider]

What thickness of steel plate did you get for that? Amazing how a grinder and buffing disc can transform a project. Looks good

Used 1.2mm for this as non structural and same as the original. Yeah grinder and a bit filler before undercoat... This is a water drain area so it helps to keep it nice and smooth..ill overcoat with some gloss paint and that should be a bit better for drainage.

 

[mitzimad]

Welding is one of those things the more you do the better you get

 

[gus-lopez]

Looking good. I believe from the car forums that there are on line sheet steel suppliers who deliver to the door.

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[monzer]

Welding is one of those things the more you do the better you get

Not true, I've been welding for around 18 years and I'm still shit

 

[Manic]

Looks good , it will get better the more you do.

 

[pagey]

nowt wrong wi that lad dont forget to cad it (cardboard aided design) cut,bend,weld,scurf paint and the jobs a good un

 

[intokenny]

I tell you, Tam, i get scared everytime i see more pictures. Your a very brave man. But what you have done looks good to my untrained eyes.
Keep going & good luck.

 

[The Dotties]

What I know about welding could be written on a postage stamp with a distemper brush. But that looks well tiddly. Well done.

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[Badknee]

Not true, I've been welding for around 18 years and I'm still shit

View attachment 516276

Yeh, that’s shit

Give him some tips Tam

 

[Northernraider]

Looking good. I believe from the car forums that there are on line sheet steel suppliers who deliver to the door.

Yes thats the plan for the rest of it ...ive got a number from the blacksmith for a metal supplier so i just need to figure what i need for doing everything including the windows and I'll get it delivered next week .

 

[Northernraider]

I tell you, Tam, i get scared everytime i see more pictures. Your a very brave man. But what you have done looks good to my untrained eyes.
Keep going & good luck.

It always looks bad when its all stripped down and cut out ...but starts to look good when you fettle with it .

 

[Northernraider]

Yeh, that’s shit

Give him some tips Tam

I used to weld heavy stuff like that for a job 20 years ago ...train chassis , tank simulators , heavy security grates etc ...hence my concern about welding thin sill panels etc ...and I can't fabricate for toffee. Even cutting these wee bits with tinsnips etc is a pain ....what id give for a guillotine and bender lol

 

[Badknee]

It’s getting the gas and wire speed right as well as the power so you don’t get bird shit, I quite got used to my welding looking like bird shit to be honest

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[jockaneezer]

I use Hobbyweld (Dixon Gas) from my local welding supplier. I think argoshield is around £50 for a 9litre bottle and there's a one off deposit of around £50 which you get refunded (less admin charge) if you return the bottle. There's no rental charges involved.
Steel prices have gone through the roof this year and there's also a shortage too. Our stockist won't hold prices for more than a day on any quotes.
I bought 50mm box from a scrap yard (very rusty) for £20/6m, the stockholder wanted £60 a length and I also bought some 2mm galvanised 8'x4' sheets for £20 each, which was a bargain, but no good for welding.
But on the plus side, it's nice to see some tin going back on the bus !

 

[Northernraider]

It’s getting the gas and wire speed right as well as the power so you don’t get bird shit, I quite got used to my welding looking like bird shit to be honest

Aye its the blowing holes that bugs me lol

 

[gus-lopez]

what id give for a guillotine and bender lol

Got anywhere local who can bend it for you if you take in patterns?

 

[Northernraider]

I use Hobbyweld (Dixon Gas) from my local welding supplier. I think argoshield is around £50 for a 9litre bottle and there's a one off deposit of around £50 which you get refunded (less admin charge) if you return the bottle. There's no rental charges involved.
Steel prices have gone through the roof this year and there's also a shortage too. Our stockist won't hold prices for more than a day on any quotes.
I bought 50mm box from a scrap yard (very rusty) for £20/6m, the stockholder wanted £60 a length and I also bought some 2mm galvanised 8'x4' sheets for £20 each, which was a bargain, but no good for welding.
But on the plus side, it's nice to see some tin going back on the bus !

Aye thats the gas i got ...its about £70 deposit here and £30 summit for refill ...plus vat so £110 all in but ill get the deposit back when im done with it ...next year sometime lol

 

[Northernraider]

Got anywhere local who can bend it for you if you take in patterns?

Im hoping so ...ive a couple of places to try for the sills to be bent as i have one small section here that ill get them to copy in metre lengths

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[Badknee]

I used to use Argoshield5 from BOC. Robbing bar stewards they were.

 

[Langtoftlad]

I suspect you're reasonably happy with your efforts... as you've posted photos...
...personally, I have no clue if your welding is good or bad.

But more power to your elbow.

 

[125BEER]

Looking good mate,i am no hands on rebuild guy but seems you are determined and the support on this thread will keep you going

 

[namwaldog]

Very long shot this Tam......

When I retired sometime last century, I fancied doing some welding as we had bought a smallholding so I enrolled at an Agricultual College on a welding course (1 evening a week/6 weeks)
Got hands on with a lot of different kit and a lot of help from the Tutor.

Importantly, you were allowed to take your own 'projects' in with you. Nothing like that near you?

I can't weld for toffee but my scaffolding tower which I 'repaired' is still intact.

 

[Northernraider]

Very long shot this Tam......

When I retired sometime last century, I fancied doing some welding as we had bought a smallholding so I enrolled at an Agricultual College on a welding course (1 evening a week/6 weeks)
Got hands on with a lot of different kit and a lot of help from the Tutor.

Importantly, you were allowed to take your own 'projects' in with you. Nothing like that near you?

I can't weld for toffee but my scaffolding tower which I 'repaired' is still intact.

Ha ...theres a college nearby for sure but i doubt they would get this in there. If the weather holds up ill get a fair bit done over the next couple of weeks. But i have blooming jury duty from the 26th which im hoping is over quick

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[gpat]

Im hoping so ...ive a couple of places to try for the sills to be bent as i have one small section here that ill get them to copy in metre lengths

It's not too bad. I have seen worse. I did warn you weeks back that welding thin steel that's even thinner through rust was nothing like the proper welding you have done and you can't expect the same neat results.

You kind of get the hang on learning to live with it. Go easy on the grinder though as you weaken it and make it even thinner. I suppose that's fine on non structural bits that are visible. Better to weld it proper then knock it in with a panel beating hammer and finish with a skin of filler. No shame on that

 

[gus-lopez]

Robbing bar stewards they were.

& BOC were even worse.

 

[monzer]

Im hoping so ...ive a couple of places to try for the sills to be bent as i have one small section here that ill get them to copy in metre lengths

Got a pic of the small section?

 

[Northernraider]

Got a pic of the small section?

 

[monzer]

View attachment 516323

I could bend a couple lengths of that for you.

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