Quick welding update

Just thought I would let my readers know that I have been teaching myself to weld over the last couple of weeks with the MIG lent to me by James Shopland. I have been learning a lot of mistakes and very quickly too, not on the Midget though, just on scrap metal.

I cannot really progress too much further without the necessary skills in place, but I also need some more parts, in and around the rear bulkhead which I am saving up for this month.

I have been cleaning up some of the old metal with flap discs and preparing it for welding. I am trying to cover all types of welds that I need to complete the chassis. These include flat gap, angled gap and pit welding. I will try and post some pictures of my attempts in a few days. 

I bought a new auto darkening welding mask which is brilliant I have to say. But I do need some specialise mole grips to get the job done properly, further cost to this build, but nothing really that others incur thanks to the generosity of my friends and family. 

My stepfather donated a heavy duty vice to help with the metal work, which is very kind of him. It will fit very nicely on my new bench.

Further Test Fitting

Certainly getting closer so welding in some panels now. I have been concentrating on preparing all the edges and making sure that the good metal is all straight to receive the new panels.

I know I have mentioned this before but it is such a good feeling looking at the Midget with shiny new metal in place.

My next stop will be the local metal supplier, where I need to buy some sheet metal so I can make up some new sections. One to go in the front footwell panel, the other to go in the rear bulk head, behind the kick board.

Last weekend we had good weather and as the sun shone it felt like Spring for the first time this year. It prompted us to get in the garden where we had a Spring tidy up, that included a clear out of the summer house which more resembled a city's dump than anything else.

One of the things that had been filling the space in the summer house was a couple of trestle table legs and an old kitchen worktop, which I have put to good use in the workshop. I just now need a bench vice so I can begin my bespoke metal work!

Floor & Sill Repair Preparation Update

Over the Easter break I managed to spend some more time working on my MG. The focus has continued to be removing old metal and preparing the existing panels to be ready to receive the new panels.

I am still working on the offside floor and have now removed enough metal to get a first test fitting on a new floor panel!

On Saturday I also managed to get the new cross member from Moss that I will be cutting to size and welding to the good part of the original.

It is so good to see the new panel in place, it really helps with my confidence and motivation. Drilling out all the spot welds is certainly a labour of love!

The rust damage around the rear bulk head is considerable and I will need to make up some repair sections myself to make good that area.