The wooden stand I had the tub on was OK for the first few things that had to be done, but was not very practical for many of the cutting and welding tasks. Besides it didn't look cool! So with three engine stands purchased for $39.95 on sale at Princess Auto, I set out to build a rotisserie.
A couple of hours with the chop saw and I had all the pieces cut.
And by the next day I had a functional stand. The tub easily spun through 360 degrees ...
... and when not being worked on stores nicely along one wall.
... and the floor cut out with a die grinder and cut off wheel. The spot weld cutter was used to cut the spot welds (DUH!) and the floor was out.
I remembered about tack welding (fool me once shame on you ...) and things were looking good.
A nice replacement panel was cut out of 22 gauge steel and a pretty trick flange was put around the edge (with an air powered flanger/hole punch tool) to overlap the cut out section.
A couple of more hours with the welder and I was nearly done.
Now that I can move the tub around easily, lets get on with repairing it. The drivers side floor had many pits and holes. It was decided to replace it and so lines were drawn ...
And after completing the seams (a few wrinkles, however that was because I ran some beads too long and over heated the metal ... nothing a little shrinking won't fix) I re-did the spot welds and had a pretty neat patch.
WAIT A MINUTE !
DID I SAY 22 GAUGE STEEL A FEW PICTURES UP?!?!?!
ARRRRGH THATS THE WRONG GAUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sooooo anyway .... After cutting all the welds and the spot welds I made a nice replacement panel out of 18 GAUGE and spot welded it in. No flange this time to make a smooth floor.
How do I rate my embarassment:
a) High
b) Hello
c) Good Evening
I finished the beads (no wrinkling this time) and I had a nicer replacement than I did the first time (practice makes perfect). Anyway thank goodness I caught that mistake and only made the one error (cue ominous music).
WAIT A MINUTE !!
WHAT ABOUT THAT PATCH (TWO OF EM ACTUALLY) I PUT IN THE FENDER ON THE FIRST BODY WORK PAGE?!?!?!?
ARRRGH !!!!!! IT WAS 22 GAUGE AS WELL.
Oh well ... I'll replace that patch later. In the meantime I cut out and repaired some holes and pitting between the seats. Here is the patch ...
...and here is the part I cut out.
The passenger floor was a mess as well so the tool box had to come out.
Body Work
With the shop nearing completion and the parts back from the sandblasters it was time to start fixing things. Learning to MIG weld and cut and fit parts is a key actiity. This section follows that work.
