When a crazy idea becomes reality
- Thread starter David Cooksey
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Did a little more today.
This is the rear of the underside
Made in the same way as before.
This is just the rough shaping, I have loads more to do to smooth it all out. The two halves don't quite flow together, so I'll work on this before I weld them together.
I feel like I've made an aluminium canoe! Good job it's not snowing here or I might have been tempted to use it as a sledge lol
This is the rear of the underside
Made in the same way as before.
This is just the rough shaping, I have loads more to do to smooth it all out. The two halves don't quite flow together, so I'll work on this before I weld them together.
I feel like I've made an aluminium canoe! Good job it's not snowing here or I might have been tempted to use it as a sledge lol
I wish I had your tools and skills!
You've got some great tools and cars standing arround in your shop. But one little detail in the background cought my eye.
What the heck is this:
What the heck is this:
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It's a little something I made a few years ago. I've kinda pinched a few parts off it over the years lol
It used to look like this
It's actually thanks to this that I got the job. I was riding it round when I saw the workshop full of vintage cars. I went in and asked if he was hiring. He said that if I could show I could fabricate he would think about it. I showed him the bike I'd propped up outside. He took me on there and then!
It used to look like this
It's actually thanks to this that I got the job. I was riding it round when I saw the workshop full of vintage cars. I went in and asked if he was hiring. He said that if I could show I could fabricate he would think about it. I showed him the bike I'd propped up outside. He took me on there and then!
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The world is full of talented people !
Although I'm from England I like this site and chose it to do my build blog. The english based cycling sites tend to be aimed more at the lycra wearing road warriors and less at the more open minded. If it wasn't for my kids I'd be living in usa. I have worked over there and had plenty of job offers.......
It's a little something I made a few years ago. I've kinda pinched a few parts off it over the years lol
It used to look like this
It's actually thanks to this that I got the job. I was riding it round when I saw the workshop full of vintage cars. I went in and asked if he was hiring. He said that if I could show I could fabricate he would think about it. I showed him the bike I'd propped up outside. He took me on there and then!
Great story! I wouldn't want to sell it either!
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Done some more today
Once I was happy with the fit on the buck of the two halves, it was time to weld them together. With aluminium tig welding cleanliness is everything, so the edges that are to be welded are chemically cleaned then gone over with a rotary wire brush
Then, after a final fit check, they are tacked together
Then fully welded
Once I was happy with the fit on the buck of the two halves, it was time to weld them together. With aluminium tig welding cleanliness is everything, so the edges that are to be welded are chemically cleaned then gone over with a rotary wire brush
Then, after a final fit check, they are tacked together
Then fully welded
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The welds are then crushed between a hammer and dolly
At this point it was obvious that there was a flat spot on the main part. Rather drastic measures were called for as it's now too big for me to get into the english wheel. Out came the big hammer lol
Again more smoothing out with a flat hammer and dolly, then the body file is run over the area
This highlights the high and low spots. The low spots are stretched upwards, again with hammer and dolly. This is known as planishing and it's boring!
After a while the panel starts to come good
I plan to have this sidecar in polished bare metal so much more planishing lies ahead.....
At this point it was obvious that there was a flat spot on the main part. Rather drastic measures were called for as it's now too big for me to get into the english wheel. Out came the big hammer lol
Again more smoothing out with a flat hammer and dolly, then the body file is run over the area
This highlights the high and low spots. The low spots are stretched upwards, again with hammer and dolly. This is known as planishing and it's boring!
After a while the panel starts to come good
I plan to have this sidecar in polished bare metal so much more planishing lies ahead.....
Awesome!
Learning much...amazing work!
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Planishing planishing planishing......
I am working on this but not bothering to post photos........"oh look, that bit is now slightly smoother" lol
I spend half an hour or so on it most mornings as a "warm up" for work
Nearly finished the underside now. The next job is to start making the sides. These will be smaller panels and (hopefully) quicker.
I plan to spend half a day on it on Friday so I should be posting pictures then.
I am working on this but not bothering to post photos........"oh look, that bit is now slightly smoother" lol
I spend half an hour or so on it most mornings as a "warm up" for work
Nearly finished the underside now. The next job is to start making the sides. These will be smaller panels and (hopefully) quicker.
I plan to spend half a day on it on Friday so I should be posting pictures then.
