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Post by PICTUP on Jan 4, 2017 18:47:13 GMT -8
Byron, we appreciate you being "better cheap than wise" So what kind of bit did you use to drill out the spot welds? Do you have a Gerson windshield panel, or are you making it from scratch? So when should we have a weekend get together(meeting/tutorial(for Stan and the rest of us)) down at your place? Keep calm and weld on....
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Post by clay on Jan 4, 2017 19:33:08 GMT -8
Pssst...friendly neighbourhood crack...er...used parts dealer... Attachments:
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Post by Brenticon on Jan 4, 2017 20:04:16 GMT -8
Great work B. Stumbled across this pic on the web Inspiration for your other baby
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Post by busaddict on Jan 5, 2017 2:16:32 GMT -8
Wow, there is still a lot of good bus under all that. It's going to be awesome when it rolls out of the shop...in time for Volksfest?
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Post by Wongai on Jan 5, 2017 10:18:12 GMT -8
Thanks for all the encouragement guys.
I'm throwing every tool in the shop at this project. I have multiple different die grinders with burs and cutting wheels. I also have a really sweet 3M hand held belt sander that kicks serious butt.
I've tooled up to make the windshield frame from scratch, but I might have to check out Clay's option also.
To be honest, I'm starting to freak out a bit. I've been pulling all the expanding foam, wood, and fiberglass out of all the corners on this bus. I really can't understand why people do such crazy repairs, but they did more harm than good. Ever corner is missing from this bus leaving me very little to start welding to. I had a buddy with a lot of experience come by last night, and he suggests that I bail out and find another bus. I'm really not sure what I should do. So much time invested already, and my kid will be super sad if I let her favorite bus go (as will I).
I'm going to pick away at it for a few more days and make a final decision.
I would be happy to host a get together in my shop. It would be great to hear what you all think of this project. Anyone interested?
B
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Post by Volktales on Jan 5, 2017 19:08:25 GMT -8
I would like to pay a visit to your shop. It would realistically have to be a weekend, though... With regards to the rust, how attached are you to the vehicle??? If it looks like too much work, just check out what is being restored in the UK. That is always inspiring to me... Every time I think my original 1970 Beetle is a lost cause, I just pull out pretty much any VolksWorld magazine and realize that things could be MUCH worse... I have excessive sentimentality issues, so you know I vote for continuing on with your project...
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Post by Wongai on Jan 6, 2017 10:36:27 GMT -8
Thanks man,
I've been thinking about it non stop. Like you say, there are countless examples of guys finding a gas cap in the forest and restoring it to a show car. I have all the time in the world, so I might as well press on. I too am overly sentimental, and I have spent almost nothing on this bus to this point. To start again would create a huge initial purchase to get a bus worth working on. I think I just continue and work my way through it bit by bit.
If anyone wanted to come up for a visit, name a day/time and I'll be here! Thanks again for the nudge forward.
b
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Post by PICTUP on Jan 7, 2017 11:20:03 GMT -8
Glad to hear you are pressing on Byron. I think your logic is spot on regarding project costs...you can only win when one considers the cost outlay for another project Bus that potentially could mushroom into what you already have here(worst case scenario). Maybe regard this project as being the cost of tuition. The learning curve might be steep at times, but when you"graduate", think of what the project will give you back....such sweet satisfaction and the skill to tackle the next one We will have to get few of us together to come down and have a look some weekend soon. Unfortunately it never happened with Paul's project as travel time was a bit too much, but you are rather closer, so hopefully we can make it work.
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Post by doug69van on Jan 9, 2017 9:37:26 GMT -8
I am interested to come down from Nanaimo. My 69 bus needs tons of attention and I welcome ideas, techniques etc. Doug
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Post by Wongai on Jan 9, 2017 10:31:33 GMT -8
Convoy!
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Post by Wongai on Jan 19, 2017 12:13:50 GMT -8
This week's limited progress. Engine out (no probs) All wiring removed (what a mess) Pop top removed. I'll need a new one. Some hoser cut a roof vent into this one. It's crazy how light this bus is now. I can push it around with ease. If I take anything else off, it might just fall into a pile of dust at my feet. Now it's time to let the sparks fly. I'm off to Costa Rica in one week. I contacted the "Vocho Club De Costa Rica". I have been invited to join them during one of their parties. I'm hoping that I might find a Vocho to ship (or drive) home. There are not too many for sale sadly. Check out the fabric from the top bunk. It's in awesome condition. All the fabric is really decent. I'll likely rework it so that the fresh side that was unexposed will become the exposed side. 40+ year old upholstery that will look new.
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Post by Wongai on Feb 20, 2017 9:31:54 GMT -8
Ok, back to work after my relaxing holiday. I know this dog leg still looks pretty good, but I figured i'd remove it just for fun. Juts a matter of drilling out a couple (hundred) spot welds. Once again, like the floor i previously removed, this dog leg is for sale. It's all original German steel. If you bring a bag, we can sweep up the rest of it. Now I'm left with this hole. I hope I can fix it! :-)
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Post by PICTUP on Feb 20, 2017 10:34:21 GMT -8
Very cool! Go Byron! Was it also spot welded at the b pillar(I think that is what it is called)?
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Post by Wongai on Feb 20, 2017 10:47:28 GMT -8
Yes, Spot welds everywhere. On the inside, outside top and bottom. Had to remove all the undercoating and grunge to find them all. Very dirty job that is only just beginning. Next I will remove what is left of the outrigger and jack point, tack in the new ones temporarily fit the dog leg with screws, test fit by reinstalling the door to check the gaps, then it's time to start welding like crazy
Once all those parts are fixed in place and I have something solid to work up to, it will be time for the dreaded sliding door track and rocker. Before I tackle that finicky job, I'll need to build some confidence, or find a way of fooling myself into thinking I have the skills it takes. I could always just put the sliding door on hinges if it goes to heck. :-)
Thanks for checking out the mess I've made! B
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Post by tony on Feb 20, 2017 11:12:26 GMT -8
I've seen a couple of slider hinge installs on the samba restoration threads if I recall at least one of them was done suicide style........nasty lol
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