Carl and John tempt me everytime I go to Carlisle. Did you get a fair share of
hands-on experience? How big was the class?
I just took a class in Connecticut, sponsored by Manchester Motor Cars Company,
on the english wheel. Small class size (was supposed to be eight but was five)
and lots of hands on time.
"Dodd, Kelvin" wrote:
> Chiming in.
>
> I took the Eclectic Motorworks MGB sheet metal class over the weekend, so
>feel relatively educated enough to chime in.
>
> One of the points stressed during the class is that welding always causes
>metal to want to move.
>
> The emphasis of the class was on "sneaking up" on panel fit, so that constant
>checking is made to ensure that each repair gets the shell closer to an
>accurate door fit.
>
> Welding in support beams prevents the shell from moving under the welding
>stresses until the beam is finally cutout, at which time the built up stresses
>have their evil ways and can twist the shell out of true.
>
> When the shell was originally assembled rocker panel assemblies were jigged
>and welded to the support platform. The panel assemblies had full strength
>when they were installed and a jig could be used to ensure location. During
>the rust repair process, each of the sill components is added one piece at a
>time and as each piece is added the sill becomes stronger but the welding
>induces twist and warp. Supporting the body of the car at the suspension
>points and continually checking door fit ensures that as the sill is
>strengthened with new sheet metal, movement can be taken into account and the
>correct gaps are maintained.
>
> It was pretty amazing to see this done on a 64 chassis that was way beyond
>anything I would expect to restore.
>
> Kelvin Dodd
>
> ________________________________________
> From: TJ Tryon, Jr. [mailto:tjt@insightbb.com]
> Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 4:15 PM
> To: 'MG List'; MG-MGB@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [MG-MGB] Sills
>
> What a mess, unfortunatly, once I got the fenders off, it seems that the tin
> worm ate quite a bit more sill/rocker metal since last summer. Strange
> thing, I tried to keep things dry and clean, and it was parked inside all
> winter. Pictures can be found at:
>
> http://tj.lhc-group.com/gallery/view.php?gallery_id=20
>
> Next step is to weld some support beams in the door jam and start to drill
> spot welds.
>
> Any advice prior to getting started?
>
> TJ
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