> [Original Message]
> From: William West <livinginthepast3@hotmail.com>
> To: spridgets <spridgets@autox.team.net>
> Date: 08/05/2004 3:12:30 AM
> Subject: rust repair - opinions wanted.
>
> Hi there...
>
> Okay, after a thorough look at my 71 Midget, I have found that I need the
> following major body work:
>
> New trunk tray (buckled from a rear ender)
> New rear valance (bondo bomber, result of same rear ender mentioned above)
> New battery tray (rotted out - most sheet metal already cut out)
>
> Couple of questions for you experts:
>
> Should I spend the money on a battery tray from moss or vicBrit or just
get a
> small piece of sheet metal?
>
> I'm in Washington state. Is there anyone who can give me some advice on
how to
> proceed with the welding process? Earlier, I asked if it would be
difficult
> to learn to weld and do the work myself. But looking at this, I'm
wondering
> whether it wouldn't be cheaper just to roll the stripped body down to the
> local shop and have them do the work. Is it going to cost more to buy the
> welder, tools and peripherals or to have a welder do it? Any guestimates?
will,
there are two ways to lok at what you propose. the first is sublet what
you do not want to do and just get it behind you. that makes sense if
this is going to be the only car you ever ever intend to rebuild or
restore. but! and it's a huge BUT! if you purchase the equiptment and
do your own welding and you intend to some day do another car (or repair a
cracked mower deck , like i have to do before my next mowing here !) or
ever want to repair a broken shovel or what ever a 110V. mig welder becomes
a very importaint piece of equiptment wich spends most of it's life sitting
around gathering dust. but the one time something breaks and you posess
the piece of equiptment to fix it you will be quite pleased ...trust me!
QUICK STORY! my wife decided we needed flowers planted around our kitchen
door area in spring. comes home with 4 flats of pansys. i got through
all but part of the last flat and the darn blade broke off the hand held
spade i was using! the spot welds snapped clean into two pieces! rather
than running out and buying a new garden tool(wich would throw me into fits
of absolute anger since i do not enjoy playing with dirt!) i went in the
shop vise gripped the pieces together and mig welded it back together and
finished the project and the tool lives on!
your car needs a trunk floor before the rear panel goes on and the battery
tray , right? the areas that you are going to be welding will never ever
be seen once painted and assembled. by the time you get the trunk and
battery tray in the car you will have had enough practice time that the
rear body panel will go rather easily. yes you WILL make some darn crappy
looking welds! and yes, you WILL be doing some extra grinding to smooth
them out after you are done welding before body work and paint. but mark
my words after you learn to weld you will never look at a rusted project
the same!
but on the other hand some choose not to do this r
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