Bodywork Muppetry: Warts an All

Need some help with a technical problem - ask away and let's see if we can all help.

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Barry
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 4321
Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2004 8:50 pm
Location: East Sussex

Bodywork Muppetry: Warts an All

Post by Barry »

Sometimes (often in fact) I'm such a dummy.

Putting the TR front wing on (another of many trial fits) I thought 'there's no way I'll get a decent doorgap out of that'. No problem, the dimensions around the wing are fine, so it's obviously the (pattern) wing itself. Again, no problem, I'll lengthen the rear of the wing: build it up with the TIG, tidy up,jobs a good-un.

Problem is, there's now a tiny bit of distortion, just behind the welded area. Beat it down, and promptly moved the distortion another two inches into the wing :? . Ah ha, no problem (!) I'll heat shrink it, as per Contour's instructions. So I shrank it with spots about four inches apart, down the rear of the wing. Now the whole of the rear section 'flip flopped' :shock: . By this point, I had gone from a wing that fitted pretty well, with a nice gap, to one that flipped or flopped by half an inch across the whole panel. Now I'm worried.

Can't have shrunk enough: double checked the technique on some scrap: certainly shrinking O.K. Hmmm :? :? Must still need a bit more shrinking ... oh blimey :shock: that's torn it. Time for a think. By now the whole of the flat rear section of the wing is flip-flopping by an inch!!

Finally I engaged brain cell: I suppose it had actually stretched in the first place, and so did need shrinking: what if I should have deliberately stretched it a bit ... Therefore worked backwards, and re-stretched each shrink spot: result: worst place using a two foot rule, is 1mm low, and the main shape of the wing better than when I started: time to leave well alone.

Do I get the bodywork wooden spoon yet, or shall I keep trying? :drunken:
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Bob_Salmon
DDK forever
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Post by Bob_Salmon »

You deserve the top award for patience!

Bob
Rust - what holds the holes together......

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davidppp
DDK rules my life!
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Post by davidppp »

This is without doubt the most reassuring post I've reead for ages.

I thought it was only me!

After almost 40 years of messing with ancient metal..and not so ancient..it is still almost guesswork how to strighten a panel.

I have only a few tips..the most important is not to heat flaltisht panels at all if poss..

The other is using a tiny lttle hammer ...

Thats it..

Kind regards
David
Barry
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 4321
Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2004 8:50 pm
Location: East Sussex

Post by Barry »

Thanks David, I feel a bit better now: lesson well learned, at least it was on the TR, and a dreadful pattern panel at that.

I think you're right, keep the heat off the panel: I'll know for next time. Finished the day off nicely by trashing one of the 3/4 doorskins I had made: perfect :roll: .

Anyway, I'm off to sulk now .... I may be some time ....
DDK Member1243 07741 273865. Home of the RY Austin 7 Trophy's and Austin Single Seat Racers
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