Palindrome 914 Build Thread, now on the chassis jig Options

[nathansnathan]

What did you use to cut around the windshield frame? Cut off wheel, sawzaw, or airsaw?

Thanks,

Mark

I had to do a "kiss cut" on a lot of it, as not to go through both layers. The cutoff wheel on the mini pneumatic die grinder is what I used, a .040" width disc. It doesn't have a lot of balls, and and it seems ridiculous how long my compressor has to run to use it, but it is unmatched so far at the delicate stuff, cutting and grinding-wise. They are 3" discs but they work best once they're down to about 1 1/2".

Turns out my "illness" congestion, whatever I thought it was is actually a piece of metal in my eye. I'm trying to find a doctor who will help me take it out. I've been to 2 so far this morning. Hopefully I can get this resolved. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif)

[Zimms]

Thanks! Great looking cuts.

Sorry to hear about the eye.

[Andyrew]

Your eye doctor wont do it?

They have to drill to get the rust out. BTDT.

Your eye is going to HURT LIKE HELL after...

[nathansnathan]

I'm gonna have to make a firmer point to use goggles and not just glasses when I'm grinding. I made a point of it last time this happened (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) But yes a firmer point this time.

The 3rd place was a charm, except I learned after that they don't take my medical, which means they're going to cut into my 914 fund, dammit (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

The guy had an impressive microscope he focused on your eye while your head/ chin rested up against it. He got it in like 3 seconds with a pair of tweezers. I'd tried it with my tweezers, too earlier, but I guess you need the microscope. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif) It still hurts, though. Maybe just time to heel, we will see.

[Andyrew]

Did they drill any of the eye? My eye doctor is a family friend of mine and he picked it out in a second as well, BUT he also drilled some of the eye away as he said if he didnt it would rust and infect. Your issue could have been different than mine though.


I wear glasses and I always wear the goggles made to go over glasses now. They are very easy to see through and dont fog up as much.
http://www.harborfreight.com/splash-resist...ggle-97140.html

That and some ear muffs... Anytime im grinding anything.

[nathansnathan]

I had read about the rust circle that will form in your eye if the shard is in there longer than 45 minutes when I was researching how to get it out myself. I would do a lot to stay out of the hands of doctors.

I mentioned it to him, and I think that's why he gave me a mini dropper bottle of antibiotic drops, 1 drop 4 times a day for 3 days.

I'm sure I'll be fine. I would break bones and not go to a doctor. Like a finger, they just splint it up and bill you $600-1500. I've been thinking about doing my own dentistry. It can't be much different than working on a 914, right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[FourBlades]

Regular glasses will not protect you while grinding. I made that mistake years ago and went through the whole metal splinter in eye, get splinter cut out with scalpel at ER after waiting eight hours, then infection and rust ring cut out by eye surgeon a week later.

It's pretty hard to ignore serious eye pain when it hurts with your eyes open, hurts with your eyes closed.

Don't wanna do that again...

John

[nathansnathan]

It's getting a bit cramped in here. I took some pics of my parts progress, but it veers in theme toward illustrating just how much room the parts off a car can take up.

Here's admission of my affliction, the disease that I have read about here. It started with my bus, so I've had it or a while. Actually just the sheet metal bits are 914 related in this one.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1296936535.1.jpg)

A nice bin of goodies that I've acquired and gone through. I don't think that's a real 914 mirror? I got it from a guy at the vw classic for $3 so probably not. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I finally came up with license plate lights though. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1296936535.2.jpg)

I'm not too keen on what is the only thing going for turn signal boots? They were supposed to be genuine, and for the price, they should be, but no number on them, no porsche sticker packaging, shiny finish, minutely different shape. They look to be made in China, though George assures me they are factory original, seems it's better than nothing. I hope they'll last.

Does anyone have info on inner fender guard inserts? I'd seen them talked about in a thread somewhere. It would be nice to see how they fit, maybe make some.

Gotta show all of it to really drive the point home. Some stuff I've gone through here. My library has been displaced to occupy just 1 shelf. That is a genuine front targa top seal there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1296936535.3.jpg)

There's some room at least, the top shelf getting more full, as the parts get detailed from the bottom shelves.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1296936536.4.jpg)

As soon as my eye is all better, I'll be cleaning my tin up. I have this plan to reproduce my "610"'s with a stencil. I'm planning on getting it powder coated, satin black, but I've got to concentrate funds on getting the body shipshape first. Man that's some crud.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1296936536.5.jpg)

That pile is adjoined to this pile
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1296936536.6.jpg)

Which merges gracefully with this assemblage
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1296936537.7.jpg)
It's a shame about that bumper top. I was thinking about welding in new metal. Of course it would screw them chrome all up. People say how expensive it is to get chrome done. I thought about color matched bumpers. Then the pain/ expense of chrome removal. I did photoshop mockups. I remember seeing a thread with a color-matched adriatic blue car owned by an retired vw plant worker. I think it had sail vinyl though? - I couldn't find it. I really like what the sail vinyl adds to the car, or what it takes away, rather. I thought about painting the rollbar satin black and the same on fiberglass bumperpads, but there's something about joining the roof with the sail vinyl that I want to keep, the texture, and then the bumper pads, it feels like the sound of the car, the resonance of the wind on the front would be affected by that? I will look more, but if the new stainless insert bumper pads don't trap moisture like the original, I will go that way, despite cost. If they do retain moisture, I would rather do fiberglass painted flat black. Anyone know?

About chrome bumpers, I decided that it will only look the way I want it to with chrome bumpers,

Currently, I'm building up the places where the drill went too far. Waiting on (funds for) blast media. Need to get my heeadlight buckets stripped of seam sealer. Researching primer options; I need a weldable primer that's part of a whole system. Recommendations?

And one of the whole. A reminder that it is the driver side headlight cover that I need, not the passenger. I'd been looking for that thermostat, I was going to put it in my bus, but ended up with a type 1 version, lower temp. It's great that it is good.

I'm practicing my plug/ rosette welding. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) in anticipation of actually putting her back together. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1296936537.8.jpg)

[ONTHEGRIND]

Miller has sone new Saftey glasses that use neoprene around the eyes ? I have had forign object drilled from my eyes not much fun but it's
Not painful.. I use Wiley x tactical safety goggle
For Doing cylinder heads.. 90 percent of the time I get
Material in my eyes when I am not working and driving home

[MZM]

I've been thinking about doing my own dentistry. It can't be much different than working on a 914, right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Hey Nathan. You are correct, it is easy. Get a mirror and some pneumatics from HF. Look in the mirror, remember the image is backward and upside down, then drill away. No problemo. You might try getting drunk first. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/evilgrin.gif)

Michael Z McBride, DDS

PS Very good creative work on your 914.

[bandjoey]

Get a Face Mask. Goggles always fogged up so I ended up not using them. A face mask has full protection and does not fog up or get hot. Grinding wheel slag just bounces off. You're really doing a great job. Can't wait to see the new metal going on. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[Hontec]

Ha, the last picture is a familiar one.. You're in deep too I see! Nice work!!

The eye thing sounds familiar too, been there 3 times, everytime drilled out and hurts like hell for 2 days.. I never go without goggles again...

[nathansnathan]

I haven't updated in awhile, but I have been busy. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smoke.gif)

I thought I had gone to the core of it, that no more rust lay hiding, but those 2 little holes kept taunting me.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1301459732.1.jpg)

Outside it looks solid of course
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1301459733.2.jpg)

I'm glad at this point that I took it off though it was further than I ever intended to go.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1301459733.3.jpg)

The console itself being made of thicker metal was not as bad as what lay against it.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1301459734.4.jpg)

That drip there comes from a hole that comes through the long. Why they would have situated it right there to drip down on those 2 double layer holes is proof that someone was an idiot or that they made these cars to rust on purpose.

deeper

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1301459734.5.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1301459735.6.jpg)

I'd stalled a bit before getting into all that, got some glass beads, 5 gallons. I tried to upgrade my compressor, but not yet, so a lot of waiting for the tank to fill.

I've put my containment chamber about the construction.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1301459735.7.jpg)

My friend made that for me, the frame of it out of pvc pipe and fittings, as a work table light support. I sewed the drop cloth surround part to contain grinding dust. I played with using it as a paint booth on a small scale. It's getting pretty rough, so I've sacrificed it, I've sectioned it around the 914, trying to contain the bead blasting.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1301459735.8.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1301459736.9.jpg)

There's a glimpse of the 'jig' there for the outer suspension console. I'm trying to make that as short term as possible and also I'll be verifying placement by measurement, before trusting it at all. I may have some questions about that when the time comes (soon!).

Working my way back. The rust is starting to come back already. I'll hit it again before I etch it, got to get my etching stuff. I think I'm going to the paint store this weekend.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1301459736.10.png)

A little thin in a place or 2 but I've finally reached something solid! The suspension console outer was held on by more than a few welds.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1301459738.11.png)

Still a little more blasting to do on this but looking much better
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1301459739.12.jpg)

Blasting without the cabinet is a real pain in the butt. I need a hood! Can't keep the media out of my hair...or my shoes.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1301459740.14.png)

I've been filing that, the inner fender well upper for a few days now. I will start fitting the piece below tomorrow. I have 2 cans of 3m weld thru primer, and if I get the etch stuff, maybe I can be welding the outer suspension console back on this weekend! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[0396]

All I can say is – wow, good luck. What you’re attempting to do is not for the faint of heart.
Then it looks as though you have all the resources and skill set to accomplish this project.- all the best!

[Andyrew]

Looking great!

[EdArango]

Nathan....Great job....I'm in HB and would really like to check out your car.

Let me know if this is do-able.

Ed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[ripper911]

I cant add anything about the build other than "looks good, keep it up" but I know a little about self-surgery, I always like to get drunk first! Absinthe is great because it will numb you nicely while allowing you to keep focus, up to a point.

Also, I don't think that is a black widow. But, maybe thats a california black widow. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cheer.gif)

[nathansnathan]

About my mess, I've got about a 25' x 25' shop and this is as clear as it gets
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1302145255.1.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1302145256.2.jpg)

Here's the worst of it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1302145256.3.jpg)

and this inside the chamber currently:
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1302145257.5.jpg)

Got a little progress to show in there, the inner fender well butt welded in and ground the welds smooth. Used the diegrinder and then the flapwheel.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1302145257.6.jpg)

Besides the loft solution, I'm working on restoring a huge industrial shelving unit, so I have someplace to put all this stuff, but meanwhile that's taking up room, too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)

I will hit you up when I get back and get this stuff taken care of.

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. She's finally coming back together! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sunglasses.gif)

[nathansnathan]

 It's been awhile since I made an update. I can never accomplish as much as I'd like to it seems. I'd hoped for an attached outer suspension console by now, but.... well not yet. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

I did get my tank refilled with argon yesterday, and hooked up with a #9 smaller torch for my tig, but forgot to buy back caps for it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif) I have ordered some from cyberweld, got long, medium, and short. The short are like nothing so I should be able to really get in there.

I sort of lost some motivation, was really bummed out about losing my girl again. We're totally incompatible, despite that she's been my girl for ...11 years? - It's been a rough 11 years. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) Yeah, I came back early from my little vacation, lasted about 3 days of the 14 I'd planned. The bus drove awesome though both ways, and I got a chance to work on my own projects so that's a plus.

I got my mezzanine up, took me like a week. I got the 2 units for $80 a piece of craigslist. The wood was more, even, got 3/4" plywood. I've still got to paint the rest of the floor up thereg. Got to make room for the containment chamber so I can really get my mess on. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1305088954.3.jpg)

It's still a bit crowded in here, but it's not ridiculous like before. Organized some parts.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1305088954.4.jpg)
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1305088955.5.jpg)
And some more parts, still need to organize a bit more.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1305088955.6.jpg)


Oh, I found 1 of these. I had no idea there was anything supposed to be there, even! Is it called a splash pan?
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1305088955.7.jpg)

It took me forever to build up the inner inner long to get it ready for the lower inner fender well piece. I filled in like 25 holes on this thing, and built up the thin bottom section. This pic, it's not quite done. I should be putting the piece on soon so I'll have better pics then.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/www.914club.com-11782-1305088956.8.jpg)

[dheming]

Nice job on the mezzanine! Must be nice to have some more room now. Speaking of which I'm about to start on my mezzanine this weekend. Are you going to enclose the top part in to keep dust out? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)