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Post by keelz on Jul 5, 2008 15:55:12 GMT 10
hi all, finally figured out this photobucketing thing and have managed to get a photo uploaded. after some mucking around to re-size a pic... here she is....'79 Viscount Supreme Deluxe 18ft'er When i re-size some more pics ill show u the inside Keelz
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Post by kiwijim on Jul 5, 2008 17:54:31 GMT 10
G'Day KEELZ, Thats a real pretty Viscount you have there, looks like it has been looked after, I had one back in 98, the only difference was that mine was a pop-top, we wish we had never sold it now as it took us half way around the country with-out any trouble. below is a photo of our van, unfortunately the shadow of the house has covered some of it but it still reminds us of the great times we had in it. hope you enjoy yours equally. kiwijim ;D
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Post by keelz on Jul 5, 2008 19:14:08 GMT 10
Thanks Kiwijim, it certainly has received a lot of TLC since we purchased it late last year..... You should have seen the photos when i first bought her home :- It had been neglected for too long. Since then we have done a lot of work, if i typed a list of the stuff we have done i'd run out of room! It's coming together quite nicely there's always something to do on it but we seem to be slowly ticking off the big ticket items. cheers Keelz
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2008 17:48:27 GMT 10
Now that's a thing of beauty.
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Post by millard1399 on Jul 6, 2008 19:39:31 GMT 10
Hooley Dooley, that's one nice lookin' van! Seems to be in pretty good condition, and it certainly shows the hours you've put into bringing it back up to 'spec' D*mn fine job you've done there, Keelz! ;D ;D cheers, Al. (ps. I came back and modified this post because it seems the word 'D*mn' is unacceptable if spelt out. The system automatically converted it to d**n. Big Brother is watching... b*gger! )
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Post by keelz on Sept 14, 2008 12:43:12 GMT 10
Thanks all for the words of encouragement.... ok i've been lazy posting some updates. Al and Atog you have convinced me that i am not the only CC'er who has completely lost the plot restoring these vans ;D ;D ok here was re-wiring the tail light circuits...nothing more fun than chasing new earth cables down van wall cavities! Original lights used aluminium cladding as earth point - Jeez that will work well until the screws rust out haha good work Viscount! INSTALL A DEDICATED EARTH WIRE U PENNY PINCHIN' MANUFACTURERS - ITS ONLY 1 EXTRA WIRE and 12 VOLT 'DROPS' LIKE RUBBISH AT THE TIP this one even shows the 'groovy' white earth wire on l/h side that the caravan dealer had installed before the previous owner had purchased - "yeh mate the lights all work fine!" look at me, i actually have a new tail light and my number plate has it's own dedicated light! (how did my naughty builder ever get me registered back in '79 ??) I don't know about this new cheap $2.50 number plate light from Kmart that my new owner has wired onto me though....... HEHE He thinks it will last but i think the sun will destroy it in 6 months tops....haha i'm not going to tell him though....i'll break it open on the freeway and ditch the globe while i'm hot to trot! ;D New rear window shade and ooohh ahhhh new Decals to boot! Now the front shade is jealous.... Had to re-design the mounting of the adjustable sashes fitted by Camec during manufacture and fabricate some new brackets out of some old aluminium angle (got to love Dad's stash of old aluminium window sections he keeps sitting around under the house!). The new insulated shades with the foam inside and panelling are much better than the old design fitted to the front... Time to pull the front shade off.....many rivets in it's hinge had sheared off over time and it was all faded so thought i'd repaint before new decals to the front.....bit the bullet and here we go.. Took about 30 green colour cards home from that big green hardware store and rolled around on the front lawn deciding which kermit green it should be ;D ;D ;D Laying vinyl tiles where we ripped up the 1979 shag pile in the bedroom (didn't stop sneezing for 2 days after pulling it up ) new wheel arch knocked up with CD STRUCTURAL PLYWOOD .....GRRRR If i EVER and i mean EVER see anyone using that garbage called Particleboard/Chipboard/MDF inside Vans I promise to declare holy war lol factory bed frame and timber slats was kinda ok so we have put new spring mattress in.... still found it too saggy, so up to Bunnies for some galv. equal angle and some old offcut of 25 x 25 tube section to knock up a new centre post (not shown in pic). Put the old slat frame back on top and works a treat. Truma gas/240v electric hot water and mains pressure inlet installed along with John guest push fit plumbing internally, i now remember my parents 1980'ish Viscount pop-top with it's handpump that took 1 year to fill a sink....look back and just giggle now ;D When i get the water tank back in underneath she's getting a 12v pump set-up and battery so we can go anywhere and free-camp. well thats enough for a mornings posting while its raining outside! finished replacing every single plastic snap cap on both sides of van yesterday..... i'll post more details separately but i can assure u i never ever want to see a packet of plastic snap-caps ever again!!
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Post by atouchofglass on Sept 16, 2008 6:29:36 GMT 10
It must be said that there is satisfaction in a job well done Your Viscount is coming along nicely Haven't seen the insulated shades before... What is it made from? The one big thing I prefer about your van is the dual wheels.. At 18 ft with duel wheels it should be a light tow I suspect. With any restoration it gives you the chance to remove the old and dangerous... (read wiring) and replace properly You can also express your preferences as you're not restricted as the manufacturer was Keep at it and it will be over all too soon... Looking at what you've done with the shades ... made me think of my own ... sooooo Now the front shade is in the lean too getting a coat of etch primer ready to be painted.... Thanks for the boost... ;D ;D ;D Cheers Atog
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Post by keelz on Sept 16, 2008 12:46:15 GMT 10
Thanks Atog, yeah i agree - nothing like sitting back after many hours of hard yards and just sitting back thinking how all those cuts, grinder burns, fingers with screwdrive holes in them was all worth it ;D think i'm starting to see some light in the tunnel, a bit more work underneath yet to go but starting to get some momentum now.... Got the insulated shades through Caravansplus.com.au, (manufactured and delivered direct by Camec). The shade is two skins of painted aluminium slotted into the aluminium frame (you can choose a rippled or smooth finish) and they have a thin skin of polystyrene insulation sandwiched in between. It really keeps the heat of the back window when i compare it to the front shade which came with the van and is merely an offcut of the original ally cladding material held in with some glazing bead off-cuts. yeah the tandem thing was a major factor when looking for a van. Many people tried to discourage us away from tandems with all sorts of old wives tales - but we are glad we bought a tandem axle setup. It now has new steel rims and light truck tyres fitted and tows nicely. She weighed in for rego at 1230kg Tare which even once we add in our gear is still a manageable weight to tow behind the falcon. New vans of similar size are so much heavier ;D You mention a very good point which reminds me....speaking of electrics i must look into retro-fitting a circuit breaker and RCD/Safety switch for the 240v wiring as there is no protection in these old vans against the circuits being overloaded. thank goodness the neighbour is a sparky cheers Keelz
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Post by atouchofglass on Sept 16, 2008 17:22:01 GMT 10
Hey Keelz New laws state that all power points need to be double poled and the circuit breaker is an excellent idea
Double pole power points are to stop you being electrocuted no matter which position the switch is in...
At about $40 each for double power points it isn't cheap but it is worth it.
Most of the caravans and RV's are now converting to 12V Ie the power inlet is 240V and it is converted to 12v All the interior lights etc are then in 12v.... I'm not sure about the white goods
Cheers Atog
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Post by keelz on Dec 3, 2008 17:52:15 GMT 10
Well i've been a bit lazy for a while, been a long time between posts.... but i've had a good excuse. I've been the wirebrushin' n paintin' monster under the van. Bye bye flakey garbage hello red oxide primer. I've still got more to do on some of the side angles supporting the wall frames, but that will require more detailed repairs. So far the top coats are 1/3 of the way down the van from up front. I now just have to get the motivation to get back under and get the top coats on. Ouch i can feel my back and neck twitching already. Al, if you're reading this I was reading your post about cutting out the water-tank and getting a sense of deja vu. My tank is identical and I did the exact same thing that you did, out with the grinder and cut the rusted bolts out. I'm in the process of fixing up the cradle then once all painting is finished underneath the water tank is going back in. cheers Keelz
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Post by millard1399 on Dec 3, 2008 20:12:25 GMT 10
Keelz, looking back through your previous photos in this thread, you've done some amazing work on your van! ;D ;D Gees, I wish I'd bought a Viscount van...I've always thought they were a very classy looking van, with lots of "style". Heaps better looking than another brand that will remain nameless, but which I'm very familiar with By sheer coincidence, I'm doing exactly what you are doing at the moment. Originally I just did the perimeter and swore blind I wouldn't be crawling back under the van AGAIN! But, the more you get into working on these vans, and the more bits that you 'renew', anything left untouched starts to look a bit 'shabby'. Hence my stupid brain convinced me to get back under there and pull the water tank out. And of course my brain then says, "Well, you can't really put that tank back in without painting all the chassis first, can you??!" So, guess what I've spent 5 hours doing yesterday, plus another 4 hours today, plus quite a few hours still to come?? So, Keelz, I know EXACTLY what you are doing, and I COMMISERATE with you 100%!! The only suggestion I can give you is to go and get a thick cardboard carton to lie on under the van. I use a carton that an outdoor table setting came in. Long enough for my height and a bit of width to roll around on. The thick cardboard gives a bit of comfort instead of lying on the hard ground, and you can spill paint on it without getting into trouble. Are you planning on painting the underside of the floor as well? Only asking because my brain says to me yesterday, "Well, you can't just paint the chassis while you're under here...you might as well paint the floor too!" [...anybody want a brain that's giving me the sh*ts?!!] Once again, some amazing work being done on your van. The only consolation with what you're currently doing is that it's one of the rare times where you can be justified in "lying down on the job"! ;D ;D Keep the good news coming... cheers, Al.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 3, 2008 21:44:52 GMT 10
Keelz, I have been reading through this thread and I am very impressed with what you have done with the van. Certainly put the new vans to shame when it comes to style.
Did you use automotive paint on the aluminum shade? I am thinking of painting the yellow highlights on the Quest. Do you know if the green shade originally white? I think it looks better green and I am thinking of colour coding ours too.
Can you take some more interior shots so we can see the lounge and kitchen?
Ian
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Post by Deleted on Dec 4, 2008 6:14:43 GMT 10
A grand job Keelz to be sure.
Yours and Millard1399's restos are sure getting me itchy to start on my project.
Keep up the posts and the good work.
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Post by keelz on Dec 4, 2008 9:56:06 GMT 10
I like the sound of a cardboard box Al - if i had a concrete slab for the van i'd probably get one of those mechanic's skids! I've got a couple of old lounge cushions, i usually carry them in underneath, find a comfy position, then get painting. I've realised that two layers of disposable latex gloves are the best way of keeping one's hands clean, along with long sleeves, hats and goggles to avoid one's glasses and head turning speckled! The red skunk stripe across the forehead is not a good look! Yep, Al you guessed it, i'm going to re-seal the underside of the ply flooring once i've finished rectifications to all of the steelwork. I havent decided on a final product selection yet, but will most likely be either some left over external grade paint, a sealer or i also have a large bucket of bitumenous waterproofing left over which would soak into the old ply and seal it up quite nicely. I can potter away on those little squares at a time in between the steelwork at a later date and go completely NUTS . I too have a d@*( brain that keeps adding more work to the bottom of the list! ;D The floor has copped a lot of dirt and water up towards the rear of the van, mainly spun up by the wheels. Again another design flaw - no flaps! . Once i've finished tidying up the steelwork at the perimeter near the wheelarches i am thinking a couple of decent sized Mud flaps are needed behind the rear wheels. This will stop a lot of the spray particularly when driving during wet weather. After our last holiday we towed in a torrential storm for the last 30 minutes of the journey - it is amazing to see how much water and muck gets thrown up on the chassis and the flooring - and this is where the rust and rot often gets the friendly assistance it needs to flourish. After chassis is completed i am going to finish wire brushing back all the leaf springs and the axle. The axle will probably get a rust conversion, primer and rust-guard enamel treatment like the rest of the van. I've got a spray can of Fish oil and will use that to paint and soak all the springers, u-bolts, plates in that stuff once i've removed any minor surface rust. A couple of sprays every few months should keep that side of things in good order, ithat stuff used to work wonders on my old boat trailer. Ian - in answer to your queries, i used Wattyl Solaguard (water based external acrylic). Now I know some people may say.... "cmon Keelz that is house-paint!". I saw a bloke's classic van last year who had re-painted his van (using a brush! ) and was impressed. So i decided to have a crack myself. I basically diluted it down enough to make it spray-able. Solarguard is a pretty good paint - if you've used it around the house it doesn't need much in terms of priming, etc. It seems to keep it's gloss, doesn't flake, etc when i've painted gutters, fascias, external doors, tilt-a-doors, etc. I used a finishing spray gun from Bunnings (about $25?) and a 25 litre air compressor. I'll try and remember to take a photo of it installed back on the van and you can compare it to the old photos in this thread. I would like to learn how to spray 2 pack enamel auto paints - I just haven't had the time yet to get the gear and have a go - i'll most likely try it on a smaller project. The front shade was originally green. The Viscount Supreme's of this era had colour stripes down the sides, coloured front protector shade and coloured wheel spats either side. When i'm in the van next ill take some interior shots. for anyone who has to about to embark on a restoration and clean back their chassis - i found these discs to be incredibly handy on the 4 inch grinder in addition to using conventional wirebrushes, etc. Not too abrasive but very good at removing old paint, crud, rust, etc back before rust converting and priming. cheers Keelz
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Post by atouchofglass on Dec 4, 2008 17:57:39 GMT 10
Hey Keelz The van is coming along nicely those blue discs you have there are the same as I used to clean up the insides of the overhead cupboards before flowcoating them.
They are great for removing stuff without being to ruff ;D ;D ;D
Cheers Atog
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Post by keelz on Dec 5, 2008 20:00:53 GMT 10
As promised ;D The front protector shade after the re-spray, next step is to re-apply Viscount decal and the Supreme deluxe decals..... Internal view of the rear Kitchen - new double pole RCD circuit breaker covering the van, all new double pole GPO's installed throughout.... View to the front lounge (with the top bunk folded up and out of the way.... The dining area (replaced all foam and re-upholstered) New vinyl tile flooring (from those packs in Bunnings with the self adhesive backing) Just finished re-building the old rattler rangehood. Had suffered rust internally near back louvre opening to wall vent - Stripped entire unit down into pieces, R&R'd the motor, removed rust, fabricated new mesh filter, re-sprayed in Hammertone and all put back in last week.... So it's coming along on both fronts - inside and out. Currently fiddling with the fridge venting and installation of additional fans & opening up better venting behind the fridge to cope in hotter weather. .. more to do Keelz
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Post by keelz on Dec 6, 2008 14:43:16 GMT 10
and today after applying the top coats of silver RustGuard....ok it's too hot outside to keep tinkering on other stuff and my arms, neck and back have had enough! keelz
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Post by millard1399 on Dec 6, 2008 17:38:59 GMT 10
Hey Keelz, looking at the interior shots, all the cupboards and wall panelling seem to be in pretty good condition, eh?! Looks like the van has been reasonably well looked after inside over the years. The new floor tiles look 'schmick', and the paint job on the rangehood is even 'schmicker'. Daamn fine job there lad!! ;D ;D Gees you're quick with the paint job on the chassis! I'm still struggling after 3 days, although I've now done the whole underside in the primer. Used the metal primer on the underfloor as well as on the metal. Coudn't be bothered switching to another paint, so it's all going to get done in the silver chassis paint as well. Will look nice and bright once I get all the strobe lights and party lights set up under there as well, ha ha! ;D ;D Love the Viscounts!! cheers, Al.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2008 13:56:34 GMT 10
Keelz, I agree with Al - all looks great. Lots of hard work and all happening so quickly too. You are making me feel guilty about the state my van is in.
Thanks for the advice on the painting that has also been into practice with your van shown in your pictures throughout this thread. As with the other vans being worked I am looking forward to seeing the job evolve.
Ian
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Post by keelz on Dec 9, 2008 22:47:11 GMT 10
well guys you sure aint wrong about the hard work bit .... Tonight i finally decided to roll up the sleeves and start tackling the perimeter chasis angle section that supports the wall frames. In typical Keelz fashion i've knocked over a lot of easy stuff on the rest of the chassis, now it's time for the final show-down... it's gonna be a stand-off - Keelz vs. arch nemesis 'El Rustero', a well known local van wrecker. Well there is nothing better than come home from work and get under your van and just wash away all those work stresses by braining your noggin repeatedly against sharp unforgiving parts of the chassis whilst holding spinning powertools... and make some noise and throw some hot sparks around to boot! This is one area that rather sadly, the previous owners of my van have neglected, to say the least..... When i first looked at the van i knew that this would take a fair bit of work to fix up and it was something we took into consideration when we made our offer to purchase and how much we were willing to pay. So at this point i'm gonna stop whinging......or maybe not........ As mentioned in previous posts it is mainly the rear sections on either side of the van. So i will start with the primary steelwork first, then deal with any tidying up required to the flooring later. The kerb side is the first to get opened up. So these were some pics as i started cleaning back the flakes, the bits 'n' pieces, etc. Flamin' wirebrush will you stop uncovering more holes!! the trusty fluoro and floodlights are gonna get a work-out these next few weeks with extended "daylight slaving" hours The spats off, the ally moulding comin off.... another job for later on polishing up metal and re-sealing After removing all loose stuff, wirebrushing and treating with rust converter.... It looks pretty bad from the photos but is remarkably still pretty sound despite the considerable damage. There are a few contributing factors in my opinion 1. Lack or non-existence of original protective paint coatings; 2. High concentration of road water/contaminants thrown up directly behind the rear wheels (also evidenced by the rot in sections to the plywood floor); 3. Electrolysis occuring between the alloy frame and the steel angle that it bears on. The steel is sacrificing and a reaction is occuring. If the steel had better paint coatings this wouldn't probably occur so quickly.......there is no separation strip between the dissimilar metals. If only the lads in the Viscount factory years ago understood the galvanic series. My guess is there is probably a lot of new vans that will have the same problem in 20-30 years. 4. Failure of old putty sealant to the bottom corner trim, which allows water to run off the walls down into the sub-frame angle and accelerate the rate of corrosion. So.....the solution won't be perfect but i think will work ok. I am not going to open Pandora's box and try to remove the existing steelwork. That would involve just about dismantling the entire van and would be a little bit overkill. Instead i will treat and protect the existing steelwork and reinforce. The next step is to fibreglass bog all openings, cracks, holes, etc to make watertight in the rusted section and protect the existing steel against further attack. I will then shape off and seal/paint. After this I will probably weld in a new section or section/s of perhaps a 90 deg 'L' shaped steel angle. The adjacent cross members are in pretty good shape with healthy welds back to the main chassis so I can use these for support. I will try and attach the new angle to these and have the angle section sitting up nice and tight under the existing lip/corner of the existing steelwork. Hopefully this will assist in reinforcing and transfer load/weight from the wall frames back to the main chassis ok. The only problem with doing welding to this area (apart from doing vertical welds underneath the van) is that the plywood linings behind the existing steel is very very close. As the steel gets red hot ....mmmmmm - I'll have to be very careful not to set the whole lot on FIRE ;D ;D. I'm still working on the "how-to-not-create-a-disaster" guide and will come back to that later. I figure that now is the time to do this before any long trips on bumpy NSW roads. Plywood flooring - after I finish the steelwork i want to patch up a few sections of the flooring before i re-seal. Hey ATOG if you're reading this - I remember on a post of yours you knocked up a mix of Fibreglass resin to help soak into the timber and help bring it back to life... would be great if you could give me some pointers I saw a product being used on one of those home shows earlier this year, the chippy painted it on the rotten window frames after scraping out the dry rot. Does anyone know what that stuff is called? ATOG or Al, can someone post the the black gas hose down to me once you are finished with it. I am going to need it the next cpl of weeks Keelz
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Post by atouchofglass on Dec 10, 2008 6:16:06 GMT 10
Hey Keelz That is a lot of work there Not that anyone needs to tell you that Just reading your post and being very amateur at welding ...... Would stitch welding the angle in help keep the heat to a minimum? Then using a very damp rag between welds? The attempt at soaking resin into the entrance timber of the Olympic was posted on V V and was successful to a degree. It is a cheap way of creating a solid surface in timber that is on the way out. In the case of my van it was just starting to get the dreaded dry rot. Diluted the resin with acetone until it would run reasonable easily Then added at least 3% catalyst perhaps more.... not an exact science.. Also depends on how hot the ambient temp is. Took around 8 hours to go off. The system you are looking at as an alternative is called "The West System" An expensive alternative I'm told Admittedly I never investigated it further because the area was so small it didn't warrant chasing it up. One mans expensive is anothers reasonable The West System uses a watery fluid that soaks right into the timber and goes off like a rock. Almost fossilizes the timber Mate of mine used it in a freezer van 20 odd years ago and it was magic stuff. The timber will never rot out It is the bees knees if you are going to use it By the way Can't send you the black hose and attachments The wife is currently finding new used and tortures for me with it Brake fluid ..... ouch Still not going out there to work in this infernal heat/humidity wave. Just enjoying the together time with the wife ;D ;D ;D ;D Ouch owww d**n woman be a little more gentle with the brass end will you !!!!!!! Keep up the great work Keelz and have a few beers along the way it makes the job less tedious Atog ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by atouchofglass on Dec 10, 2008 6:25:30 GMT 10
Just looking at your photos again makes me think about how amazing these vans are to last as long as they have with little to no maintenance being given over their life.
All man made structures have need of maintenance and neglect only bites us in the butt....
Guess that is why only enthusiasts restore these old vans or cars or planes or ....... ad infinitum
Keep going mate you will win
Cheers Atog
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Post by Deleted on Dec 10, 2008 7:23:22 GMT 10
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Post by keelz on Dec 10, 2008 8:56:44 GMT 10
thanks guys for that great info and the words of encouragement. i'm now working up my second wind. I've got a tin of fibreglass reinforced bog so will start mixing that up in sections and filling up first. Container says its suitable for repairs holes up to 50mm in diameter in car bodies, chassis, etc... Atog, yeah i reckon small tack welds will be the way to go...that should help reduce heat buildup. I'll just have to inspect regularly as work proceeds to make sure nothing starts smouldering inside the wall frame. ;D I was a bit apprehensive about starting this part of the project, but the further i get into it, the more confident i am that pretty much anything on these old vans is fixable, it just takes loads of elbow grease and hard yakka. now i gotta go scratch around here at work and rustle up some nice sized steel off-cuts.... hopefully somebody has some angle offcuts that i can cut down and use. More quality time with the grinder Comments noted about the black hose of self infliction....who's a lucky boy eh Atog ;D thanks again Take it easy Keelz
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Post by millard1399 on Dec 12, 2008 18:37:54 GMT 10
Keelz, I reckon if I had the view you've got looking out from under the van, I don't think I'd EVER get anything done!! ;D A couple of pillows and a bloke could spend the whole afternoon just watching the world go by... Just pull the trigger on the drill every so often so 'her inside' thinks you're still on the job... Between your chassis and mine, I reckon we can add a bit of useful info to the thread on the "Tips for buying a Classic Caravan". Certainly this sort of rust could give some purchasers a nasty surprise. cheers, Al.
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