|
|
Post by pisces51 on Mar 31, 2015 20:02:31 GMT 10
G'day Ted,
Do you mean he is going to fit electric brakes to your existing axle? Reason for asking is that I have another vintage van in my shed that will require brakes fitted to it. At the moment it's got a drop axle with FJ Holden hubs/wheels fitted, but no brakes. I'm wondering whether I can get the stub axles changed and fit later Holden wheels onto it, with brakes.
cheers,
Al.
ps. I used to work with Dennis in the 1970s in the Port Kembla Steelworks. He left and went overseas for about 3 years, and when he returned he started working in his father's Spring Works and eventually took it over. I bought new springs from him for the vintage van I'm currently working on. Once he gives up working, a HEAP of knowledge will be going with him. His kids have no interest in taking over the business.
cheers,
Al.
|
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on Apr 1, 2015 9:21:39 GMT 10
Al Hi.
No I have to go from 40mm to 50mm axle + 12" electric brakes & he wants the old axle to get some measurements.
He also recons that my old springs are not original they have been beefed up (but not enough to take the extra weight) & if they are ok he could add extra leafs to them.
I'm thinking of changing from slipper to shackle springs.
So I'll soon have an axle (with 9" hydraulic brakes) & slipper springs, to suit a Franklin van (or other van) for sale.
Ted
|
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on Apr 12, 2015 22:05:27 GMT 10
Today I finally finished fibreglassing the new hatch. I first I made the mold out of 12mm ply & 75mm x 18mm timber  Then I made a lazy suzan to sit the mold onto so that I can work on all sides  Next was the Gelcoat (nice & thick) then one layer of glass - notice the clear middle to act as a skylight.  Trimming while soft is really ideal  Getting it out of the mold was a bit of a struggle but got it in the end  Now I need to paint the outside & touchup the inside |
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Apr 12, 2015 22:47:25 GMT 10
Looks terrific Ted! My only comment would be to use a marine grade clear varnish with max UV rating, to protect the clear section of glass to minimize crazing over time, and or while you are on a roll make some spares for show & tell or down he track if when you sell it, for that wow brand new look!  |
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on Apr 12, 2015 22:52:44 GMT 10
Thanks Ate - I'm happy with it but I did get a small air bubble on one side along the edge so i'll fill it with resin
I need to know if I can use Gelcoat instead of Flowcoat?
|
|
|
|
Post by atefooterz on Apr 12, 2015 23:25:27 GMT 10
After reading your post on another thread i realised that since mucking around with glues and glass since 1974ish i have never used gelcoat/flowcoat, just polyester, vinylester or epoxy! Due to weight or the repair nature all things have been with the base resin, then mixing in superlight filler (micropherres/microballons) then paint. whenever i have done stuff that needs a colour i used to have a few pots of pigment that i would mix in with the poly resin, one night in the late 1970s i was making a model boat using poly resin & chucx cloth as matt & discovered it wet out fine, so did some on a bit of E Glass with the same result. later comparing the same E Glass section but wet out with clear resin it was fractionally stronger than the one with pigment. Maybe this link will explain in easy lingo what is which? www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/methods_flowcoating.html |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2015 8:02:28 GMT 10
Great job Ted - almost looks like a bought one mate!
Cheers, Des
|
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on May 17, 2015 18:39:20 GMT 10
Last week I finally got the new Hatch on the roof  And I finished the last of the new flyscreens ---- looks like I neew to get the mower out before the lawn hides my van  Well on Friday I picked up my new springs, axle & electric brakes.   Sadly they somehow couldn't give me the HT stud pattern so they supplied me with a set of 6 stud Sunrasier wheels.  Next is attaching the solar pannels |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 18, 2015 9:25:02 GMT 10
Looking good, will travel a little better now with the new spring I bet.
What's that crop of green stuff beside the van...
|
|
|
|
Post by Mustang on May 19, 2015 7:46:35 GMT 10
Looking good, will travel a little better now with the new spring I bet. What's that crop of green stuff beside the van...  |
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on May 19, 2015 13:22:50 GMT 10
What's that crop of green stuff beside the van... Thats my neglected front lawn. |
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on May 31, 2015 20:21:24 GMT 10
Last week I finally got new tyres on the new rims  This weekend I sanded, primed & painted the altered rear bumper bar.  I also attached it to the van (weighed it first & its 30kg) I then attached the spare wheel & bracket  |
|
|
|
Post by Mustang on Jun 1, 2015 7:21:18 GMT 10
Very neat, looks like it should be there.
|
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on Jun 8, 2015 20:48:23 GMT 10
I had a very productive weekend. Firstly I altered the roof-rack for my solar panels using 2 instead of 4. Thus reducing the weight from 43kg to 18kg. from this  to this  Next I attached the new tow-hitch, Handbrake cable & electrics to the brakes  At a later date I do want to adapt the original tow-hitch to take the hand brake as it looks better.  I then got the new wheels on.  |
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2015 12:12:03 GMT 10
Thats my neglected front lawn.
And now your neglecting us members...come on where an update on the van...it's almost been a month ! 
|
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on Jul 12, 2015 19:48:41 GMT 10
Sorry folks.
My Wife & a daughter has been OS for the last 5 weeks ---- and "when the cats away etc"
They get back on the 20th so I guess I get back into the caravan.
But I've had a great time on weekends.
|
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on Sept 12, 2015 22:28:07 GMT 10
Gi'day Folks. Well I managed to get some doors made for internal cupboards.    Then it happened --- I spued out 2 x pints of blood (lucky the wife was back from her trip OS. She took me to hospital where I coffed another 2 x pints - they ended giving me 5 x pints kept me in hospital for 3 weeks. Home for 10 days and back in hospital for another 2 weeks. I have to go back on Wednesday for a checkup on surgery I had. Anyway ive managed to get all 29x doors made (still got to make 5 x drawer faces). Then I have to lacquer them all, add hinges & locks but I can only do an hours work then rest for an hour work 1 hour etc. The 15 old chipboard doors weighed 25kg the new ply ones x 29 + 5 x drawers came in at 15kg -- that's a win. Well its good to be back in the land of the living. |
|
|
|
Post by Mustang on Sept 13, 2015 7:56:33 GMT 10
You deserve a win after all that, dosn,t blood loss make you feel bad. Seems you had a peep over the other side & decided renovating is more fun!!
The doors look a treat in that two/ tone. Are you going to lacquer them or paint?
|
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on Sept 13, 2015 13:15:51 GMT 10
Definately more fun but I wish I had more energy.
Im going to lacquer them as the panels are the same as the walls & cupboards and the pine edging is the same as the table & benchtops.
No paint inside my van only on the outside.
Once all the doors are on then I'll only have some edging to finish & the inside is finished.
Photos will follow soon
|
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on Oct 4, 2015 22:01:41 GMT 10
|
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on Oct 4, 2015 22:21:32 GMT 10
I still have 10 more doors to attach but we needed to get away so we packed up on Tuesday and headed off. We got about 50k from home and the electric brakes stopped working so we found a camping rest area and found the problem.   The problem was that by the time the brakes bedding in they needed adjusting so that took a short time and then we moved on to Pete's place so that I could give the van the once over.  and the hot water system for showering.  Had a great relaxing time. |
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on Oct 4, 2015 22:33:01 GMT 10
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2015 7:36:42 GMT 10
Hi Ted
It's great to see getting out in the van, once you start using it more the stress and all the hard work seems to fade away into the distance. So where is your next trip too? |
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on Oct 5, 2015 11:47:49 GMT 10
Lawrence Hi.
Ive not planned next trip.
On Wednesday im back in hospital for a day procedure then its back to work as ive had a couple of months off.
We will be making short trips as I only work 3 days a week (when im working).
We found some great freecamping spots within 2/3 hrs away from home.
|
|
|
|
Post by tedalley on Oct 18, 2015 20:36:41 GMT 10
Well we just got back from another week away in the van. Years ago we found a great van park at Mt White.
We didnt go far as i had a problem with the electric brakes working intermittantly --- i suspect the controller might be on its way out. After all it is nearly 10 years old so ill have to get another one.
The night before we left the fridge stopped working on 240v. When we arrived at Mt White i tried the fridge on gas & it worked well i even had to turn it down. I got the idea of cleaning the electric thermostat and it worked on 240v for the time we stayed there.
Well im back to work on Tuesday so finishing the van will be slow ..... but its great using the van.
Our next trip will be to Cowra, Young & Wellington 'cause thats where June comes from. I only work 3 days a week so i can get a 6 day weekend every month & June works casual.
Anyway getting away gives you incentive to finish the van.
Ted
|
|
