Hal The Van - Page 27

dave_in_delaware · 10-04-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVvan

Aw shucks guys, you're going to give me a swelled head.

You deserve a swelled head, because you're swelling ours with great ideas, step-by-step write-ups and photos, and an overall well done DIY job, especially on systems and things that I'd be afraid of trying.

Again, kudos and major props to you!

Nomadcat · 10-04-2010, 10:24 PM

Besides, we all know that Bob is the brains in that outfit.

If he only had an opposable thumb, things would be very different, I imagine....

Oops, my boss is calling me. He wants to go for a walk.

Paul

**WVvan** · 10-05-2010, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Besides, we all know that Bob is the brains in that outfit.

Damn! The truth is out. I'm just pretty much Bob's sock puppet.

Nomadcat · 10-06-2010, 10:36 PM

I guess you're not reading his blog closely...

**WVvan** · 10-22-2010, 10:25 PM

Every dark cloud does not contain a silver lining but there might be something else in there.

My Dad's life insurance policy from 1946.

It measures 12" x 19". It looks so neat I'm thinking of framing it. The policy was for $2000 which I'm sure was a lot of money back then. Still nothing to sneeze at but I'm not the only heir.

There was enough for my new little friend who arrived today. A 230 volt combination MIG/stick inverter based welder.

Have never welded before but going to give it a try. If I get the hang of it I've already got some ideas.

All that's needed now is a 230 volt outlet, and a welding helmet and welding gloves and welding jacket and a 80cf pressurized cylinder with a 75%Argon/25%CO2 shielding gas mixture and some clamps and some more welding rods and a metal table and some steel to practice on and some welding wire and some ..............

dave_in_delaware · 10-23-2010, 08:31 AM

and and and? Wow... sounds like a lot of investment for welding.

What are you going to be welding, if I may ask?

4WheelDriveVan · 10-24-2010, 08:51 AM

LOL,

Quote:

First thing I'm going to weld is every piece of scrap metal I have laying around the garage to every other piece of scrap metal. Then go out and buy some more scrap and do it again

I'm no pro, but I taught myself to weld last year. If I can do it anyone can. I read a book called something like "Teach yourself to weld" but I learned more in the first ten minutes using the welder than the two hours it took to read the book. Play with your temp and feed speed till it sounds like bacon sizzling push, don't pull and keep your cup at about a 45 degree angle.

I've got an auto darkening helmet, and don't know how anyone can weld without one. I think I paid as much for it as the cheap welder. I really enjoy working with metal now and my cheap metal chop saw and grinder have become my new best friends. My rear bumper was my first big job and although it's nothing spectacular I made it myself for $80 rather than spend $1000 (or more) for something mass produced that I plan on scratching up and abusing anyway.

Good luck and practice makes perfect :-)

Ford_6L_E350 · 10-24-2010, 10:25 AM

With a wire feed MIG and an auto darkening helmet, welding becomes quite easy. The only trick is setting the current high enough to weld the material and low enough to not blow holes through it.

I believe that you have enough mechanical intuition to master MIG welding in short order. For me, stick welding was orders of magnitude more difficult.

Mike

**WVvan** · 11-21-2010, 06:09 PM

Now the real fun really begins.

I weld about as well as I print.

For practice I have started welding every loose piece of scrap metal I've got laying around to every other piece.
If I was famous I could call this "Art" .....

.... or maybe Steve.

**WVvan** · 11-26-2010, 09:22 PM

Back to work.

Fuel tank installation continued:
This write up isn't in chronological order so some of the pictures might look out of order. I think it makes more sense this way.

With the fuel inlet completed next up is to prep the tank. I'll need to to add a fuel standpipe, a vacuum vent and fuel level sending unit. Start with the sending unit.
It's a "VDO Gauges 226001 - VDO Fuel Tank Senders". Currently $26.95 at Summit Racing where I bought it.

The sending unit will be mounted on this platform part of the tank.

To drill through the tank I'm going to use this hole saw.

It's the same one I used to drill through the side of the van for the fuel inlet. At the time I wondered if I was going to need it again. Turns out it's the perfect size for this too.

Start with a pilot hole at the center of the mounting platform.

Then use the hole saw but keep the drill at a slow speed.

Done.

Use a curved file to clean up and smooth out the edge of the hole. Then follow that up with some sandpaper.

Here's the view down into the tank through the new hole. Fair amount of metal filings.

After several rinses at the utility sink it comes out looking clean.

continued -