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This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.

MartinClan Build Progress

MartinClan 27 Aug 2008, 4:21pm
peterux wrote:
My trip to Exeter is on hold. :sad:


OK DOK
MartinClan 14 Sep 2008, 5:23pm
I have been doing some odds and ends while I wait for either my cash flow situation to improve (children - even grown up they are expensive...) or my wing stays and new wishbones to arrive. Looks like both might be sorted soon! Terry promised to send the bits Monday and I might actually get some of my "investment" in older child back.

Today's mystery object...



Solution here! http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/martinclan/pictures10.htm
peterux 20 Sep 2008, 9:33am
MartinClan wrote:
I have been doing some odds and ends while I wait for either my cash flow situation to improve (children - even grown up they are expensive...) or my wing stays and new wishbones to arrive. Looks like both might be sorted soon! Terry promised to send the bits Monday and I might actually get some of my "investment" in older child back.

Today's mystery object...



Solution here! http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/martinclan/pictures10.htm



Interesting idea as my doors have sagged a bit already and make a nasty clonk when closed by inexperinced passengers. I seem to have developed an automatic door closing technique myself but passengers treat the doors like a normal tin top and try and slam the door closed, which doesn't really work.

I might borrow your idea but fix the rubbing strip to the bottom of the doors,

thanks

Peter
MartinClan 20 Sep 2008, 7:28pm
Interesting idea as my doors have sagged a bit already and make a nasty clonk when closed by inexperinced passengers.


Used to happen on my previous kit car - it makes you cringe ...

I might borrow your idea but fix the rubbing strip to the bottom of the doors


The reason I fixed it to the sill is if you put it on the bottom of the door it will gradually scrape away the coating on the cill. If you put it on the cill it scrapes away the paint on the door - but you can't see that as it's underneath!

Robin
peterux 22 Nov 2008, 6:33pm
They look really nice! :smile:
I think they suit the car well.

I did a couple of hours on fitting my windscreen today, but it was bloody cold outside!

Peter
Patrick 22 Nov 2008, 9:29pm
They look great Robin, me likey very muchy :madgrin:

I keep meaning to carry on with my exhaust project but its too cold and I have 4 seasons of The West Wing to finish watching on DVD :lol:
GreatOldOne 28 Dec 2008, 6:15pm
Looking good, Robin. Like the cable tie base fixings. Is there nothing these things can't do? :)

I know what you mean about the temp though... Wiring is a real pain when you cant feel your fingers and the cable insulation is stiff. I've taken to warming the wires up with my hot air gun set low to make them mote pliable before stripping them. Warms the hands, too. ;)
Patrick 28 Dec 2008, 10:47pm
Nice job I think half my car is held together by zip ties and bases - I had to use rivets in some places to keep the bases sold :madgrin: :D
peterux 28 Dec 2008, 11:05pm
Looking very good, Robin.:smile: You'll have to pop down and polish my grill!
You have me intrigured to know what you will do with the smaller cut-outs?

I've not been out in the garage this xmas as it's been too cold but my Rover has 'thrown a shoe' so i guess i'm going out in the cold in the next couple of days to get my hands dirty.:mmph:
MartinClan 29 Dec 2008, 3:55pm
peterux wrote:
You have me intrigured to know what you will do with the smaller cut-outs?


I want the smaller cut-outs to appear black so I am - was - intend to use a finer mesh sprayed black. I thought B&Q had some but it turned out to be plain steel (not stainless) and would quickly go rusty even if painted. So I am still looking.
Patrick 29 Dec 2008, 5:32pm
MartinClan wrote:
I want the smaller cut-outs to appear black so I am - was - intend to use a finer mesh sprayed black. I thought B&Q had some but it turned out to be plain steel (not stainless) and would quickly go rusty even if painted. So I am still looking.


Halfords have a selection of different meshes in the "modda" section but they are quit pricey.
MartinClan 3 Jan 2009, 9:26pm
Side repeaters and wing mirrors

While I am still tring to decide what pattern instruments to use a got on with a few small jobs today. Its amazing the difference just adding a few dressy bits to the car make to how finished it looks!



More pictures here. http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/martinclan/pictures11.htm
peterux 3 Jan 2009, 9:42pm
Ooooooooh, very nice.
Nice side repeaters too :wink:
Patrick 3 Jan 2009, 10:09pm
peterux wrote:
Ooooooooh, very nice.
Nice side repeaters too :wink:


Indeed, those are very swanky, I like :D
peterux 5 Jan 2009, 9:59pm
Hi Robin,

isn't it about time you got that engine fired up!! :wink: :wink:

Peter
MartinClan 6 Jan 2009, 8:32am
It's been running - over a year ago when I first completed the necessary - but not since. Will be starting it again soon though and hopefully a quick drive (up and down my driveway of course....) but I am waiting for the welder to come and weld in the seat belt "turning" tube before I put any fuel in it again.
peterux 6 Jan 2009, 1:25pm
MartinClan wrote:
It's been running - over a year ago when I first completed the necessary - but not since. Will be starting it again soon though and hopefully a quick drive (up and down my driveway of course....) but I am waiting for the welder to come and weld in the seat belt "turning" tube before I put any fuel in it again.


Sorry robin, I must have missed that event :sorry:

So its the magical first drive, is the next milestone :madgrin:
peterux 25 Jan 2009, 12:42pm
So you can see the light at the end of the tunnel !!
MartinClan 2 Feb 2009, 1:36pm
This weekend I cut out the prototype dash. All I need are the instruments now. Why prototype? - Well I screwed up one of the smaller instrument holes and its - err - slightly oval. Anyway I ordered another bit of ally from Europa but I think I will wait till the instruments arrive and see if the bezel covers my misdemeanor...



I do like the machine turned finish but if anyone else decides to go this way be careful - it is a very soft ally which means:

A - It's difficult to cut as the waste gets stuck in the teeth of the tools
C - Deburring the holes is a pain - I found a very sharp but carefully wielded Stanley knife was the best thing to use.
B - It scratches very easily
Patrick 2 Feb 2009, 1:54pm
I did something very similar with my hazard button on the leatherette covering, its now got a nice brushed ali bezel :madgrin:

Looking good :)
GreatOldOne 2 Feb 2009, 2:16pm
Looking good, Robin - Still haven't cut mine yet.

a) It's been too cold
b) I'm getting paranoid about the placement. I don't have the padded dash surround, or the 'A' pillar bodywork covers. So I can't be sure that the scuttle top is aligned, and as that could mean stretching the fiberglass, and I have no idea where the fixing holes will be.

I have been toying with the idea of making my own dash surround though, out of wood like the green car in the side exhaust thread... But it would need to be the same width as the doors and door cappings, and as I don't have those either...

I'm just going to have to wait, aren't I, until I can order some more bits from Marlin. Bah. :(
MartinClan 2 Feb 2009, 2:41pm
All the cappings are 50mm wide at the base. I am also making my own but still padded like from Marlin. I solved the problem of where to get 50mm D shaped foam from. I reckon solid wood will be pretty tricky unless you are either a good carpenter or good at wood carving! And you would have to keep varnishing them!

Robin