Mini update!

[growler_south]

So we went a bit mad and bought a 1963 Mini, intending to rebuild it and enjoy driving it. Except we haven't made much progress in the actual rebuilding stage, because we've been buying all the tools and upgrading the workshop.

First up we needed a parts washer, so an old dishwasher was modified to do the job. Then a media blasting cabinet was built, which meant we needed a larger compressor, and of course all the fun air tools (air chisel, flanging tool, drill, die grinder, etc).

The old MIG welder has been upgraded to fan-forced cooling, and a giant Argon/CO2 bottle installed. A Mini is mostly held together with spot welds, so we bought a handheld spot welder.

Upgrading the wiring in the workshop to handle all the new toys meant putting in a dedicated 30 Amp circuit for the welders, plus a bunch of extra power outlets, along with double the number of fluorescent lights.

It seems every time we start working on something, we come up against the lack of another tool. So much so that we're talking about doing another Mini once this one is finished- the second one should be much easier.

Comments

[putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you're ready to rebuild anything now. When you said you made a parts washer out of an old dishwasher I had visions of you dumping a jug os solvent into an old kitchen built-in unit.

[growler-south.livejournal.com]

That's about it, though it's someone else's old kitchen built-in unit. Its clever electronic brain got fried, so it's now frankensteined with switches and relays.

[barbarian-rat.livejournal.com]

FrankenTools ... Monstrously Good

Why, Growler, What big tools you have

Glad you boys are doing well

[putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com]

Just make sure nothing sparks.