7th September
Lovely day so going to start riveting. Floor and lower outer carriers for side pods first so have to flip chassis back upside down (thank you Catherine). Over to XL Spares for panel sealant (also buy brake pipe and P Clips in hope of fast progress). Everyone else says panel riveting is a pain and ……..they’re right! Especially with my Halfords tool for cheap rivets and the more serious 4.8mm rivets supplied by the KCW. I really am glad of my protective goggles the way the shank flies out sometimes. By end of first hour my hand is blistered, my fingers bruised and of course I’ve got sealant over my hands and arms (yes I bought rubber gloves but they are sweaty and useless given the pressures needed). Then I see that I forgot to drill the holes for riveting to the floor reinforcing bar – not a big deal now I know what to do. By lunch I am worn out, my shoulders screaming, my hands sore. Hope lunch will revive things. Finish floor etc after lunch and Emma helps to flip chassis back for me.
Decide to do passenger footwell front panel. Nightmare for hands and shoulders but I’m bloody-minded now and I force myself to do it. But this just won’t do, I’ve done 200 rivets today and I’ve still got at least 250 or more. Decide to try Mr Halfords lighter 4.8mm rivets on the unstressed drivers side outer panel. They shear from their shanks more easily but one shears off completely from its base and I cannot get it out. So I’ve got 3 in and cannot go on. I just can’t. Get in car and over to XL Spares where I open with “Tools for older people?” and get a smile. They have no longer handled riveters but are so helpful, looking through their racks for anything older I could borrow. Anyway they send me over to Kingston Tools who have a pair of long handled Draper scissor action riveters so I part with £33.50. (Plus outrageous £4.20 minimum stay charge in car park – typical Kingston on Thames)
Decide to do passenger footwell front panel. Nightmare for hands and shoulders but I’m bloody-minded now and I force myself to do it. But this just won’t do, I’ve done 200 rivets today and I’ve still got at least 250 or more. Decide to try Mr Halfords lighter 4.8mm rivets on the unstressed drivers side outer panel. They shear from their shanks more easily but one shears off completely from its base and I cannot get it out. So I’ve got 3 in and cannot go on. I just can’t. Get in car and over to XL Spares where I open with “Tools for older people?” and get a smile. They have no longer handled riveters but are so helpful, looking through their racks for anything older I could borrow. Anyway they send me over to Kingston Tools who have a pair of long handled Draper scissor action riveters so I part with £33.50. (Plus outrageous £4.20 minimum stay charge in car park – typical Kingston on Thames)
But get home and “Wahey!” Life is good. Still need the little gun in corners and use a few more Halfords rivets for those then it’s done! Looks a bit odd with a few smaller dia heads but they will be covered when I trim the car.
What a feeling of satisfaction!
E-mail from Martin who will send the uprights on Monday and price out the back axle components I’ll need. Heard of Premier Wiring from a Robin Hood builder, who make complete looms fairly cheaply so sent them an e-mail. Tried Vicki Green too for a loom on Google and as web address but she seems to have vaporised. Also ordered Rivnut tool and nuts from e-bay seller.
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