[zukenutter]

christover1 wrote:

I lashed out on dearer rods than usual, cigweld, it made a big difference.
Still can't weld, but it was much easier than when I last used ozito rods.

That was a tip I read somewhere on here a while ago, then I bought a gasless mig and haven't looked back. My new welder is gas/gasless

[christover1]

They were like $10 instead of $5, but worth every cent of it.
Still can't justify some of the $30 rods, though.

[christover1]

Turns out my welding is better than I thought, but definitely still not great.
Welder head was loose, causing issues, welded better when fixed.
But then it started welding bad again, then I noticed the amp changer had shot back to 50amps.
(It has always done that, but my hi tech clamper musta been loose)
Was still not great but much better after that was sorted.
Then it stopped working completely.
Main lead had broken off its terminal.
So I dodgied that up, and welding improved dramatically.
I then redid the welds I had already done, not pretty, but I am convinced it is strong enough now.
Still another days grinding and welding to do.

[Red89]

When you can afford it lash out on some WIA Miller rods, I prefer them then the Cigweld ones. But yes good rods make good welds making life easier.

Progress looks good

[christover1]

Thanks. It was a relief to get the welds working better.

[christover1]

I think the sealer/glue was a waste of time.
Most of it burnt out I reckon.
And it interfered with the weld.
Rest won't have any sealer added.

[Mike57]

Good to see you have recovered from the heat and back at work Chris. Its a bit like the end of winter when everyone comes outside again. I was missing your daily updates.

[christover1]

I was getting cabin fever I think.
Managed a bit of research, measuring and general and thinking on it.

[christover1]

Welding of draw bar all done.
Time to start painting new work, the guards, and the bits of the chassis that are visible.
Tried to take a photo, but was too dark in shed, wait till I move it back outside again.
Which will be after I can refit the jockey wheel.

[christover1]

My bar is longer now.
As promised, no close up shots of welds
Feels good to get that done, can move it around again, now, making it easier to work on.
Once drawbar, guards and rest of chassis is painted, I will finish wiring it,
so I can then tow it around again
Finishing the inside and a few odds and sods can be done at a slower pace, or I will fizzle out

[Marko_SJ]

Berry berry nays Christover.

Its good to see this coming together, yet another example on AZ showing what a man can do in a shed with an angle grinder, welder and some glue.

[christover1]

And more screws than I ever thought possible.
I should have bought a bulk pack at the start.

[christover1]

Black bits all done, 2 coats of primer, and 2 coats of top coat, plus a 3rd in more exposed areas.
Grey bits will have to wait till after I skin the corners with angle.
Angle will also be fitted round mudguard / wall joint, so my inexpert painting daubs won't matter

[Luhrsy68]

Looks great! Thanks for sharing your build. Looks like it's nearly ready for rego.

[christover1]

It is already registered, but will let them know of body change, once I weigh it,
and see if it is still within the ranges of the original chassis and id plate.
If not, will start with a new rego.
If all goes well, should be road towable in a day or two.
Needs corners braced, and roof flashing before it is off roadable.

[christover1]

Finaly had our first road trip.
Couldn't go far, due to no petrol till pay day,
but very happy with the around town performance.
Could hardly feel it there,
though I know big hills and windy days will let me know it is there.
Going off road testing was soooo tempting, but need to wait till corner strips are on first.
Don't want to stress it's joints too much, yet.
Reversing is extremely more easy, with the longer drawbar/wheel base.
Height worked out well, only a dash taller than my Vit, but less than the Vits roof bars.
No more big jobs till pay day, but will be out testing until petrol runs out.

[zukenutter]

Looks awesome but your girl friend is a bit of a dog

[christover1]

zukenutter wrote:

Looks awesome but your girl friend is a bit of a dog

And won't do as she is told, either
So she may as well be a wife

[kenn]

Nice !

[christover1]

kenn wrote:

Nice !

I felt special, I like being a trailer trash member

I just did a quick bathroom scales weighing.
It was showing 38kg ball weight, and 138kg at each wheel.
I doubt it is an accurate method or scales,
but gives me a rough idea that it should be under my unbraked towing limit of 450kg.
Not sure if that adds up simply to a total of 314, I imagine its heavier than that.
Will do a proper weigh bridge at some stage.

[zukenutter]

I think that method is fairly accurate

[missmyljdaze]

[quote="christover1
Will do a proper weigh bridge at some stage.[/quote]

if you are told by your transport mob that you have to get a proper weighbridge ticket for the change of trailer body type- just remember to take out everything you can before it gets weighed

stephen.

[christover1]

Did that with the old one

[christover1]

I test drove it proper today, towed it up to mums in the hills.
Which is around 25k's each way.
Happy with it so far, big long steep hills were no real problem, for a mighty powerhouse 1.6 .
Auto never got hot.
Braking was fine, and it handled well enough for what it is.

I was very pleased with ventilation, it was parked a few hours in the hot sun,
and was perfectly cool inside. Car was stinking hot.

I got to wear a cool hat, too

[christover1]

Hopefully my weight loss will start showing soon

[kenn]

You just keep that in your pants ok.

[Matthew]

You beat me too Chris. I don't think my car will be ready by the next club meeting.

[christover1]

Matthew wrote:

You beat me too Chris. I don't think my car will be ready by the next club meeting.

[christover1]

Found some easy, free jobs to do while its too hot.
I am fitting the floor storage trapdoors and the hinges.
And fitting some support blocks for the lining.

[pezz]

trailer is looking great,
i think i might have to look into doing something like this