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Old 08-22-2013, 10:01 AM   #221
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Maybe Lorna?
Someone did I'm sure

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Old 08-22-2013, 10:28 AM   #222
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Looks like the next two weekends will be some fun. I get an extended weekend next because of Labor Day, just in time. My steel will be here and cut by two this afternoon. Good thing I have most of the roof welded, I have to drive across the street to pick it up. My 3/16 Structural Rivets will come in tomorrow.

The windows won’t be here until Monday, but I'm starting from the back working forward anyway.
Update, I just got an e-mail from UPS. They are in New Stanton, PA and will be delivered tomorrow.

Question about making the end cap; I'm going to weld to the rear piece and slide the top band under the raised roof and rivet together at that support. I have never welded sheet steel, do you just tack and use something like bondo to fill it the rest of the way, or do you weld the complete seam. Everything I see on TV, they just tack weld and fill.
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Old 08-22-2013, 05:54 PM   #223
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Quote:
Originally Posted by wmkbailey
Anyone try to install one of these retractable screen doors on the front door?
Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil
Maybe Lorna?
If I recall correctly, Lorna once mentioned having the "As Seen on TV" magnet screens that hang like a bead curtain across the opening. You, your dog, or your cat just push your way through the middle, and the two halves part like the Red Sea in front of Moses' rod. Pass through, and magnets sewed into the center seam snap the two halves closed to keep the nasty flyin' critters out.

If I remember wrongly, chalk it up to "Old-Timers' Disease." But they are a good idea worth trying.

Edit: Wow! Post #800. It took me over five and a half years to get this far, though.
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Old 08-22-2013, 08:55 PM   #224
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil
Maybe Lorna?
Someone did I'm sure
I see back in 2011 Lorna was looking into this screen, but I think Redbear is correct and she went with the "As Seen on TV" magnet screens
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Old 08-22-2013, 09:55 PM   #225
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

We have one of the magnetic door screens and it works pretty well considering it only has 4 closing magnets. If I was going to get another one I'd get a "Magic Mesh" screen which has 18 magnets and looks like it closes way better than ours.
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Old 08-22-2013, 11:32 PM   #226
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

You will stich seam it. Do not weld solid.
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Old 08-23-2013, 08:05 AM   #227
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Quote:
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You will stich seam it. Do not weld solid.
Yes, I plan to stich seam the weld, my question is do I overlap them and weld the entire joint or space them and fill with some kind of body filler.
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Old 08-23-2013, 08:24 AM   #228
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Quote:
Originally Posted by wmkbailey
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuckyChow
You will stich seam it. Do not weld solid.
Yes, I plan to stich seam the weld, my question is do I overlap them and weld the entire joint or space them and fill with some kind of body filler.
If it were me, I would just stitch (space them) and fill. I had a tear on the top of my bus that I had to weld and it was a PAIN. Thin sheet metal and using only fluxcore...that was fun I actually did weld the entire thing, but I felt that it was structural, and I needed to seal it. I was in Mexico and didn't have any filler
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Old 08-23-2013, 11:50 AM   #229
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Fluxcore is def. NOT what you want to weld thin sheet metal

Now if you had access to a couple cunksof copper or alum say 2x4x3 and radiused on "small" end you could have an assistant inside bus with gloves holding it against the sheet metal as you stick it up a few pcs of alum is best so they can cool
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Old 08-23-2013, 12:29 PM   #230
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Quote:
Originally Posted by bansil
Fluxcore is def. NOT what you want to weld thin sheet metal
I know. Fluxcore was about the worst choice, but it was all I had and I didn't have gas. For rusty exhaust that I don't feel like removing and cleaning, though...it is by far my favorite. I crank the temp all the way up, turn my speed up to match, and let 'er burn (in about 1 second increments, lol)
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Old 08-23-2013, 02:35 PM   #231
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

I know I used fluxcore when I did shock mounts...mmmm..snow,water,grease....better penetration...oh and the wind...I feel the pain
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Old 08-23-2013, 03:45 PM   #232
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

I'm using fluxcore, with my welder turned down to feed of 2 and low current, it will do 18 ga. the roof and what I got to join the roof is 16 ga. Spacing the welds is what I wanted to hear, less welding is good.

Oh, I have done 16 ga with an arc welder, that was fun.

So... what is a good filler to use
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Old 08-23-2013, 05:43 PM   #233
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Kitty hair--by Bondo I think. Fills fast and has some strength. Then regular Bondo or metal glaze to finish to prime.
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Old 08-23-2013, 07:38 PM   #234
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Quote:
Originally Posted by wmkbailey
Quote:
Originally Posted by LuckyChow
You will stich seam it. Do not weld solid.
Yes, I plan to stich seam the weld, my question is do I overlap them and weld the entire joint or space them and fill with some kind of body filler.
Don't weld it solid. User a filler between welds. We used "All Metal" filler on my buses between the stitch seams. It has strength and will stay in the holes.
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Old 08-24-2013, 03:05 PM   #235
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Quote:
Originally Posted by wmkbailey
Oh, I have done 16 ga with an arc welder, that was fun.
That sounds horrible, lol... My arc welding skills are non existent.
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Old 08-24-2013, 07:41 PM   #236
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

It was a beautiful day today and tomorrow will be the same, high only 80. I worked a long day, but it seemed like I didn't get much done.

I finished welding the supports. Pulled the Ram-Supports off and welded those also.



I spent the rest of the time prepping to put the new skin on. I had to remove the cover panels on the inside over the engine cover. The drivers side I will have to put back on, it is part of the air intake. You can see it behind the ladder here.



Then I had to remove 20 rivets on each side to re-rivet the new skin to.



This was slow going it took a little over an hour each side to drill these out.



I had to remove the top screw here, this is where I will rivet the bottom of the new skin. I did a test fit and my measurements where correct.
It took about four hours total to get all done. Tomorrow I have to remove the old glue on the U channel and start re-skinning.
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Old 08-24-2013, 07:43 PM   #237
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Almost forgot, I did a test fit of my new windows.

From the front.



From the inside.

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Old 08-24-2013, 08:28 PM   #238
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

What you are doing is great work. You're definitely talented with fabrication.

I am excited to follow your project.
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Old 08-24-2013, 09:33 PM   #239
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

I love the windows! Looking good, man. I can't believe you already have the roof raised and supports welded.
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Old 08-25-2013, 09:44 AM   #240
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Re: The Journey Visvi 1999 Thomas MVP ER

Looking really good!!! I wish Ontario was more lenient on customization. If i did this i would never get it insured here.. Great job!!!
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