98 replies to this topic

[its Paul]

I was here, but too busy to scratch myself let-alone make any panels. Since purchasing the flatbed plasma it has freed up allot of time so I can concentrate on making things that interest me more than air conditioning duct.
And thanks for your comments Marko........ Much appreciated.

[its Paul]

No problem Alby, when ever you�re ready.

Yeah the battery tray when sitting on a bench/table sits twisted, because of the V-folds/grooves, you can push it down on the corners with your finger tips and it flattens out also flattens out when you weld it in. It came out a shit load better than I thought.
Cheers.

[its Paul]

LOL, thanks chris.

[LhMusL]

How much would a set of rear quater panels (if you make those too) cost???

[its Paul]

Hi LhMusL, I haven�t made any rear quarters, only because you can get them from Rares, and didn't need them for my car.

Hi Chopper, The panels I have made, are only the ones that was needed for my car, other than that I made an XB Ute tailgate (outer skin) about twenty years ago. As long as I have something to copy off I'll give anything ago (as far as making things goes )

Cheers Guys.

[its Paul]

No worries Nathan, thanks for the kind words, let me know if and when you are ready and I'll see if I can help you out.

Cheers Paul.

[its Paul]

Thanks Col (A9XOSS), I have a bit of work on at the moment, I should be able to make some tail light sets up and inner hatch sections in the next few weeks.
I'll PM you when I have some ready, I'll make some extra sets and put them aside.

Cheers Paul.

[its Paul]

No worries Nathan, PM sent.

Thanks Marty, I appreciate the kind words.

Mate you can use my tail light buckets & outer tail light surrounds to convert your UC but there is still a lot of work that will be needed to complete the job. My opinion you would be better off getting a rear cut and welding it in the same as what Dirtbag (Tim) did on his brother�s project and you don�t need to find & cut up a hatch to do this as the sedan is the same.
The only section of the C pillar I have made is the part where the rubber sits (inner) hope this helps.

Cheers Paul

[Steve TPF]

I'm a sheetie, and I'm very impressed with the work you've done here. Sadly i don't have the same skills as you at this kind of fabrication (most of my work is simple cut-and-fold), but I doubt there's many others who could match what you've done here. I hope you've kept templates of everything you've made - they would be a big help to anyone who wants to have a go themselves.

[its Paul]

Thanks Steve, I did my time making Air Conditioning duct, and never really made any automotive panels until now, I recon you could make them, just try that flat battery panel section that one of the other members wants, you'll be right.
As far as keeping templates I kind of have but it�s in the form of a flat bed plasma cutter, makes life easier.















I just ran some measurements off my old rusted lower radiator support and figured out where to start my first fold, I have changed things a little to make them easier but basically still the same.

Cheers Paul.

[Steve TPF]

Have you considered selling the flat plasma-cut panels? Yes, they would still take someone with a bit of experience, but starting with a ready-cut sheet with folds etc. marked out would be much easier then starting from scratch. Not many people have a flat-bed cutter like you, and trying to cut those shapes out with an angle grinder will never achieve the same result.

[its Paul]

Yeah Steve, I could do that if you wanted to have a go, I have changed it slightly to what you see in the photos to make it easier to manufacture.

Just pm me to organize it.

Cheers Paul.

Edited by lx8vd77, 22 June 2010 - 09:39 PM.

[Steve TPF]

Yeah Steve, I could do that if you wanted to have a go, I have changed it slightly to what you see in the photos to make it easier to manufacture.

Just pm me to organize it.

Cheers Paul.

Thanks mate, but I wasn't actualy thinking of me (for now anyway), just asking in general. it seems to me that you have the good end of the supply/demand equation. And while i'm sure you don't have the time to manufacture them yourself, there might be others who do. Considering most of our cars are around 30 years old, any source of new panels should not be neglected.

BTW, how long did it take you to make the radiator support? And how long do you think it would take a second or third time?

[its Paul]

BTW, how long did it take you to make the radiator support? And how long do you think it would take a second or third time?

Hi Steve,

It takes about 3 hours each by the time you cut fold & weld, if 4 or 5 were made at once it would take 7 or 8 hours.

The one in the photos above was my first attempt and is now on my car.

As far as time goes, when we are not busy, I get The Pest (one of my employees) to belt some out, he does a good job.


Hi Neil, yes mate I do, PM sent.

Cheers.