Dont trust the dimples

[ahebron]

I have decided to convertible anti burst latches to Vitesse 6 saloon.

I had both sides of the latch but no backing plates so I made them using some 6mm plate steel and a 1/4 UNF tap.

All looking good so far,

My B post has the dimples so I place the female part of the latch over it to confirm the spacing is correct and then drill 2 x 8mm holes. Bolt up the latch and looking good.

The  door needed a bit more detective work when I remembered I have Mk2 Convertible at my parents house with the anti burst latches fitted., funny what you forget you have. A quick trip to their house and keeping social distance I measure the mounting position.

Back home and mark it out and drill the holes again out to 8mm for a bit minor adjustment and bolt all the parts together.

Close the door and CLANG as the respective parts of the anti burst latch fail to cooperate.

It turns out that on my car the male part on the door is too low for the female part on the dimples/b pillar. The male part was as high as I could get it in the recessed section of the door so I have had to redrill and lower the female part approx 10mm. Luckily there are captive nuts or securing plate on the back of the B pillar which I assume is because the rear tub of my is from a 13/60 that was most likely assembled in Nelson NZ. As I have had several doors pass through my hands I have no idea where they are built.

And do you pack the anti burst latches or do I need to readjust the rear section of the body to make them cooperate properly.

When I get to the rh side of the car I will be a bit more careful

 

[Pete Lewis]

i feel  if the door gaps are presentable then its pack to suit

drill. measure. drill measure . convert to a tin top   Ha !

i have visions of a 4" slot in the dooer to aid adjustment   

Pete

[ahebron]

Obviously where I went wrong was dimples - drill - measure - drill - bugger.

It should have been measure - measure - scratch head - measure - consult forum - mug of tea - measure - drill - mug of tea - measure - measure - drill 

Edited April 17, 2020 by ahebron

[ahebron]

I did not like the crude steel plates I made for the backing of the antiburst latches so decided to make some like the original ones on the door and similar for the b pillar. I alos welded up ther extra 2 holes I drilled into the B pillar. Even clamping a copper bar I still managed to get a bit of weld on the back side of the b pillar but hopefully not enough worth getting bothered about. I am also welding small nuts onto the b pillar plates so I can fit small machine screws to keep the plate in place when I remove the catch, I am getting fed up fishing bits of metal from behind it as there is not much room.

The backing plates went for a sand blast then coat with zinc phosphate primer and the bare metal on the b piller.

I am also thinking about releasing the rear tub mounts and giving a it tweak forwards as my door gaps are at 7-8mm.

 

[Anglefire]

19 hours ago, ahebron said:

Obviously where I went wrong was dimples - drill - measure - drill - bugger.

It should have been measure - measure - scratch head - measure - consult forum - mug of tea - measure - drill - mug of tea - measure - measure - drill 

If you had watched binky, you would know that tea is the essential ingredient

[ahebron]

25 minutes ago, Anglefire said:

If you had watched binky, you would know that tea is the essential ingredient

With out Tea I do not function. My family and work colleagues are made well aware of this and cope with it remarkably well.

 

[Colin Lindsay]

I switch to tea as soon as the body tells me it's overloaded with coffee. There are also certain biscuits that don't go well with coffee - Scots shortbread for one - so tea is a much better accompaniment. I don't drink it in the garage at all, but everytime something goes right and another job is completed, on goes the kettle.

I'm only on the fourth coffee this morning, so off to the garage shortly.

 

[Graham C]

The metal folder in the vice is interesting, do you have any information on it? I have a machine mart folder but it becomes a pain if yo only want to fold small pieces.

Graham

[ahebron]

I bought it last year as my 2ft folder is a bit inconvenient to use sometimes and doesnt like bending that thickness of steel with the small folds.

Here is the webpage from the company I bought it from

https://www.machineryhouse.co.nz/V052

When I am in Auckland (650kms away) I always try and buy more tools from them.

Last one was the portable welding table which is a very handy bit of kit.

https://www.machineryhouse.co.nz/W1004

[rogerguzzi]

Hello All

                Here you go

https://www.warco.co.uk/sheet-metal-folder-bender/89-vice-brake-adjustable-jaw-benders.html

Roger

[Graham C]

It is a very neat piece of kit, I agree the 2 foot folder is very awkward to use in some circumstances and does have problems folding thicker metal. Two more items on my tool wish list, record vice and the metal folder.

Thanks for the information.

Graham

[ahebron]

Got my door gaps sorted, both sides 5mm and antiburst latches are working lovely.

RH door was measure, measure,measure, cup of tea, drill, measure, measure cup of tea, drill. Very happy