Robert Pearce Starts to restore

[hrpearce]

I managed to salvage a small piece of canvis seal from the cab frame to look at all the stiching is gorne and while the windscreen had rope sown into the fold the frame seals apear to have a thin strip of canvis spiral rolled and sown in. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[hrpearce]

The piece of timber from under the back of the cab is in good condition considering how many years the blitz sat in the bush, a good clean and a soak in linseed oil and it should last forever

[hrpearce]

With the return of almost normal weathr, nine days of rain and still overcast, I've resorted to spreading sand over the floor of Vicki's garage to get it dry. Vicki is looking forward too me finishing she claims I'm starting to push the boundries of friendship.

[hrpearce]

All dressed up and no dance partner Cleaned a couple of pieces with first full tank of sand, will defenatly need the second aircompressor from Dad's shed to keep air up. I will have to get a suply of tips in as the creek sand is wearing the first one fairly quickly.

[Col Tigwell]

I do not need to tell you are a lucky man.

Lovely wife and children, lovely shed and view, and all those lovely trucks you will be able store in the shed in due course.

I presume you will concrete your ladies garage floor, and how kind of her to let you share the space.

That sand blasting outfit, I do not how she resists you with that on.

Seriously you have done a great job, unless one has built a shed you cannot understand all the detailed work, thrills and danger involved.

Regards

Col

[Mike K]

Looking good Robert , I mean the Blitz, not you . Just a kind word on the sand blasting. I had ago at it when doing the C8. I blasted most of the bits , but I wouldn't do it the same way again EVER. It's probably the most hazardous thing for a restorer to do in many terms . The loud air noise from the nozzle can damage your hearing permanently . I had a similar setup to yours , with 50 cfm a VW powered compressor .

For larger bits like chassis, axle housings and stuff I am going to the local chap here. By far the best bet, is a cabinet , for the smaller fiddly items . You can knock a large cabinet together from cheap plywood , or whatever you like . There are plans and ideas on google .

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/i...g_Cabinet.html

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/buil...net-44167.html

One guy lined the inside with canvas, this helps to absorb the sound and the blasting media tends to not bounce around off the canvas . You can use those long welding or gardening gloves and PVC plumbing rings to make the 'hands' . Some of them have fancy dust exraction devices . Another guy , used an old fluro light sitting on the lid , for lighting .

The little single phase compressors , are generally not up to it, waste of time . Its just physically not possible for them to make enough air .

Mike

Mike

[aj.lec]

Hello Robert
Congratulations on your progress

Be very careful using straight sand when blasting
make sure you have a very good respirator under your helmet and a good air supply
natural sand has a high silica content and when broken up and the dust breathed it can lead to silicosis (very nasty respiratory problem)

[hrpearce]

Yes Col I am lucky and the shed will be cemented as funds become available. I still have to dig out 500mm of red clay out of the top bay and build a retaining wall on the house end. Power points and lights will most likely be next.
Mike I am working on an almost non-existant budget so I will plug along with what I've got. Late this afternoon I added a two cylinder compressor from Dad's shed to my sngle cylinder they are connected to a 60L air tank and this setup is keeping up with me. Another problem with using a profesional besides the money is distance 120Km to the nearest reliable one. Dont worry about my hearng 25 years on chainsaws before I bought my first set of ear muffs means I hardly hear the air.
Andrew thanks for the warning I'll grab the resperator out of the chemical shed before I start again.