The Rebuild

[hrpearce]

A little bit more finished.

[Keith Webb]

Love your work, Robert!

[hrpearce]

Thanks Keith.
One corner of the blitz finished. As I'm putting the tyres back on I am using new rust bands and the valve stem is sitting much better than before.
I think I will do the other three wheels together to save on cleen up, but first I have to dry another 40 gallons of sand for the cleanup.

[cliff]

lovely work Robert keep it up. Another book will be on it's way to you soon as well. Bit tatty but worth reading.

[Bob Carriere]

Wheels should now last another 65 years.

From my experience installing tires on sand blasted clean and freshly painted wheels is a lot easier than a rusted pitted hulk.

Keep it up.

Bob

[Cameron Reed]

Hi there Robert, have been toying with the idea of buying one of those type pressure blasters for a while now to do jeep and blitz parts, so thought I may ask a few questions. Do you only use sand or have you tried garnet, what size compressor you have and does it keep up, how long do you get out of a pot of media and roughly how long does it take to do a rim and do the nozzles wear quick?

Enjoying the photo's and like the fact she still has to earn her keep nice work all the best

[Phil Waterman]

Originally Posted by chopper

Hi there Robert, have been toying with the idea of buying one of those type pressure blasters for a while now to do jeep and blitz parts, so thought I may ask a few questions. Do you only use sand or have you tried garnet, what size compressor you have and does it keep up, how long do you get out of a pot of media and roughly how long does it take to do a rim and do the nozzles wear quick?
.....

Alternative to buying a sandblaster if you only need to do truck rims- one of my friends who has a large sandblaster put me on to this one. Check with large commercial truck tire shop many of them have an automated blasting machine that has a rotary table and automated head they drop the rim in on the table, close cabinet, the hit the power timer and walk away. Come back later open the cabinet and take out the clean rim.

One big point though know mater how you sandblast the rims, protect the threads, I cut up some old heater hose and pushed them on too each of the rim bolts to protect the thread. I use the same bits of hose to protect the threads when painting the rims as well.

There has been a lengthy thread on what size air compressor is best.

Cheers Phil

[hrpearce]

Hi Cameron,
Because of my low budget I have only used creek sand that has been sived through fly screen. I blast outside on a total loss system. Sand wears the nozels rapidly so I have started making my own out of 1/4" break pipe. I have a 4cfm and a 6cfm compressor both hooked up to a 60L air tank and they don't keep up but last long enough to do a side of a rim and catch up while you are turning it over and have a minute break, all up about 20 minutes to do a rim and it uses a full tank of sand per rim.
Hope this helps.

[Bob Carriere]

Hi Cameron

A lot has been said on previous threads but the essence is this.....

Sand blasting can be fun or a pain....... the satisfaction of watching rust disappear and seeing clean metal..... a 60+ year old piece of steel looking like new again..... on the other hand in 30C temp under a black leatherette hood.. with a jammed nozzle can be trying.....

If I had to do a full truck again I would strip it down to a rolling chassis and get it done by a contractor....... and do the detailing myself using my own machine.

Kompressor wise the bigger the better.... I use a 10 hp..... 30 cfm at 100 pounds and on a hot day we can over heat the sucker.... we use a 100 pound pressurized pot and you need a 1/2 rubber hose to maintain pressure and cfm. At start up, the motor draws 65 amps and dims the lights in the village..... well almost... a rim takes 1.5 bags of sand.... that 80 + 40 pounds....... I use white quarts at $8.00 a bag.... total loss system.... makes the place look like a Xmas scene even in July. Sand will bounce and travel at least twenty miles from where you are doing your deed..... nearest deposits will be in your shorts... and even the closed tool box behind sealed doors will have sand residue in it....... don't ask me why....

I have tried the more expensive dust free slag but did not find it cut as well as quarts sand.... the hood we use as a fresh air system....ceramic nozzle will last about 40 bags...cost about $10... as they get bigger from wear they waste more sand..... cheaper to change if more often.....

Minimum is a good 5 hp..... with the largest tank you can get for capacity.

Usually the sand pot gets empty just when you personally run out of steam..... compressor gets a break while you reload....

You need to properly degrease the clean steel...... auto shop sell a weak lye solution....sun dried... then flashed with phosphoric acid...again available at auto body shop stores.... sun dried again..... now will take paint very well on the agressive surface.....

re-using old sand can cause a lot of nozzle blockage which is a pain... also the sand will be less than 50% efficient the second time around not to mention more dusty.

I think it is a worth while tool for doing a lot of smaller items.... like a few rims at a time...... but to work fast doing a full frame axles, springs, ect. a high pressure contractor is something to consider.

A note of caution..... the dust, paint(lead) particles, rust, etc. can be very toxic and in certain (urban?) areas the sand leftover from sandblasting is considered toxic waste and can be costly to have it removed and carted to a special disposal site...... my practice reflects the rural environment and so far my 3 headed neigbours down wind have not complained.....

You can do worst using a wire brush on an electric drill cleaning parts in your house basement.

Go forth and have a blast.....

Boob

[Cameron Reed]

Thanks Phil, Robert and Bob for the information I'll give one a try, I like the idea of doing as much of the work yourself,doesn't necessary end up the cheapest but you get the satifaction when you stand back to say you done it. As for the neighbours (suburbs) I might get rid of the molasses setup which might get rid of "a funny smell from something" as they say

[hrpearce]

The RTA got the colour right this year

[hrpearce]

Another job finally done I hope I finish before I wear the blitz out driveing it, besides it's work as a spray rig it has four trips to local towns to do in the next five weeks.

[Keith Webb]

Are you coming to Corowa this year Robert? I have some goodies for you.

[hrpearce]

Thank you Keith and great to catch up.
The blitz restoration has taken a U turn, I am not building a custom tray now but have purchased various parts for a more genuine rebuild. More to come when travel arangements have been finalised. I have to fly under the radar at the moment as this involves a border raid
Thanks RC.

[hrpearce]

I just looked up Google maps I have a trip of 382Km ahead of me mostly on back roads so should avoid detection

[hrpearce]

New lights and wireing, new numberplate holder and bearings repacked the trailer is ready for the border run.

[lynx42]

Robert, If this border raid will help you complete your blitz restoration, then I think it won't really count as a Border raid. The bits came from Tumbarrumba NSW so will just be returning to that State. It wasn't listed as a border raid in the first place. Just a recovery.
Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday.
Rick.

[hrpearce]

The epic journey starts this afternoon as soon as Vicki gets home from work, this way tomorrow will be a more relaxed drive.

[hrpearce]

From Tumbarumba to Yaven Creek via Newlands Arm.
Vicki and I enjoyed Rick and Jill's hospitality this weekend.
Loded and ready to leave,
Part way home,
Finally home

[lynx42]

Hi Robert,
Glad you made it safely home. I see you had to retie the tool box. Thought you might have to.
Looking forward to seeing it all together on the Blitz.
Regards Rick and Jill.

[Euan McDonald]

It looks like poaching season is on again.
Nice pick up Robert, should look at home on your truck.

[Mike Kelly]

Robert

I see you chose a superior quality GMH product for your blitz. Your trailer tyres must have 50psi in them, can't see any deflection .

You'll be using sledge hammers to panel beat that basic body into shape. If it was me, I would buy some steel plate and replace the panels( using the original as a pattern ) , but the average shop equipment, like Boyd Coddington used won't handle that thick steel .

Mike

[Bob McNeill]

GEE I would have thought at over 60 years old a FEW wringles are allowed, it,s got character. With the tool box and tyre rack the spray tank will be a tight fit, good hunting.

[hrpearce]

Thanks Euan, Miker and Bob, whem this tray is ready the spray rig will have to find a new home as I have decided to retire the blitz to club events considering its age. The tyres on the trailer are almost runflats they are light truck steer tyres.

[lynx42]

Actually Mike, there is only a little rust in the body and it is pretty straight. Only the top corners of the tailgate are in need of replacement. There are a few bullet holes in the front panel, but as Bob says, that adds character.

Robert needs some hoodbows and the mounts which bolt to the side of the body if anyone has any.

The toolbox just needs a sand down and a coat of paint.

The spare wheel carrier is in need of a small weld job, but, it has an unusual antitheft devise on it. I'll post some photos later.
Regards Rick.

[lynx42]

Here's the photos of the antitheft devise and more.

[Bob McNeill]

Rick I love the old paddock basher in the back ground, do you use it to push start the scoutcar ??

[hrpearce]

I'll let Rick deal with Bob
The tray is unloaded and in tempory storage off the ground thanks to Keith. Farmers carn't resist the urge to stack things on anything sitting still
Work won't start on the tray for some time yet as I should finish painting my rims before starting a new project, but it's nice to know it's there when I need it.

[lynx42]

NO!!! Bob, That just shows that I don't have a full allegiance to the green cause. That one is a 1923 20hp Rolls-Royce saloon. I had to buy that as my then wife got sick of things green and so that was part of the compromise. There are another 4 or 5 veteran or vintage cars in the shed. All but one on the road. Come down and I'll take you for a ride.
Regards Rick

[Mike Kelly]

The "red bible" says : The GMH Woodville ( South Aust.) plant made 1743 15cwt base bodies in 1942 and 579 in 1943.

Mike