An idiots attempt at a 56' resto!!!

[Volksmuller]

firstly got to say everybody started at the bottom....its up from here on. biggest advantage you got the right name mullerbugs....a kindred spirit of sorts....good luck and ask heaps of advice....I would give that bus a pull up high as alot of the pushed in panels will come back out....just remember do the reverse of the damaged impact area....if damage impact point is high pull out high.....use lots of wood and a sissior jack or similar, always brace the anchor pont or spread the load before you start the push/pull in ernest cheers steve

[mullerbugs]

Cheers Steve, I've though about trying to pull it out and use of a porta power kit. A number of folk seem to think it would be possible to get it right by pulling but it may be beyond my limited capabilities. There would be a massive sense of achievement if I could and to be honest worst case scenario I have got a donor front end coming over in a couple of weeks so worst case scenario I just go with plan B!

I get the idea behind the porta press and also about the reversing of the indentation it's just trying to figure out the angles and how to press/pull.

Doesn't seem to be too much on YouTube so I may just have to use my brain (plan B it is then!)

So any links to tutorials etc be much appreciated anyone!!

[mullerbugs]

So I though I'd tackle the hole in the sill, what started off as a little hole grew somewhat....



At which point I was wondering if there was gonna be my metal left I this bus!


Was tricky just trying to cut things straight but also bought some 1.0 mm thick (20 gauge)sheet metal to make. Replacement panel. Yes I could buy the panel but a) cost b) it was mess around In the shed or be bored to death by more reality tv ( saying that "lizard lick towing" has got to be one of the best programmes on tv) c) be feb by the time I got the replacement panel.

Started to realise how even the smallest of jobs takes forever but enjoying it none the less...still

[chappy]

Get stuck in but take your time.
I have an old Art Deco house im restoring, same sort of thing, take your time, one job at a time and you will be amazed at what you can do.

re

Have also seen people use shrinking disks anyone use them or are theya gimmick???

Check out JoeM's build video's on on U-toobe Does a neat show and tell but the roof dint may need a bit of hammer and dolly first
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=13910

and the U-Toobe link
http://www.youtube.com/pimpmykombi

Keep us posted on your progress please

[FrankenCab]

cut the whole outer sill off and do the inner aswell makes it easier in the long run , and may aswell do outriggers and jacking points , steel is cheap and theres no rush as building a complete bus takes time even in ratty form ..
go thru all the parts you have for it see whats missing and start collecting ..enjoy the mess n dust and welding burns

[mullerbugs]

Cheers for the links Chappy, have already found plenty of useful info and can see its gonna be hard to get any real work done at work now!!!!:D

I realise patience is the key, when my little girl who's just 4 years old first clapped eyes on it the first she said was, "that's gonna take a long time to fix won't it daddy?" .

At the moment alot of time is consumed with questions going around in my head like " how the hell does this work? " and " where the hell does this bit go?" and "is this the right way to fix this thing?" and " where the hell is that scrap metal guys number! I jest Im enjoying it, at least it's keeping my brain active.

Frankencab,I know your right with regards to cutting it all out, the driver side isn't that bad but I agree new metal would be better in the long run, so I'll be checking out video links and any how to's on floor replacement just so I can get my head around how it all works and goes together. I will also change outriggers, jacking points and inner sills, the heater tube and centre chasis sections both front and rear need replacing thougt the rails themselves and top hats look fine.

At lest when it's done I can sleep assured that i know it's not a bodged job that I'll end up having to do again regardless of the initial delay and cost.

Cheers once again for the input guys