With the timber now in stock I cut the first lower side rod section. However I was unable to finish it as the belt sander motor burnt out.
I examined the sheet metal for the entrance steps after the first coat of primer and decided the curved section needed to be improved with a skim of filler, so applied the first couple of layers and sanded it.
Ordered African Iroko timber to make the lower side rods, panel bottom stretchers and rear wheel arches, total including VAT and carriage £225.
The current work is concerned with preparing to refit the entrance steps. This will require the pillar steel plate to be in place, the floor edge to be replaced and careful alignment with the hand rails. Ordered a tongue and grooved spruce board to repair the floor edge in this area.
Prior to fitting the entrance steps I need to fix the exhaust connection between the main pipe and the manifold down pipe.
Sprayed the entrance pillar steel plate with a second coat of green smooth hammerite, it is now ready to fit.
Red oxided the reinforcing plates between the side rods and floor cross bearers.
Wire brushed the underside of the floor adjacent to the entrance ready for priming and painting. This will allow the new metalwork to be fitted.
Vactan’d the angle iron supports for the floor under the entrance door.
Rewelded some of the roof steel where the welds were porous then primed with red oxide.
Painted the rest of the entrance step frame with silver smooth hammerite this morning. This afternoon I made all the side rod brackets for the near side, noting the subtle angle of the top flange that allows the bracket to follow the curve of the lower side rod legs.
New side rod brackets. These attach the lower legs to the main part of the side rod and abut the floor.