Enter your username:
Do you want to login or register?
  • Forgot your password?

    Login / Register



    Page 6 of 6 FirstFirst 1 2 3 4 5 6
    Results 101 to 118 of 118
    1. #101
      Join Date
      Oct 2005
      Location
      Granger,IN
      Posts
      95
      Wow! No insult to the other board member's projects, but to me this is the coolesting thing I have seen on forum. I love home built cars built by one person with a small budget, a ton of time and a lot of determination.



      I am very impressed that you got computer models of a BBC. I was trying to find any models or prints a few months ago and all I learned is that I could get a solid model of a whole corvette IF I was a SEMA approved shop.

      After tellling my wife for a few years, she just figured out what I ment when I said I wanted to build my own car. She kept asking me what kind of kit or what car I would start with. When I told her I wanted to sell my TT Stealth and use the money to buy a better computer a TIG welder and some other tools, she finally realized that I wanted to build a car from scratch. Unfortunately my buyer backed out and was thinking of just keeping the car..... But after seeing this I am ready to start an insainly huge project again. THANKS!
      Free hostings of solid models!
      http://www.wrenchmonkey.com/Webpages/Solids/Solids.html
      92 Stealth Twin Turbo with 3.5L Engine swap
      www.wrenchmonkey.com
      Looking for my next project, maybe an AWD 71 Lemans????


    2. #102
      Join Date
      Mar 2004
      Location
      Mid-Michigan
      Posts
      2,764
      Country Flag: United States
      Thanks John, I really appreciate your comments. I am glad I can inspire someone with this project.
      If you have been following my "shop makeover" thread you will see it is just about complete and I hope to get back to work on the van in a week or so. I have taken the makeover a lot further then I had originally planned but, the more I do, the easier it seems to get actual "work" done in the shop. I have found that, when I don't have to first clear an area to work in, I can get more work done because I am not spending half of my time making room to work or searching for tools.
      It's taken me almost three months to get to this point but I feel it is time well spent and it will save me a LOT of headaches and time in the future.
      Thanks again for the compliments, You give me the inspiration to get back to work...
      Mark
      Mark:
      "Bad Ast" Astro Van. Just because I did it... Doesn't mean it's possible...
      This my Bad Ast thread...
      https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...roject-Faze-II
      This is my Fotki album...
      http://astroracer.fotki.com/

    3. #103
      Join Date
      Dec 2004
      Location
      Bothell, WA
      Posts
      225
      Quote Originally Posted by astroracer
      Random comment: what kind of glasses are those? They look just like mine! LOL.

      Related comment: friggin' awesome!!

      Travis

    4. #104
      Join Date
      Mar 2004
      Location
      Mid-Michigan
      Posts
      2,764
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by DusterRT
      Random comment: what kind of glasses are those? They look just like mine! LOL.

      Related comment: friggin' awesome!!

      Travis
      Travis,
      The glasses are "old guy" glasses. I need them for reading things like blueprints and scales... If you have a pair I will guess you are "old" like me.
      Mark

      Well, the shop is 99% complete as of last weekend and I am ready to get back on the Astro build. Because of the problems I am having with my welder, I am having some second thoughts on the quality of my welds in the current build and I am thinking about starting over with the cradle construction... I can have new pieces cut out in a day or two. I had a guy (he is a quality control engineer at GM and knows welding) look at my current cradle and he thought the welds, even though they are a bit rough, would hold up just fine. He told me I was being anal...Well, maybe I am, but this thing HAS to be safe going down the road and I do not want to be worrying about welds cracking every time I hit a bump... I am not confident with the welds, period.
      The problem with the welder has been narrowed down to poor quality wire. That's all it can be. I will pick up some better wire this week and pull some beads to compare. If it is the wire then I will definitely start over because I don't want that junk holding my suspension together.
      Any thoughts? I know what I need to do but some input would be appreciated...
      Mark
      Mark:
      "Bad Ast" Astro Van. Just because I did it... Doesn't mean it's possible...
      This my Bad Ast thread...
      https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...roject-Faze-II
      This is my Fotki album...
      http://astroracer.fotki.com/

    5. #105
      Join Date
      Jul 2002
      Location
      Muskegon, MI
      Posts
      4,494
      I say its 100% up to you. If a GM engineer tells you the welds will hold but you still dont feel comfortable, well then I would re-do it. You have to do whatever it takes so you can enjoy your ride 100% knowing it is safe. You also have to sleep at night knowing your are happy with your work. If that means starting over on the cradle then thats what you have to do.
      Adam_______Offical Car Name "ILLUSION"
      383 Stroker, Stock cast heads, T-56 tranny, 4.11 gears, 2002 T/A dash, 4th gen interior including seatbelts, power lumbar seats, 18" Budnik Wheels, Hydraboost, QA1 shocks, DC Controller, Power steering conversion, fuel cell, unique exhaust set up........
      ILLUSION Website-----------Old Website--------------My Car on Lateral-g.net----------- Need something designed?-AdFabDesign

    6. #106
      Join Date
      Nov 2003
      Location
      Paradise, Ca
      Posts
      1,411
      I'd be leary of advice from that guy....There's a whole lot that can go wrong with a weld below it's surface. He may be right, but unless he has x-ray vision he can't be sure, and that's one hell of a ballsy guess.

      Mark, do you have any test/practice welds from the same time you welded the cradle? If you do, you can section those welds and acid etch them to see how they look. Any porosity, inclusions or lack of penetration/fusion will show up with this test.
      -Matt

      Welders: The only people that think a co-worker catching on fire is funny.

    7. #107
      Join Date
      Mar 2004
      Location
      Mid-Michigan
      Posts
      2,764
      Country Flag: United States
      Thanks Matt, I was hoping you'd chime in. I have decided to rebuild the cradle. I know that's what I need to do and a few dollars in steel isn't too high of a price to pay.
      I will cut up some of the welds on the current piece of junk but I really don't need to. I know what the welds looked like when I was doing the work and that is the basis for my decision.
      If you check the weld thread I started in Dec you will see I am probably right on the bad wire issue. The guy I talked to at Flint welding knew exactly what I had and he said they had been having customers complain about it also. I hope this is it and I can get back to work with some confidence in my welding abilities...
      Mark
      Mark:
      "Bad Ast" Astro Van. Just because I did it... Doesn't mean it's possible...
      This my Bad Ast thread...
      https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...roject-Faze-II
      This is my Fotki album...
      http://astroracer.fotki.com/

    8. #108
      Join Date
      Mar 2004
      Location
      Mid-Michigan
      Posts
      2,764
      Country Flag: United States
      If any of you have been following my "welding issues" thread...
      https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=12916
      you will see I have fixed the problem... Was it bad gas or just low on pressure? I don't know, but the new tank was like night and day for weld quality!
      The old cradle will get cut up...
      This is a bit of a set back but I can have it rebuilt in a couple of days now. I just ordered new 2" DOM to rebuild the lower frame and will start cutting the old one apart this weekend... I can salvage a lot of it as most of it is just tacked together so a few hours with the cut-off wheel and grinder will save me a lot of re-fabrication on the smaller parts..
      It is like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders! I can start moving forward with the build and have some confidence in my welds again...!
      Mark
      Mark:
      "Bad Ast" Astro Van. Just because I did it... Doesn't mean it's possible...
      This my Bad Ast thread...
      https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...roject-Faze-II
      This is my Fotki album...
      http://astroracer.fotki.com/

    9. #109
      Join Date
      Jul 2002
      Location
      Muskegon, MI
      Posts
      4,494
      Congrats on finding the problem!!! I cant wait to see your enthusiastic results now!
      Adam_______Offical Car Name "ILLUSION"
      383 Stroker, Stock cast heads, T-56 tranny, 4.11 gears, 2002 T/A dash, 4th gen interior including seatbelts, power lumbar seats, 18" Budnik Wheels, Hydraboost, QA1 shocks, DC Controller, Power steering conversion, fuel cell, unique exhaust set up........
      ILLUSION Website-----------Old Website--------------My Car on Lateral-g.net----------- Need something designed?-AdFabDesign

    10. #110
      Join Date
      Nov 2003
      Location
      Paradise, Ca
      Posts
      1,411
      Good to hear, Mark.

      Even though the gas fixed it, are you still going to use the new wire too?
      -Matt

      Welders: The only people that think a co-worker catching on fire is funny.

    11. #111
      Join Date
      Mar 2004
      Location
      Mid-Michigan
      Posts
      2,764
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by Matt@Lateral Dynamics
      Good to hear, Mark.

      Even though the gas fixed it, are you still going to use the new wire too?
      Yes I am. I didn't get to it last night (honey-dos) but I will today.
      The new wire is from J.W. Harris. It came with a hearty recommendation and is a 70s-6 like the old spool. I had Rocky order a roll of 70s-3 for me yesterday to see if it will be any different. The -3 is for clean metal and it should wet out better then the -6 from what I have been told...
      Do you have any advice about filler wire for the Tig? I picked up a tube of 70s-6 for that also. It is copper coated. Do you use copper coated for suspension work? Wouldn't bare steel be less prone to weld contamination?
      Mark
      Mark:
      "Bad Ast" Astro Van. Just because I did it... Doesn't mean it's possible...
      This my Bad Ast thread...
      https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...roject-Faze-II
      This is my Fotki album...
      http://astroracer.fotki.com/

    12. #112
      Join Date
      Nov 2003
      Location
      Paradise, Ca
      Posts
      1,411
      You're exactly right about the -6 vs. -3. The -6 has more silicon and manganese that work as deoxidisers for dirtier metal, and will not wet out as well as the -3.

      Same thing for the TIG wire. I've never used anything other than -2 for TIG, and that's what I would suggest, as the metal has to be damn clean just to use the TIG process, so deoxidisers in the filler is pretty redundant.

      Copper coated wire is all I've ever used on mild steel, and there are no ill effects.

      If you need, give me a call today. I'm laid up with a bad back and would love a distraction. 530-877-1160
      -Matt

      Welders: The only people that think a co-worker catching on fire is funny.

    13. #113
      Join Date
      Mar 2004
      Location
      Mid-Michigan
      Posts
      2,764
      Country Flag: United States
      Thanks for info, I think my filler wire is -6 but it may be -2. I'll have to check.
      I'll call you later today after my "guy" leaves and fill you in.
      My Airco doesn't have a foot pedal so he is bringing all of his stuff to set up shop. He said I will hate him after he takes his inverter back...

      As a side note, I just took an 800mg Motrin for my back, so I feel your pain...
      Mark
      Mark:
      "Bad Ast" Astro Van. Just because I did it... Doesn't mean it's possible...
      This my Bad Ast thread...
      https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...roject-Faze-II
      This is my Fotki album...
      http://astroracer.fotki.com/

    14. #114
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Erwin,TN
      Posts
      425
      Country Flag: United States
      What's up with the "Bad Ast" Astro?!

    15. #115
      Join Date
      Mar 2004
      Location
      Mid-Michigan
      Posts
      2,764
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by FoxGranadaChuck
      What's up with the "Bad Ast" Astro?!
      Hey FGC,
      Nothing to report... Not that I have been slacking, I have been busy finishing up the shop makeover. It is done, lights are up, air lines are ran, and I am getting things organized with all of my new-found storage and room.
      Spring has sprung also and that is keeping me very busy with mowing, tilling, fixing and other such honey do's... Right now I am rebuilding an old wooden tool box for the wife. Keeps her happy when I do stuff like that for her.
      I am sure you read about the Tig welder I just bought. I haven't had any REAL time to work with it and I am still uncomfortable with my capabilities but, once I get the old cradle cut up, I will get some practice time with it on viable materials.
      Thanks for asking though, I think I will get to the old cradle this weekend. Getting it cut up and out of the way will make room for the new one and I am ready to get to work on it in the new shop!
      Mark
      Mark:
      "Bad Ast" Astro Van. Just because I did it... Doesn't mean it's possible...
      This my Bad Ast thread...
      https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...roject-Faze-II
      This is my Fotki album...
      http://astroracer.fotki.com/

    16. #116
      Join Date
      Aug 2004
      Location
      Erwin,TN
      Posts
      425
      Country Flag: United States
      Quote Originally Posted by astroracer
      Hey FGC,
      Nothing to report... Not that I have been slacking, I have been busy finishing up the shop makeover. It is done, lights are up, air lines are ran, and I am getting things organized with all of my new-found storage and room.
      Spring has sprung also and that is keeping me very busy with mowing, tilling, fixing and other such honey do's... Right now I am rebuilding an old wooden tool box for the wife. Keeps her happy when I do stuff like that for her.
      I am sure you read about the Tig welder I just bought. I haven't had any REAL time to work with it and I am still uncomfortable with my capabilities but, once I get the old cradle cut up, I will get some practice time with it on viable materials.
      Thanks for asking though, I think I will get to the old cradle this weekend. Getting it cut up and out of the way will make room for the new one and I am ready to get to work on it in the new shop!
      Mark
      COOL!!!

    17. #117
      Join Date
      Jan 2005
      Location
      McMinnville, TN
      Posts
      498
      Have you modeled all of your components yourself or have you acquired them elsewhere? I use Pro Engineer Wildfire 3.0 at work adn at home. What do you use?

    18. #118
      Join Date
      Mar 2004
      Location
      Mid-Michigan
      Posts
      2,764
      Country Flag: United States
      Hi Brandon,
      I am using Unigraphics. That's what I run at work, although we are using NX3 there, I am still stuck with V18 at home. It does the job though, very well and, having full access to the motion program really makes it easy to check suspension travel & clearances.
      As far as the geometry goes I had a little help with some of the body stuff. None of it is parameterized though but that doesn't matter for what I am doing with it. All of the suspension, Cradle, arms, tires, wheels, brakes, etc. I modeled up in UG. It is pretty quick to do once you get dimensions established and I only need one part to make L & R hand pieces.
      Mark
      Mark:
      "Bad Ast" Astro Van. Just because I did it... Doesn't mean it's possible...
      This my Bad Ast thread...
      https://www.pro-touring.com/showthre...roject-Faze-II
      This is my Fotki album...
      http://astroracer.fotki.com/

    Page 6 of 6 FirstFirst 1 2 3 4 5 6




    Advertise on Pro-Touring.com