Got out for a few more hours today, but its very cold! I wrapped up warm and got as close to the halogen lights as possible, which made it actually quite pleasant.
The outer sill needed closing at either end, and the bottom needed folding over and welding. I didn't get anywhere near as much as i wanted to done, again. The front closing panel was not even close to fitting and access was bad, so i decided to roll the shell back onto its side. This gave me a good chance to have a clear up too - I'm moving House in a few months, so this is essential!
The front closing panel was so far from fitting i decided to make my own. I took a small piece of stock steel and cut it to a similar size. I tacked it into place on the front of the sill, but on the outside not the inside like the proper panel.
I took a stretching hammer from my new panel beating kit and tapped the metal in to the correct curve, using the out sill curve as the dolly. This was very effective. I then plug welded, through some previously punched holes, the panel onto the outer sill.
Some more beating and shaping and the piece had a reasonable curve from the outer sill to the foot well, where it was plug welded again. More beating smoothed it all out and i seam welded the patch in place.
About half an hour with the grinder saw it smooth and shapely. A coat of primer finished it off. Not bad for an afternoons work, and my first use of the panel beating kit.
With the car on its side again, it was a good time to take stock of the progress I've made. It makes a good picture to see one new half and one old!
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