1990 Mazda Miata MX5 - service

[MiataMark]

Let the fun start....



Welder, auto mask, gauntlets VAT free! I also bought a flap wheel that doesn't fit my grinder and a knot-wheel that doesn't fit my grinder (needs an adapter).

I'll probably start a separate "learning to weld" thread as it will be a while before I do anything on the MX5. Got some ramps that I need attention and want to build some ramp extensions so I can actually use them properly with the Alfa and MX5. Then a welding cart would be a good idea.

I'll be waiting until the weekend to have my first go.

[MiataMark]

Apr 25, 2018 13:25:10 GMT tsp said:

Mirrors should be here any day now Mark

Great a job for the weekend. Want to go to the Haynes breakfast meet on the 5th, up for a MX5 meet up?.

[tsp]

If only The rate my year is going I doubt I’ll be on the road this year!

Want to buy some BMW BBS?!

[MiataMark]

Apr 25, 2018 16:18:10 GMT tsp said:

If only The rate my year is going I doubt I’ll be on the road this year!

Want to buy some BMW BBS?!

I would but after paying for the above and the cost of the panels I'm going to need to buy not an option at the moment, sadly.

[tickman]

If you will be doing a fair bit of welding which lets face it MX5 so yes, get a regulator and a larger bottle of gas. I have used both of these and currently the 20L bottle from sgs is working out the cheapest for me.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hobbyweld-5-Mig-Welding-Gas-9L-137-bar-Deposit-required-See-Description/163001795639?hash=item25f3aa0437:g:UfUAAOSwFuxZv5Io

www.sgsgases.co.uk/

[MiataMark]

tickman It will be a while before I do any extensive repairs and I fully expect there to be a lot. I go to Weston (where SGS are based) regularly so could pop in. When you say regulator it comes with one but I guess you mean a better one, could you give a link.

tsp As for wheels did mention it to SWMBO and the response was not until you sort the other wheels, I've got a set of 14" Enkei alloys (no tyres) propped up against the garden fence, and 2 Corsa 15" steels and a Corsa spare wheel/tyre by the dustbins. I acquired the Corsa steels as they are 4x100, 15" and might fit, and be the basis for banded steels, also they were free.

[johnthesparky]

The regulator is different for the big bottles. They have 2 gauges, one for how much flow you have, one for how much gas is in the bottle.

www.amazon.co.uk/Bottle-Welder-Welding-Regulator-Single/dp/B00NC68Y84/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1524810682&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=argon+regulator&dpPl=1&dpID=41I8P6QnmIL&ref=plSrch

You’ll also need a pipe to attach to the welder (I didn’t know, but got one for £5 from plant hire place I got bottle from)
Here is a link to one anyway

www.amazon.co.uk/Futuris-Mig-welder-pipe-adaptor/dp/B00FMILBKS

I think the bottle was £65 deposit and £35 for the gas, we’ve just had a new bottle and that was £38, so it’s a bit of money.... but cheaper than the disposable bottles in the long run

Have you had a play yet?

[MiataMark]

Apr 27, 2018 6:38:54 GMT johnthesparky said:

Have you had a play yet?

Thanks, for the info, playtime is tomorrow... Well apart from a selfie with the mask :-)



Scary...

[johnthesparky]

If you do go for a bigger bottle, I’d take the time and make a stand too... we busted our gauges when the bottle fell over!

[MiataMark]

Apr 27, 2018 7:18:02 GMT johnthesparky said:

If you do go for a bigger bottle, I’d take the time and make a stand too... we busted our gauges when the bottle fell over!

Stand/cart is practice project 3, No1 is repair car ramps, No3 is ramp extensions, this will all be with 1" angle so hopefully an easy start. But that's all for a separate thread.

[tickman]

The regulator and pipe Johnthesparky links to would do the job, if you are near sgs they will no douby do regulators too but may be quite a bit more expensive.
The big bottles and regulators will pay for itself in the saving over the small bottles. I could go through a small bottle in a few hours and the larger would last for months with the same amount of use.

If you start a new thread put a link in here please.

[MiataMark]

I'm going to play with what I've got and see how it goes, yes I'll put a link here.

Currently suffering with toothache so playing may be postponed.

[tickman]

Apr 27, 2018 13:53:07 GMT MiataMark said:

Currently suffering with toothache so playing may be postponed.

Just start playing and the burns from weld splatter will make you forget about the toothache.

Best advice I can give is just make sure the metal you are welding is cleaned back, it is too easy to think it is clean enough and it not be. Enjoy playing when you do. There are many more people on here that are more proficient at welding than me but I have still managed to stick a few cars back together, it is great when it works and frustrating when it doesn't.

[MiataMark]

Still no welding action, hopefully this weekend.

However I have fitted a door mirror bought from tsp OK they're silver but one day I might paint them. Had to modify the rear as these are for a later model and have a bigger locating lug, I managed to remove the whole lug no pictures of my stupidity.

I used stainless steel socket button screws.





At least now I can see what's behind me (unlike in the Gumball rally)

    Franco: And now my friend, the first-a rule of Italian driving.

    [Franco rips off his rear-view mirror and throws it out of the car]

    Franco: What's-a behind me is not important.


OK so 'Franco' was driving a Ferrari 365/4 Daytona Spyder and I'm driving a tatty MX5, we can all dream.

More, hopefully after the weekend although it might end up being Alfa content :-(

[johnthesparky]

If you weld the Alfa doors shut,

it can’t be unreliable if you can’t drive it, and you get some welding practice!!!

TAXI!!

[MiataMark]

So with the Alfa at its second home (the Alfa specialist garage with DPF/EGR issues) I could start to learn to weld, but you'll have to go to a separate thread in Readers Other Modifications for that! learning to weld Suffice to say it's not pretty!

[MiataMark]

Yesterday I went to the Haynes Motor Museum breakfast meet, a nioce 150mile round trip no issues and great drive with the top down. Nice to be driving a responsive petrol engine after my diesel Alfa that's been playing up.



Images from the meet here haynes-motor-museum-breakfast-meet

[bjornagn]

Not clear on what a "ramp extension" may be, but if it is something that is required to keep a car off your body, then I would be reluctant to do my learning on this bit?

What exactly do you need to weld on the MX5? I don't see any raging sill rot?

[MiataMark]

Car ramp extension like below, so you can get a car with front overhang (my Alfa) or low ride height (MX5) on to the ramp



as for rot look earlier in the thread (bottom page 5), the drivers side sill has a big hole on the inside. Looking closer it looks like patches have been put on the outside as well.

[MiataMark]

So with the Alfa in the garage, again, I needed to use the wife's Discovery for some work trips (yes it is covered for business use) and she had to use the MX5.

Initially there was a bit of trepidation but today I got this text

"Nice drive in....loving the Mazda"

Not sure of this is a good thing or not, on one hand it'll be easier to justify spending on the other hand she'll want to drive it (she's already pulled off a door pull!).