Took a step away from the car because it was annoying me - or rather my failure to see the lower quarter panel that I welded in last year had in fact 'pulled in' and distorted on the vertical seam where it was butt-welded just behind the B-pillar.
Only noticed when I happened to place a straight edge along the panel. So disheartening to see it I walked away from the project.
Decided it wasn't going to fix itself so I sorted out the distortion or 'valley' using the old technique of spot welding metal washers along the 'valley' and pulling against each one carefully. While doing this I realised I didn't have a slide-hammer but that didn't matter. Ideally a stud-welder would work well in this situation but I haven't got one of those either.
What annoyed me though was I thought I had been careful while welding by using damp rags, compressed air and copper heat-sinks. I think the problem was a combination of enthusiasm, a clunky MIG welder, and welding clamps for butt-welds that left a gap larger than the gauge of metal I was welding - thus lots of heat going into the panel. Oh well, they say your last mistake is your best teacher...
Music track supplied by You Tube.
26 авг 2024
