RustInPieces Posted July 30, 2012 Posted July 30, 2012 Hello everyone after reading a few posts ive decided to join the forum! I have a strong interest in Datsuns but specifically the Z cars, Skylines and Cedrics! My Daily is a 2000 Magna which was my older sisters before me and my parents before her and well the only Datsun i had was a 320 ute with more holes in it then swiss cheese! Ive also had a Valiant ute which after the 12hr trip (6hrs up and back) to brisbane to collect a clean "looking" example only to find the next day it had a 1/2-1 inch think shell of bog with rust holes everywhere underneath, so much for only have a 50 cent sized hole... So after being put off older cars ive started saving up for another car and decided to keep my eye out for a chance to build up one of my favourite Datsun models! 3rd time lucky hey? Thanks. Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted July 30, 2012 Administrators Posted July 30, 2012 I like your username, it's appropriate for early Z's so be warned if you don't like rust holes you're sure to find rust in a early Z somewhere hidden. I'd say be prepared for the worst and that way you won't be disappointed. Unless you find a fully documented restored car. Let the RUSToration begin. Quote
RustInPieces Posted July 31, 2012 Author Posted July 31, 2012 yes ive seen some of the work people have put into fixing up rust in Zeds along with many other cars... I also see what you mean about buying something thats been fully restored and documented asi think it would be dreadful for some one to spend $10k plus on something for it to turn out to be nothing but a shell of bog on wheels... thats why i sort of prefer buying something with rust and untouched... atleast you can get a good idea if its worth repairing. I guess it also doesnt help that i dont own a welder or have alot of metal work skills behind me being 19 and never took the opportunity that was offered back when i was in year 10 to do a engineering TAFE course.... and i kick myself every day! but still im willing to learn and develope the limited metal/body work skills i have... Quote
Gordo Posted July 31, 2012 Posted July 31, 2012 Welcome to the zed forum. I always go shopping for Zeds with a fridge magnet, and go over the hole car. If it don't stick, it got bog! Good Luck, there seems to be a few Zeds on the market ATM. Chose wisely , as cheap can soon turn into a money pit. Quote
RustInPieces Posted July 31, 2012 Author Posted July 31, 2012 Yes I plan to take one with me if I go to look at a car and the reason I resold the valiant it would of just become a money pit. Thanks for the welcome. Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted July 31, 2012 Administrators Posted July 31, 2012 I guess it also doesnt help that i dont own a welder or have alot of metal work skills behind me being 19 and never took the opportunity that was offered back when i was in year 10 to do a engineering TAFE course.... and i kick myself every day! but still im willing to learn and develope the limited metal/body work skills i have... Listen to you complaining like you're an old man . I did a short welding course at University (which also had a TAFE area) after my normal computer science course. It was at Swinburne in Hawthorn but I'm sure there are similar universities and set up's in QLD. You can rent a good quality welder, if you're willing to give it a go yourself. Quote
RustInPieces Posted July 31, 2012 Author Posted July 31, 2012 yea there is a TAFE here but either there isn't enough interest or i missed the starting date for the course. I would like to buy a good welded and definitely would give rust repair ago as I don't particularly trust the local panel shops to not just bog it up and charge me for a bare metal job... Quote
Stinkbug Posted August 1, 2012 Posted August 1, 2012 gday RiP, i have just bought my 240z not too long ago, it all looked pretty good on the outside despite a red backyard paint job, but being my third zed i knew it could be shabby underneath the paint. sure enough it had its share. sills are buggered at each end, doglegs on both sides stuffed, some nasty rust where the roof meets the rear quarter, and the hatch slam panel was munted. remember its only metal and can be fixed. i never did a welding course , just bought a good mig and learnt for myself. its quite simple really, just slow and steady. ill post some pics in a journal soon of my rusty revival. Quote
FuzzyDropbear Posted August 2, 2012 Posted August 2, 2012 +1 for buying a welder and having a crack yourself. As long as you've got the patience to go slow while you learn to shape metal and weld properly you'll be right. Get in with the right blokes and you'll pick up tricks along the way. One of the members here put it to me this way: How can you really stuff it up? If you do a bad job of it or if for some reason it just doesn't seem to go right, just cut it out and have another crack! Quote
Gordo Posted August 2, 2012 Posted August 2, 2012 +1 for the welder, you will learn heaps and can take pride in saying you did it your self. The money saved on paying some one else, and inconvenience of taking it somewhere to get fixed is a pain in the ass. Every zed sold should come with a welder!!! Quote
RustInPieces Posted August 2, 2012 Author Posted August 2, 2012 Haha well I've had a crack at a MIG a few times and didn't find it to bad and i guess it is true that if you mess it up you can just cut it out and start over, the thing that gets me is when i try to visualize the shape of the metal I have to make to weld in or like when I cut open the pillar of that val I had there was rust in all sorts of places that I couldn't really get to... Like how do you treat that! Any way ill have some tax money coming soon so ill have a lot better of a budget then ive ever had and I might start looking at MIGs... Any recommendations for a good MIG for the price? Thanks again guys, been very welcoming! Quote
Retro Z Posted August 2, 2012 Posted August 2, 2012 I recommend a CIGWELD mig welder, although abit more expensive $1000+ does a better job than my Mars welder (ebay spec on the right) When it came to me doing my 3mm thick frame rails it (Mars) couldn't keep up. But in saying that my $250 Mars welder (on the right) is ample to weld thin car sheet metal which is all you really need unless you do other jobs. Also recommend a gas welder for beginners, its much harder for a beginner to learn off a Gasless welder in my opinion. Watch videos, read books, ask questions and practice on scrap in varying thicknesses etc and soon you'll be a pro at it. And to treat hard to reach areas you can use rust converter. Quote
RustInPieces Posted August 2, 2012 Author Posted August 2, 2012 how many amps is your CIGWELD? looking at spending $1000 or less for a welder... if possible lol Quote
Retro Z Posted August 2, 2012 Posted August 2, 2012 its a Transmig professional 250. Paid about $1200 but can be found second hand for much less. Quote
Ledge Posted August 2, 2012 Posted August 2, 2012 Welcome to the zed forum. I always go shopping for Zeds with a fridge magnet, and go over the hole car. If it don't stick, it got bog! Good Luck, there seems to be a few Zeds on the market ATM. Chose wisely , as cheap can soon turn into a money pit. You guys do realize that magnets dont stick to lead either Paul Quote
RustInPieces Posted August 3, 2012 Author Posted August 3, 2012 You guys do realize that magnets dont stick to lead either Paul good point haha Quote
Moderators Zedman240® Posted August 3, 2012 Moderators Posted August 3, 2012 Chances of finding a zed that has been repaired with lead are slim to zilch! Most are done with chicken wire and or "cut up" Stop signs... Quote
peter t Posted August 3, 2012 Posted August 3, 2012 ROMA, ROMA, ROMA. That's where I grew up mate and still have rellies out there. Have many good memories of growing up in the bush. Welcome. Quote
RustInPieces Posted August 3, 2012 Author Posted August 3, 2012 ROMA, ROMA, ROMA. That's where I grew up mate and still have rellies out there. Have many good memories of growing up in the bush. Welcome. haha, thats cool as! Quote
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