AArrrgh

[PonoBill]

Worked a bit on Fritz today. I'm waiting for some stuff to make the dashboard. I want to braze copper to aluminum, and that takes a special TIG rod. So I worked on the wind deflector. Got the sides done. Now I just need to add the panels, but that requires a Rivnut setter, and I broke mine, so I'm waiting for a replacement. I want to be able to remove the front panels easily, likewise the panels for the cargo doors on the sides of the rack, hence, rivnuts. Not too many days left before I shut down for the winter.

So I posted some pictures on Facebook (my new way of getting pictures on the Zone until I get around to setting up https encryption on one of my sites). In looking at the pictures to post them here, I realized that I have to drill out the pop rivets and take these things off to do the fit better. I don't like the way the back edge connects to the rack support. At the very least it needs to be an inch shorter. Dammit. The left side is almost OK, but the top edge shouldn't be square. I can't do all this work and then have a detail screw it up. The big blue pop rivets on the lower edge look a little funky too. Double dammit.

Doesn't have to be perfect, but it can't make me gag to look at it.





I've lost some of my solid riveting technique--when you don't do something frequently the fine details degrade. There shouldn't be dimples around the rivets. Holding the trigger on the rivet gun a few tenths of a second too long and you get those. I can live with that though.





I'm still working on my aluminum welding. At least I have the crater crack prevention technique down a bit better. You have to add a little more filler rod as you taper off the heat. That's why each weld has a blob on the end. The good welders do it without a blob. I'll get there.

[PonoBill]

Well, the vote that counts is in. Diane looked at it and said "that doesn't look as good as the rest of the work you did," For her, that's the functional equivalent of saying "WTF are you thinking? That sucks."

Yeah, she's nicer than me, but what she says, counts.

On the plus side, my rivnut setter showed up, and it's awesome. And I bought some Silicon Bronze TIG brazing rod today and brazed a copper hood onto an aluminum plate. Not pretty yet, and I'll probably use up 30 bucks worth of brazing rod getting this right, but it will be a striking addition to my dashboard. How often have you seen copper brazed to aluminum?

[stoneaxe]

I almost can't believe you're going to stop and head to Maui.....getting close....or at least it seems like it from 3,000 miles away....

[PonoBill]

I know, this stupid project is like an addiction. I'll be kind of glad to get away from it and get some perspective.

[surfcowboy]

Coming back will feel good man. I hate getting there on a project too. But the second time is always better and faster.

Can’t wait to see that copper stuff.