Looking a bodge

[Bilko]

I need to shorten the length of my brackets by about an inch because of cut side panels, but have no access to a welder.

Is there something I could sleeve them with?

[corrado]

How about straightening it, cutting some from the end then bending it to new shorter shape. Easier said than done though I imagine.

[Knowledge]

I am a bodger, from a line of bodgers, and one who has happily passed on my knowledge of bodging to the next generation.

I recommend learning to weld, or finding a tame welder person. They are invaluable.

However, if I was in a weld-free world, I would try to find a length of thin tube from a good model shop. I'd cut the clips at the point shown on your photo to lose the inch of excess metal, and then use as-long-a-piece-of-tube-as-possible to join the two ends together. Secure it using araldite, and use a little heat (boiling water is good) to pre-heat the glue. This makes for a quicker bond, and better bond.

[red ghost]

I am a bodger

At least you're honest Martin..

[Bilko]

Martin Hyland - Good Idea, but you were pipped at the post by Martin Leech.

Thanks for the help.

[newmanlammy]

Are they chromed spring steel or stainless Bilko, try a magnet on them. If they are Stainless I will have a go at welding them for you if you want to post them to me.

Keith
[email protected]

[wack 63]

When I alter them I draw around them on paper as a guide then heat them up and bend into the new shape cutting off the excess.

[Skar]

Do you really need an inch? The sprung clips seem to come in two different lengths, not much in it but enough to make the difference between my cut panels clipping on or not.

[keep,er lit]

bilko are they chrome or s/s if not give me a bell mate

[thackers]

This might be totally bonkers, could you fit the springs higher up the frame in a position to suit your cut panel? The number plate would still hide any fixings for the retainer plate. The springs would then be shorter by virtue of lifting one end higher while the other end stays in a similar position.