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Looking a bodge

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 11:06 am
by 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?

Image

Re: Looking a bodge

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 11:09 am
by corrado
How about straightening it, cutting some from the end then bending it to new shorter shape. Easier said than done though I imagine.

Re: Looking a bodge

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 11:32 am
by 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.

Re: Looking a bodge

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 11:49 am
by red ghost
Knowledge wrote:I am a bodger

At least you're honest Martin..

Re: Looking a bodge

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:37 pm
by Bilko
Martin Hyland - Good Idea, but you were pipped at the post by Martin Leech.

Thanks for the help.

Re: Looking a bodge

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 5:04 pm
by 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]

Re: Looking a bodge

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 8:55 pm
by 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.

Re: Looking a bodge

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:27 pm
by 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.

Re: Looking a bodge

Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:32 pm
by keep,er lit
bilko are they chrome or s/s if not give me a bell mate

Re: Looking a bodge

Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 11:43 pm
by 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. :oops: :oops: