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Hillman Aero Minx restoration
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1935Hillman



Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 257
Location: Hampshire

PostPosted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 3:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hand brake
I dug out and repainted all of the bits for the handbrake and it all looked very nice save for the actual hand grip which is in a bit of a sorry state for some reason and will require covering with something fit to be seen in the cabin. I'll have to come back to that when I have explored plastidip or something.
Anyway, all looked good until it came to pulling the brake on and I realised I had no ratchet gate to keep it on!
A quick visit to the underbelly of the Aero tourer revealed the required part so I whipped it off and set to thinking about copying it.
I first selected a likely looking piece of scrap steel and clamping the old one to it, drilled corresponding holes and bolted the two pieces together. I then roughed out the new one by carefully carving around the pattern with a 4" grinder and thin disc, finishing the edge with bench grinder and files. This was relatively easy but the tricky bit was to come, how to make the 'teeth' of the ratchet. I thought of ploughing straight on with the files but slightly lacking the confidence that this was the best way to go, I put everything away and shut the door.
The following day I reviewed the job and decided that as long as I was very careful not to damage the pattern (which was already understandably less than perfect with the wear of eighty years plus) I could file the shape required.
An hour's work, filing, checking, filing and checking again produced a fairly satisfactory result which worked very well when trial fitted and tested.
As usual I got carried away with the process and forgot to take photos of each stage but here are 'before' and 'after' shots
It did occur to me though that such a part, coming under constant wear, should be hardened in some way. Does anyone have any views on this please?

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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7113
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Sun Sep 20, 2015 9:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like a very good copy. I doubt that you will need to harden it.

Peter
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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon
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1935Hillman



Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 257
Location: Hampshire

PostPosted: Mon Sep 21, 2015 3:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Peter, I'll paint it and stick it on. Another thing ticked off the list
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1935Hillman



Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 257
Location: Hampshire

PostPosted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 5:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just a brief interlude in progress while she is shown off on the body fabricators stand at the NEC this weekend. Valley Gas Speed Shop have done a fine job and Jimmy and Gary should be very proud. They did say that they could quite see why not many of these little cars had been built, they are simply very complicated bodies. It is interesting that when MG built their Airline PA / PB cars they used many of the same body panels as the tourers such as the wings and bonnets whereas Hillman went for an entirely new design with every panel being new and hand built. The experiment did not last long hence so few survivors.
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1935Hillman



Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 257
Location: Hampshire

PostPosted: Sun Jan 17, 2016 8:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was determined to do at least some part of the body and planned all along to have a go at the sliding roof. With the help of a small number of people, particularly Lew, the US owner of an MG airline with a similar roof I was able to ascertain how I was going to do it. Basically a wooden framework with a metal skin. Again the frame was ash with the curved sections cut out on my little but brilliant Record bandsaw. Simple glued halving joints sufficed to create the shape and with a deal more sanding and planing than I had planned (made it too thick) the final shape was achieved.
The rebates for the perspex or acrylic panels were also routed out at this stage
I then made a square frame to create the edge round which to form the skin and set it into a shallow rebate made with a hand held small router. The 'ring beam' was then glued and pinned into place with the added precaution of screws in teh corners - I do not want the subframe lifting at some future date.
I then cut out the top skin and have so far dressed the edges to 90 degrees in preparation for turning over to trap it onto the lip.
The three apertures were cut out with a jigsaw and the edges trued up with files.
Next is dressing the edges and hope for the best.


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1935Hillman



Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 257
Location: Hampshire

PostPosted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 12:00 pm    Post subject: SCREEN HINGES Reply with quote

After many many months I had still been unable to find any windscreen hinges at all and had decided to try to make some. My engineering skills while still basic have advanced some distance in last few years and jobs that only a short time ago I would not have attempted I now feel that I might stand a chance of achieving. I think a fairly common example of this is with welding when you at first seem only capable of melting things despite 'trying everything' The truth is that constant practice at every opportunity is required in order to obtain any level of competency. If your wheelbarrow frame has a crack in it, weld it up. If that old garden gate hinge or catch is worn down to nothing, try welding a piece on. I am still not a good welder but am a darned sight better than I once was that's for sure.
so it was with the screen hinges. Some very helpful old car owners sent me accurate close up images of their hinges and it was from these that I was able to draw up a plan for mine. I assembled the basic elements of any hinge, two ends, a connecting bit and a swivelling bit that goes between them.

To create the 'throw' of the hinge I cut a section out of a steel pipe that I happened to have in the workshop which turned out to be bang on. Other components came out of small angle and flat bar. I then placed all the bits together on a clean white surface and drew the configuration in order that I might stand a chance of replicating it as I would need a pair. Then it was just a case of clamping the parts together in the big bench vice and welding them together.

The plan was to cobble something together to hand over to my engineer friend for him to make them properly but after much fettling and filing they look entirely right and whats more work so I may just polish them and have them plated.
I don't post any of these updates to get a pat on the back and be told what a clever boy I am but seriously wish to encourage others to take on jobs in their own restoration that they might think they are not capable of. With a bit of thought and careful planning you would be amazed at what you can achieve.
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1935Hillman



Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 257
Location: Hampshire

PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:44 pm    Post subject: Paint Reply with quote

She is now finally back from the paint shop. Quite why they kept her for so very long I have no idea but nevertheless I am very pleased with the results. As usual we were in a hurry when she was returned so no time for a proper photo session but a couple of snaps anyway. Electrics have been resumed and windows and rubbers have been fitted. Some shiny bits are back on and I will wheel her out for some better pictures as soon as the sun returns.


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kevin2306



Joined: 01 Jul 2013
Posts: 1359
Location: nr Llangollen, north wales

PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was just thinking the other night about this project.
How fantastic does it look!!

well done with the project

Kev
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Rick
Site Admin


Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 4:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Excellent to see how it's come along, and re your earlier message above, photo updates are always welcomed!! There are some very interesting cars out there amongst the membership.

RJ
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7113
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 5:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like a very good paint job and well done on the preparation.

Peter
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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon
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kevin2306



Joined: 01 Jul 2013
Posts: 1359
Location: nr Llangollen, north wales

PostPosted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bugger, looks like photobucket has struck again!

Kev
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 10:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kevin2306 wrote:
Bugger, looks like photobucket has struck again!

Kev


Typical, weird how the photos were there this morning but gone by this evening (our 9yr old commented on how much he liked the look of the car earlier). Hopefully the photos can be uploaded elsewhere and the thread brought back on track again!?!??

RJ
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1935Hillman



Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 257
Location: Hampshire

PostPosted: Fri Aug 11, 2017 11:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oh well, that's a shame.
Unless there is an easy and free fix that might just be the end of the story with pictures.
What is the solution ?
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 7:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The solution is to re-upload elsewhere and alter the threads that "call in" the images. It may be a bit of a fiddle (a rainy evening job perhaps), but it'd be a shame not to get your thread back on the rails.

As you'll see, the subject of photobucket - and alternatives - has been vexing many of us recently ...

http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=19504
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=19585
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=19475
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11817&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=23
http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/forum/phpbb/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=19605

RJ
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1935Hillman



Joined: 06 Apr 2010
Posts: 257
Location: Hampshire

PostPosted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 4:21 pm    Post subject: Running out of patience(and time) Reply with quote

Thought I'd found the answer with IMGUR
Loaded up a number of images and then tried sticking them into the forum but immediately ran into a bizarre problem. If I leave them full size which is far too big for the forum page they load easily but if I resize them WITHIN IMGUR ITSELF they then no longer upload to the forum. Go figure? is apparently the expression for such situations.
I have tried all possible connotations but am totally baffled - well, that's the polite version anyway.
I love this forum but I simply don't have the time to devote to messing around with this any more. I will seek some tech advice and try again when I have regained some patience.
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