'66 Deluxe

[Dual Port]

The guy I bought the Miller from was very cool- an older guy, very experienced welder. He says his work bought him a Millermatic Autoset and he loves the thing, it compensates the speed and heat for the thickness of the material. I was originally concerned that it was just one more thing to go wrong, but after hearing him rave about it, maybe.........

[toolbox]

Since i don't have a 220 line, I'd be happy with one of these http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig ... del=M00234

I wonder how accurate the auto setting is on these models? If it's even close, it would make welding panels a cinch.

Marc recommends the 211 with dual voltage. runs great on 110 and better on 220, all the switching is automatic with the different cord sets.

[Six Volt]

Since i don't have a 220 line, I'd be happy with one of these http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig ... del=M00234

I wonder how accurate the auto setting is on these models? If it's even close, it would make welding panels a cinch.

Marc recommends the 211 with dual voltage. runs great on 110 and better on 220, all the switching is automatic with the different cord sets.

Thanks Ted. When I get ready to buy I guess I can have Chuck put in a 220 line!

[Dual Port]

I'm thinking for typical VW restoration a 110v machine would be just fine......

[Dual Port]

OK, I was out in Oregon last week and didn't touch the bus. Today I finished welding the left rocker and it came out very well. There's some minimal warpage and waviness, but if I hold a 6' straightedge along it, I can't slip an 1/8" drill bit anywhere in between. Nothing a good coat of mud can't handle. The Autocraft panels fit very nicely making this side MUCH easier than the other side, which was an f'ing mess.


Once the outside was welded, I installed the vertical reinforcements (B and C pillars).


Tomorrow- cut and fit the floor, and patch the rear closeout panel. I'm amazed how much better the Miller welds than the Lincoln, it's like night and day. Much less grinding is needed, too!

[Josh]

Yeah Bruce, I bought a Miller 211 after I sold you my Lincoln. Way better!

[Six Volt]

Nice job on the left rocker. I'm paying close attention to the seam between the dogleg and the rocker. Looks like you managed to keep it in place? Looks like you "butted" the new rocker piece to that seam? If so, How did you do it? Without destroying the seam. Just wondering. I "mudded" my seam up and my painter had to fix it. Looks great Bruce. Keep the pics coming.

[slayer]

I took the plunge and bought this bus today:



It's originally Titian Red and White, and it will go back bone stock looking like this when it's done:



I'll keep you posted on details........

You are getting closer everyday, love this thread!

Major props!

.

[Dual Port]

I finished the left cargo floor today, hooray! I bought a left repair half from Wolfsburg West and they sent a full left half. They did credit me partially on it, but the shipping was a killer. I have a chunk of left floor for sale if anyone needs it.


I wanted to "test" my tranny somehow before pulling the shift linkage, so Aaron donated a junk clutch disc so I could weld a fitting to it.



This allowed me to drive my tranny with a 1/2" drill, which works in all 5 gears without any appreciable noise. When the gear oil is cold, you better hang on to that drill!



Installing the joists and uprights:



Here I'm fitting the WW floor, and there's some obvious gaps that will need to be filled in.


Here's the floor done with seat mount in, but I didn't have time to grind it out yet. Thankfully with the new Miller there's a lot less grinding.




Who knows anything about seat mounts? It appears this bus was fit with a full width middle seat? There's no middle clamp mounts, only far left and right, with two "foot plates" in the middle two spots. Is that weird for a walkthru? I think I'd prefer a 3/4 seat (like the gay bay seat I bought) so that means I need to install some clamp mounts at the 3/4 point, right? Can anyone verify this?

[wwebner]

More shipping from Wolfsburg West You will have to get the seat mount plate and weld it in. I had to do that with Bill Duval's Deluxe. I'm sure I don't have to tell you to set the seat in to get the mount plate in the proper location.