As you are aware there has been no updates on my build for some time.
Hopefully I will not get any ‘trolling’ this time due to my explanation, just trying to keep you all informed.
This has been due to a number of things, the biggest being the steel frame that was going to be the main structure of “The Left Handed Build” was bent.
When I purchased the 20mm angle iron it looked like any other material I had purchased in the past.
Unfortunately this time the material I had was ‘special’, this stuff was slightly twisted along its length. (I have seen a lot of steel over the years but nothing like this).
Due to the unusual nature of this manufacturing defect, I never noticed it until it was to late.
When the case was being manufactured, all the sections were cut to the correct length & angles.
The frame was the squared up, held in position & ‘tack’ welded together.
Once the sides were ‘tacked’ the four pieces that gave it its length were added.
The case was manufactured square but due to the twist, the case is not a cube.
This only came to light when the side panels were cut & nothing fitted.
I then spent a lot of time cutting & rewelding sections but due to the nature of the twist it will not come true & nothing would fit.
My next decision was to either scrap the “The Left Handed Build” or start again from scratch.
Also at this time my ‘old case’ (pinnacle 24) was up for sale in a MM.
I had decided to give it all up & move everything back into The STY when an offer came through for the case.
That finalised my decision & the STY was going.
A deal was struck but the case had to be white.
This diverted my attentions from “The Left Handed Build” for a few weeks as turning a black case into a white one is not at all easy.
Once the case was completed, shipped off & everyone was happy, my build could progress.
I decided that the design of the case was sound but the material selection was not the best, as its very heavy in steel.
I then decided to make another frame out of aluminium angle section.
I had a quick look at Yell & after a few phone calls found a supplier that did not want to charge me the earth for the material.
Jumped in the car, called into the suppliers & placed an order for 12mts of 20mm angle & 10mts of 20mm flat.
You can imagine my surprise when I was presented with my order in three 7 meter lengths (I think the suppliers do this just for the reaction from the general public).
Luckily I had a hacksaw in the car (only a junior with the world bluntest blade) as the car will only take just over 3mts.
So after lots of cutting, I had the material back home.
So enough story & more action.
I used the old case for measurements (all that it is good for now)
This time the material was cut by hand and filed to ensure each corner was perfectly square.
As aluminium requires TIG welding, the frame was going to be welded by a professional. (Its good to have friends)
‘Dirty’ Den hard at work
So now I have a nice new case, that’s square & new panels are being manufactured at this time.
Hopefully I will not get any ‘trolling’ this time due to my explanation, just trying to keep you all informed.
This has been due to a number of things, the biggest being the steel frame that was going to be the main structure of “The Left Handed Build” was bent.
When I purchased the 20mm angle iron it looked like any other material I had purchased in the past.
Unfortunately this time the material I had was ‘special’, this stuff was slightly twisted along its length. (I have seen a lot of steel over the years but nothing like this).
Due to the unusual nature of this manufacturing defect, I never noticed it until it was to late.
When the case was being manufactured, all the sections were cut to the correct length & angles.
The frame was the squared up, held in position & ‘tack’ welded together.
Once the sides were ‘tacked’ the four pieces that gave it its length were added.
The case was manufactured square but due to the twist, the case is not a cube.
This only came to light when the side panels were cut & nothing fitted.
I then spent a lot of time cutting & rewelding sections but due to the nature of the twist it will not come true & nothing would fit.
My next decision was to either scrap the “The Left Handed Build” or start again from scratch.
Also at this time my ‘old case’ (pinnacle 24) was up for sale in a MM.
I had decided to give it all up & move everything back into The STY when an offer came through for the case.
That finalised my decision & the STY was going.
A deal was struck but the case had to be white.
This diverted my attentions from “The Left Handed Build” for a few weeks as turning a black case into a white one is not at all easy.
Once the case was completed, shipped off & everyone was happy, my build could progress.
I decided that the design of the case was sound but the material selection was not the best, as its very heavy in steel.
I then decided to make another frame out of aluminium angle section.
I had a quick look at Yell & after a few phone calls found a supplier that did not want to charge me the earth for the material.
Jumped in the car, called into the suppliers & placed an order for 12mts of 20mm angle & 10mts of 20mm flat.
You can imagine my surprise when I was presented with my order in three 7 meter lengths (I think the suppliers do this just for the reaction from the general public).
Luckily I had a hacksaw in the car (only a junior with the world bluntest blade) as the car will only take just over 3mts.
So after lots of cutting, I had the material back home.
So enough story & more action.
I used the old case for measurements (all that it is good for now)
This time the material was cut by hand and filed to ensure each corner was perfectly square.
As aluminium requires TIG welding, the frame was going to be welded by a professional. (Its good to have friends)
‘Dirty’ Den hard at work
So now I have a nice new case, that’s square & new panels are being manufactured at this time.
