SOUP - My new series about my Series 2

[tomcattom]

Just watched my weekly fix of Soup to keep me motivated on my own project.

Had you considered Q-max cutters for doing the sheet metal holes @GTK@?

I don't know what thickness of steel you're using there but they do punch a very neat hole. Only cuts a set size so not quite as flexible as a the step cutters you used, but if there are sizes you regularly cut they're excellent in my experience.

[GTK]

15 hours ago, Bibs said:

Use it to chop up a bit of wood to stand on, just in case

😅

14 hours ago, tomcattom said:

...Had you considered Q-max cutters... I don't know what thickness of steel you're using...

I'd love a few of those but I'm on a budget so I'm just using what I can put my hands on. There are nice ones that punch and then dimple die at the same time. 

[eeyoreish]

Fantastic videos as usual George 👍

Handy tip about using a ballpoint pen on the metal too. Can I suggest investing £1 in a Sharpie to write 'good panel' on the right one? (too early..?)

[GTK]

On 22/02/2021 at 18:31, eeyoreish said:

...Can I suggest investing £1 in a Sharpie to write 'good panel' on the right one? (too early..?)

😁

I'm way ahead of you on that one, got a little trick up my sleeve

[GTK]

 

Episode 68 of the abused Lotus Esprit restoration

 

 

[NedaSay]

Hey George any news from that welder?

[Bibs]

Enjoyed this one...

 

[GTK]

Thanks esteemed 'Flounder' 

6 hours ago, NedaSay said:

Hey George any news from that welder?

It landed and has been put to work on the chassis! Today is a big one actually, all going well I'll paint the inside of the backbone, do some welding practice and then seal it up for good.

[skiing]

Good luck on the welding!! I think your chassis work is fantastic to watch... 

not to say the rest is not also fantastic, but watching you re-make the cradle was impressive... 

[snowrx]

I know I should be watching the full back catalog instead of chipping the ice deck off the driveway, but is there a list of all the SOUP episodes with Esprit content?

 

[RobinB5]

12 hours ago, Bibs said:

Enjoyed this one...

 

@GTKGeorge, what a lovely video. Enthralling as usual. It was a pleasure getting such an insight into your experiences and history. Loved it.

[GTK]

On 16/03/2021 at 16:57, snowrx said:

I know I should be watching the full back catalog instead of chipping the ice deck off the driveway, but is there a list of all the SOUP episodes with Esprit content?

 

Well I should probably tell you to go back and do your homework, but I realised that many just won't bother so I started to recap the Lotus work in a dedicated run of videos starting with episode 62. 

On 16/03/2021 at 14:05, skiing said:

...watching you re-make the cradle was impressive... 

I don't think I've ever gotten job satisfaction from anything in the past like I've gotten from that cradle. It's been a recurring source of joy! Thanks Henry

On 16/03/2021 at 20:16, RobinB5 said:

@GTKGeorge, what a lovely video....

Thanks Robin

[GTK]

Well if this isn't a common Esprit chassis problem....

 

[tomcattom]

Just caught your latest video in the series and it's captivating as ever. It must be such a satifying feeling when you put the jig back on and everything lines up as it did before.

One thing I did wonder while watching your latest video was is this gap in the welds not going to be a possible source of water ingress between the layers of steel if left as it is? Given what you observed elsewhere in that vicinity is there not a risk of the same problem in the highlighted area? You know more about the intricate details of the construction of that area of the chassis than probably anyone else now, so it may be that it's actually okay. I don't know, it just got me wondering 🤔

 

 

[GTK]

24 minutes ago, tomcattom said:

... It must be such a satisfying feeling when you put the jig back on and everything lines up as it did before.

Are you nuts  Second guessing myself, and the jigs, and the measurements, took a day of my life. I was going back and forth with the callipers and the jigs, fitting and refitting. That's actually what I'm doing at the start in the overhead shot. A DAY!

24 minutes ago, tomcattom said:

... the construction of that area of the chassis ... it may be that it's actually okay. I don't know, it just got me wondering 🤔

 

No you're 100% on the money. Although it doesn't seem that water had gotten in there to date, but my thoughts are as yours. I just have a pathological urge to keep things as original as possible, which is ridiculous given everything I've done so far. It's as is because I swept this issue under the mental rug. There's another pair of spots I couldn't weld to around the back of the new tube that could let water in too, so that'll have to be seam sealed at very least. Lotus hadn't welded both sides of the tube like I have btw. 

 

[snowrx]

Obligatory Social Media Post; stickers have crossed the pond.

 

[GTK]

1 hour ago, snowrx said:

Obligatory Social Media Post; stickers have crossed the pond.

 

My first branded Esprit  

[tomcattom]

Surely it's the second one after your branded cradle 😉

[GTK]

Touché! 😄

[GTK]

I didn't get kidnapped or contract something nasty, thanks for asking 

The very long coming new episode of the Esprit build follows shortly!

 

[tomcattom]

You mean I have to wait another 28 minutes... 😱

[GTK]

You have 28 mins to make popcorn, take a pit stop, secure the comfy chair from co-habitants and get naked... in whichever order makes you happiest lol

[Barrykearley]

I’m loving the small details 

[GTK]

28 minutes ago, Barrykearley said:

I’m loving the small details 

MY chassis 

[eeyoreish]

And the subliminal messages 😵‍💫