VICKERS MK6B's resto

[colin jones]

Hi Jack, no I don't mind at all. I am quite familiar with fully clamping prior to pressing and have done on a few like that on different projects I was having a slack attack🙄 and have to modify that particular die set to press another smaller door with a smaller inset then I will de weld and use the steel elsewhere. It was quite a while ago when you saw these tanks in their raw state
It has been quite a road to get them here but I have enjoyed the many different challenges as they occur. There has been many parts I have made to only throw away because I wasn't happy with them. Of course I never posted those pics And like most, I have spent ridiculous amounts of time on some thing that are totally hidden and then look back and wonder why? knowing full well you would do it again. I know I should have spent more time on these and done it that way. I still have a few more to do so I will make the dies with full clamping and well done on the pressing you did there

[colin jones]

I had to make some smallish type handles so I thought I would show how I got them as a exact tee easily. A small bloc of steel with tow machined grooves as per the pictures. Once clamped in the vise and hammered down they have no option but to be equal. Saves some guess work. I also had to backtrack on my work by removing the rear cover, fuel tank and shelf. I decided to fab a complete new rear shelf for the tanks as after another inspection of the ones I made a couple of years back, I wasn't happy with them, All good now.

[colin jones]

I had to add some extra parts to the shelf as well as thicker material. I have had the engine running and my Mech is going to change the plugs, leads, condenser etc,etc. It is now fitted back in for the last time before it comes back from the dead😁😁. While I have the fuel tank out I made quite some time back I will double check for leaks before I put fuel in it just in case. I will also run the fuel line and secure the tank in also before the rear cover goes back on.

[colin jones]

Still back tracking but also getting a lot of smaller things done including a lot of threaded mounting blocks

[colin jones]

That's almost it! they are now up to even point now along with other parts ready to go back in too. I will be getting the fuel lines installed to both next.

[colin jones]

I made a couple of small jigs to make fuel line stays. I used fibre board so as to not mark or distort the brackets and a slotted piece to put the formed clamps in and then in the vise to hold together while I drilled the hole. In this way it doesn't leave any sharp swarf pieces and every one is drilled in the same place. I have bent the 5/16 Bundy fuel lines for each tank and both are also fitted to the underside of the top plate. A test fit of the Ammo holder bins as well. All in all has been a productive day.

[colin jones]

This is a part I have been putting off for a while but now needs to be done. It is the turret basket surround. it has a flange on the top and bottom and the curve is really critical as the turret basket has to turn inside it to dia and centralization are ever so important. The original I have is mostly there so there not a lot of guessing. I did however need to make a complete curve and solid ring to form the flange on.

[colin jones]

I curved a piece of 40x10 flat so I had a solid top to form the flange on with considerable bracing and welded it down to my bench. I will cut it off later of course.

[colin jones]

This is quite new ground for me as I am not used to doing this sort of work but it is interesting working out of your comfort zone.

[colin jones]

I am really happy so far as they are turning out good. The bottom flange will be another story as it is not parallel with the top one as it follows the contour of the back part of the floor and that is curved and it also has to clear the axle cover too. Might be a few fit/cut, fit/cut before they're done but that's just how it is. There is also a series of mounting blocks that are riveted to the underside of the top flange. At least I've already made them .