Hi guys. Just joined up yesterday and said hello in the "say hello" section!
I've got myself what I've just found out is a 12 ton BR standard goods van. There's a pic (of a model) on this link
http://www.scalefour.org.uk/parkside/PC07A.gif which looks about right.
Sadly the pictures of my own little van are a little less easy on the eye!!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinsano...7611211197371/
It's been sat in a field for many years there's a large tree growing through the floor (and out of the roof). It's pretty battered and most people would probably leave it there (I still might), but I quite fancy having a go at fixing it up.
SO....... I thought I would strip the wood off (as it's all pretty rotten) and that would leave the nuts and bolts exposed (apologies if I don't know the correct names for bits). Angle-grind the bolts off, and then that would leave a metal frame.
Should then be able to lift it up (I have the machinery to do it) and have a look all around, plus can then put back down on some sleepers and give it a bit of ground clearance. Somebody (like me with zero knowledge of these things) said to start a fire in the van to get rid of the wood? I'm not so sure, hard work is probably the way to do it.
Anyway, with a bare frame I could get it blasted and then coated/painted etc
To be fair if this project is for me then it'll end up as a little store-shed or office and very unlikely to ever sit back on wheels (apologies if that's sacrilege!).
Am I going to be able to find original bolts to replace? What about door hinges and the such? Or do I just use what will do the job?
So with an improved frame, I might feel motivated to start finding some wood for the body!
But that's a way off, and I'm sure I've missed something/going to do something wrong/shouldn't bother, so I'm at your mercy for suggestions, input and criticism!
Cheers
Pinsanon
(hope I'm in the right forum section)