mark m uk Posted January 28, 2010 Author Share Posted January 28, 2010 Small update on the schlugwagen. The original wheels of a Swimmer are unobtainable, and 16" diameter. They come in (I think) 3 1/2", and 7" widths. Reproductions are now available and look really nice, but too expensive to waste on my pile of shcrap. So, I figured on making my own. I bought regular wide 5 beetle wheels that are 15", and got 'my mates Dad' to part them off on a lathe. Next, my other mate rolled up some 2mm thick bands, and yet another mate - Scurvey Merv, one of the best welders on the planet, glued them all together. Next, another mate wrestled some tyres over them. I chose a real aggressive tread, and a higher side wall to compensate for the 1" less on the wheel. :-D:-D So, when I wrote that - "I" made some wheels - I really was pushing the boundries of truth ! Anyway, I painted them all by my own without a grown up ! P.S. Thank you for replying to my earlier thread Lee, that link was a great help, and I got some issues sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Tidy You're not gonna get stuck in the mud with them boots Just the thing for negotiating the snotty bankings and the path to the bar at W&P :cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FWDTEXAS Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Good work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil munga Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 Made a nice job of them wheels , I'm think my splitscreen VW camper came with an odd set of wheels a pair of 16" wheels on the rear from a pre 1955 bus , and a pair of 15" on front , On the subject of banded rims I once had a sand rail ( like the fast response vehicle ) not too long ago and took for an MOT and the tester said strait away that he'll not be able to test it unless I change the wheels , aparently they'd been banned , when I removed the tyres they even had a company stamp inside so not a shoddy job , keep up the good work :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted January 28, 2010 Author Share Posted January 28, 2010 TidyYou're not gonna get stuck in the mud with them boots Just the thing for negotiating the snotty bankings and the path to the bar at W&P :cool: :-D Ha, well I hope to be going with the Schwimm to Beltring, but I hope we dont get the mud that we had a couple years back - man, that was dreadful. Hey Phil, hang on to those 16" wheels, I understand they are as rare as ricking horse manure, but not the same as KDF, I believe the KDF era wheels are riveted. A split van is another on my 'most wanted' lists of cool vehicles. Thanks for the advice on the business of banded wheels.....Regards Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 :-DHa, well I hope to be going with the Schwimm to Beltring, but I hope we dont get the mud that we had a couple years back - man, that was dreadful. Hey Phil, hang on to those 16" wheels, I understand they are as rare as ricking horse manure, but not the same as KDF, I believe the KDF era wheels are riveted. A split van is another on my 'most wanted' lists of cool vehicles. Thanks for the advice on the business of banded wheels.....Regards Mark. If there is mud don't look strange when some guy hangs on the back of the schwimmer to do some mudsurfing...:angel: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 If there is mud don't look strange when some guy hangs on the back of the schwimmer to do some mudsurfing...:angel: Ha !...........Mud surfing sounds like fun, but real men road surf ! :cool2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Ha !...........Mud surfing sounds like fun, but real men road surf ! :cool2: Here I go... does it work guys? I only have a still... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted January 30, 2010 Author Share Posted January 30, 2010 I am desperate to see that now - you must mend the computer and make it work ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritineye Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 it works for me, click the pic it takes you to photobucket, bit slow to load but OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted January 31, 2010 Author Share Posted January 31, 2010 it works for me, click the pic it takes you to photobucket, bit slow to load but OK. Thanks Colonal G.i.E. - I did that and it worked fine. :-D- the little film was a hoot !.............Next I want to see what happens when the jeep brakes hard ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigma Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Thanks Colonal G.i.E. - I did that and it worked fine. :-D- the little film was a hoot !.............Next I want to see what happens when the jeep brakes hard ! Hmmm, I'd be a new sort of roadkill....:embarrassed: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted February 11, 2010 Author Share Posted February 11, 2010 Another schwimmwagen replica being built, this time in Mexico. http://proyecto-schwinwagen-mexico.blogspot.com/ The guysc are ahead of me, even got as far as testing the proppeller ..........in a tin bath ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 One way to the the unmentionables clean:-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willyslancs Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 little mention in March Volksworld........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted February 12, 2010 Author Share Posted February 12, 2010 little mention in March Volksworld........... Yes, I see that - the project seems to have quite a following. I have been asked to post up pictures on several different forums. It has met with a lot of enthusiasm in the US and an enormous amount of enquiries regarding the possibility of making more. Anyway, I'd guess you may like a little update, so here are some pictures of the progress to date. I decided it was about time I attempted the front deck, spare wheel carrier, windshield, and various fittings and brackets associated with that area. I did make a hash of the internal curve of the wheel well. I tried to buy one from the bulkhead of a split van but they are as rare as rocking horse manure. So I did the best I could. Another time I will buy a handpowered sheet shrinker - that will do it. Started by forming the top of the wheel carrier over a bus brake drum - then made a large conical tube to weld it on, and cheated by welding a paint kettle from B&Q in the centre - it was perfect for size ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted February 12, 2010 Author Share Posted February 12, 2010 Next, the upper deck. Real tricky making those fuel tank neck holes - it doesn't look much I know, but that cause a lot of blue air. Putting a double compound curve in the surface was a challenge too. And the combing on the top edge under the windshield was a real mother ! I am so dissapointed with that internal curve - I wish I had bought a metal shrinking tool - but we all live and learn, the next swimmer will be much better, I have to keep reminding myself this is just a rough one to prove the principle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted February 12, 2010 Author Share Posted February 12, 2010 Windshield and mountings. Sometimes it took longer to make the formers than the actual pieces. I couldn't buy the channel in the size I needed so had to buy stock box section and alter it by cutting it into angle with a grinder, and welding it back to make channel - laborious work. As always, guessing shapes and sizes from the model and picture books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodge Deep Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 mouth still hanging open... catching flies now:-D outstanding :shocked: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willyslancs Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 looking good, as ever mate .................. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritineye Posted February 12, 2010 Share Posted February 12, 2010 We don't care about those Mexican dudes working in the sunshine, we're rooting for you...........:thumbsup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted February 13, 2010 Author Share Posted February 13, 2010 We don't care about those Mexican dudes working in the sunshine, we're rooting for you...........:thumbsup: Thank you, G.i.E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spood Posted February 13, 2010 Share Posted February 13, 2010 Awesome, fantastic piece of work. :bow: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark m uk Posted February 18, 2010 Author Share Posted February 18, 2010 Awesome, fantastic piece of work. :bow: Thank you Spood ! Here is a picture from last night, ........It is starting to look quite "swimmy" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bedford Boys Posted February 19, 2010 Share Posted February 19, 2010 Thank you Spood ! Here is a picture from last night, ........It is starting to look quite "swimmy" Shouldnt that be "schwimmy"? :cool2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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