marvinthemartian Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share Posted July 5, 2013 Have been doing a few more little jobs over the past month, welding up the rusty battery box, odds bits of painting and cleaning/degreasing the main gearbox and chassis rails. The battery box needed some new bits putting in the sides and a new bottom, which I cut from a different box. Then because in some places the metal was so thin, with lots of pinholes I decided to put a lot of filler in the inside of the strenghening swages, so that from the outside it looks fine, but once a battery is plonked inside, who'll see the insides. With the filler smoothed down, and a liberal coating of paint, not brill, but will serve a purpose. Here's a comparison of the two, or the good and the bad... I have also got my kigass tank painted and finished, bolted to its mounting bracket and put away in the shed for later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted July 5, 2013 Author Share Posted July 5, 2013 Where the truck is parked, it is a long way from a water supply, so cleaning is done by hand, scrubbing and brushing, washing off with a garden sprayer, though I am thinking about getting one of them drill powered pumps and a few 5 gallon containers, so I can get a bit more pressure up, as some places are hard to reach. Mainly using Gunk, with a bit of diesel too and household kitchen brushes as they are cheap. My arm isn't long enough to reach the drop arm! I have got more pics, but will have to put them up later, as it's time to get ready for the school run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gritineye Posted July 5, 2013 Share Posted July 5, 2013 (edited) Nice work, helluva big job but good to see you're keeping the momentum going well! :thumbsup: Don't worry too much about those inaccessible places, I didn't either... Edited July 5, 2013 by gritineye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted November 9, 2013 Author Share Posted November 9, 2013 Since my last post on here, not a lot has been done to the truck as I have been gearing up to get married, so money and time been diverted somewhat. Also in that time I've had my hard drive crash drastically so all previous restoration pictures and holiday photos and all other useful/useless info on it gone, I'm hoping to send it away to a specialist data recovery company but it'll cost quite a lot to do, and also really hope they can save all my pictures.:embarrassed::embarrassed::embarrassed: Anyway back to the truck, all I've really got to show so far is a switchboard that I've stripped for refurbishing. Front cover not too bad, some corrosion but have seen worse. The rear not too bad, the paint came off quite well, using wet & dry and a drill and a fibre wire wheel. Another shot of the back. With the cover removed, one can see the discolouration of the wiring, new wiring looms made up. Front cover sanded down and sprayed with etching primer during a brief warm spell. Back cover cleaned up ready for painting. Several views of the rewiring, used new terminals, and kept the old ones just in case I run short. also reused the ident tags, they're simply removed with a cup of hot water, dip the wire in, leave for a mo, slide the tag off, and slide onto new cable, though will need rewarming again. Same for the terminal boots too, they slide on better when warmed up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyFowler Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Good to see the wire ident tags are easily removed mate , could you tell me where you sourced the replacement wire please as I will be needing a fair bit soon hopefully ! Keep up the great standard of work mate its a real inspiration ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robin craig Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Lovely progress mate. I notice all your battery box lids are missing the rubber plug. Do you have an NOS supply of those or what is your cunning plan? R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zero-Five-Two Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 Sorry to hear about the computer loss, I suffered the same a few years back, never did get all the photos back. All the best for the wedding etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted November 10, 2013 Author Share Posted November 10, 2013 Andy, PM on way with much more details. Robin, I have a stash somewhere in the shed which I bought quite cheaply a while ago. Rob, wedding went very smoothly, all that work and preparation, the whole day went by too quickly. It's a bu99er when ones computer goes down, now have a backup hard drive, just like shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.... Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted November 15, 2013 Author Share Posted November 15, 2013 Now got the switchboard front part sprayed black. I have also got some new lettering to go onto it, it should be white but I am wondering whether or not to try and put some luminous lettering on. White lettering printed off. And luminous. The air pressure gauge had no illumination other than luminous numerals, so it may not look too out of place. I've got two front panels so may try both just to see. Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekawrecker Posted November 18, 2013 Share Posted November 18, 2013 Nice job Simon, a most enjoyable thread. It's great to see an artillery Martian being restored to such a high standard, and with the Rolls Royce petrol engine too! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted November 20, 2013 Author Share Posted November 20, 2013 HI Jonathan, thanks for popping in. The only thing with doing a good job is time and money! Either got one or the other, never both at the same time :cry: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wally dugan Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 JUST read this thread very interesting but heres abit of early history on the development of the MARTIAN lovely vehicle the file has lots of pictures and technical drawings the date is may 1950 REGARDS WALLY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted November 20, 2013 Author Share Posted November 20, 2013 Cheers for that Wally, it looks an interesting file to read, would it be possible for you to photocopy it, or is it too much. I have got this trucks army service history, obtained from the records at Beverley, and signed by yourself, maybe your signature will be worth something one day:-\:-\. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wally dugan Posted November 20, 2013 Share Posted November 20, 2013 its a big file but if you can wait till l get my new office scanner in a months time will do one copy for you regards wally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted November 20, 2013 Author Share Posted November 20, 2013 Yup, no rush Wally, thank you very much. Just let me know how many beer vouchers you want for doing it. Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted February 25, 2014 Author Share Posted February 25, 2014 Thought it was time to update this. Not done a great deal, spent the last week tidying one of the sheds so I can get in and start doing a few more jobs like stripping parts for cleaning and painting. On the switchboard front,I didn't like how it turned out using the printed lettering, so stripped it all of again, just waiting for a reasonably calm day to repaint it. In the meantime I aquired some 3 & 5mm Letraset transers, so will try those next. This is how it turned out. I think the main downside for me was the colour of the inkjet black wasn't the same shade as the black paint I used, also looks like the black has reacted slightly. Another job put aside for a rainy day and now finished has been the radiator filler filter, which was a bit shredded in places. I unsoldered it all, cleaned it up, stripped a fuel tank filter which has the same brass gauze, cut the gauze to size, and resoldered the new gauze, I cheated in places by using epoxy resin too. This is the original part. All the bits stripped. The finished article. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted April 7, 2014 Author Share Posted April 7, 2014 Finally good weather allowed me to have another go at the switchboard face, so duly repainted I attempted to apply the Letraset. Must say after a couple of botches, luckily the letters do pick off quite easily, so will also need to give it a coat of clear lacquer too, it didn't look too bad. Repainted better than last time. Nearly finished article. Just hope I can remember how it all goes back together.... Also after ages of biding my time, I also managed to aquire some air brake hose. After googling and asking at a local air/hydraulic company, some finally appeared on ebay. So duly ordered a good length, and have got two refurbished. All the bits ready, cleaned and painted to be assembled. Job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin Posted April 7, 2014 Share Posted April 7, 2014 Looking great, I love your attention to detail, it must be lining up to be the best Martian in the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted June 1, 2014 Author Share Posted June 1, 2014 Thanks Austin, still pottering really, just waiting on some really good weather so I can get some body panels rivetted on. Got loads of little bits to clean up and refurbish. Next job I've finally got round to doing was the front indicator guards, only taken 14 years! Anyway, got some sheet steel cut out to size and rolled to get the curvature, though not quite true, but a little tweak here and there, and they still look ok. The original items. After cutting the old steel away, it revealed a very rusty mounting ring, so duly cleaned up before welding on new. All glued up, a bit of filler in places, a good rub down and coat of zinc primer. Job done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 Had some bits back from the shot blasters, so finally got them primered to stop rusting. Think DBG can wait till nearer fitting time. Also been having another go at the switchboard lettering, the transfers didn't like the laquer overcoat. So have now tried vinyl lettering off ebay. Takes a while to pick and place each individual letter, but I think it's the best way i've found so far. Lined up against an old original, letters slightly thicker, but on it's own I think it'll be the way to go, they are supposed to be waterproof and you've got to give it a day for the letters to stick properly, so will check over the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antar Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Looks like you are doing an excellent restoration, spotted a US jerry can in the shot blasted parts ? So many Martians got cut up its really good to see one being preserved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted July 20, 2014 Author Share Posted July 20, 2014 Hi John, there is an Ameri can, but it needs a new bottom welding in. It's taken nearly 20 years to do, and still a long way to go yet! Lots get cut up, but they also turn up in the most unlikely places too. Still got the bits from that one you cut up last century. Simon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marvinthemartian Posted September 26, 2014 Author Share Posted September 26, 2014 On the switchboard front, the vinyl letters are the best way to go, rewired, new oil and main lenses, placed next to an NOS unit, looks just as good, well chuffed with it. Also messing around with an instrument panel too, a good clean up, repaint the bezel, new RPM and speedo dials. I have found a spray over of vinyl and plastic cleaner on the dial faces brings the dirt off, and gives them a almost new look again. Stainless 2BA setscrews finish the front off nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeePig Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 On the switchboard front, the vinyl letters are the best way to go, rewired, new oil and main lenses, placed next to an NOS unit, looks just as good, well chuffed with it.[ATTACH=CONFIG]97194[/ATTACH] Ha, I would not notice the difference unless someone told me - except that one, which I assume is the NOS one, has an arrow on it. trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowfat Posted September 26, 2014 Share Posted September 26, 2014 really impressive Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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