Project continuation

Hi all, if there is anyone still reading this blog. Anyway, that's not entirely why the blog is here. It's my outlet to get ideas onto paper, well, into words on a screen anyway. Since my last update I have finally moved back to Sydney! I've been a bit quiet on the Clubman build regardless due to getting a job which turned out I hated with an absolute passion, and a positive is that I have started designing and building my own CNC plasma cutter.

Since I last blogged about the plasma cutter idea I decided that to spend $18k on a turn key table was way too over the top especially as i didn't get made redundant from the previous job. So I have designed and built my own table and have started the design and build of the CNC axis. The table has a cutting envelope of 3000 x 1500mm, well slightly less due to the size of the gantry on the X and Y rails. Anyway, about to go up to the folks for a day and a bit of working on the table x axis. Can't wait. I'll leave with a few pictures.

Start of registration VSCCS procedure

www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsccs_brochure.pdf

Seat dimensions

Parts needed for restarting build and OCD

I've decided that i have OCD. Can't stop thinking about it so i went on the net and found tips and tricks to help and one of them was to write everything out to get the thoughts out there. So the reason for turning back to the blog, not sure if anyone is still reading it though, never mind. Its a good tool for me though, but i hope people get something out of it.

I really don't want to make the front, or the rear wishbones for the car. I might have to buy them. You still can get them from a few places for the MX5 build. Maybe the rear wishbones i'll have to make myself as the plans for the rear end is a Voodou design and i dont think they are around any more. Brilliant design though still compared to the other ideas out there. Although they are more readily used, probably because they have been proven and the design im using wasn't around for long. Good thing i still have to old laptop with all the files still there.

I really need to buy different seats for the car as well. I was going to use the seats from the donor car but after fiddling with the chassis to try and make them fit, they still don't fit properly. I'm going to have to buy some Cobra Roadster 7 seats. A hell of a lot thinner at the base where i was having lots of problems fitting the Mazda ones. These are going to be pretty expensive though. I'm looking at about $695 each. And then $95 each for the runners to mount them.

Cost update

It's also been 2 years since i've spent any money on the clubman. But to keep the records going carried over from last update i had spent $2120.80. Since then -

Sold MX5 hard cover   $350
        MX5 chassis         $1,000

So again for the maths haters out there i am now back to $770.80. Not bad really. All about the right place and right time.

Long time no anything

Bless me internet, for it has been almost 2 years since my last blog post. In that time i have moved to the other side of the country, changed jobs, travelled, got engaged to an amazing woman and basically changed everything for a while. ALTHOUGH........

I think about the Clubman every, and i mean EVERY single day. It is a massive obsession.......... Well the time has almost come to get back to the build. A few things are happening soon hopefully. Fingers crossed i get made redundant from my current job. And with that comes the move back to NSW, back to friends and family and back to the build. Other things in line with the move back, i'm looking into starting my own business. Not sure how it will go so it will be a part time thing while it gets off the ground and will mean i'll have to have a job to make ends meet in the meantime.

So the business will be CNC plasma cutting. I am looking into investing about $18k into the CNC table and have come down to a Torchmate unit from the states. Should be pretty awesome. It will also help with the build and along with my build will help with a friend building a '32 coupe hotrod.

All in all i can't wait to get back to the east coast and get on with life. I cant think of anything more satisfying than being able to complete the clubman.

Time for a parts sell off

Up for sale is the body and the hard top of the MX5. So i'll post pictures here so i can post them on other websites.