Mk1 NA***RESTORATION***

[Mazda Mender]

I'll still sort your little gem when your ready buddy.
M-m

[blackyb]

I know you will boss.

Now come on chaps more build thread updates for me to read.

[John&Luke]

Struggled a bit with movitation recently. No real progress due to a number of factors.

So a simple update. Fabricated up a new rear exhaust heat shield.

F17612DB-9536-4B56-9524-69E9823937B1.jpeg (81.32 KiB) Viewed 9884 times

And fitted.

518C19B0-F7AC-42DA-9199-FE8291220532.jpeg (95.87 KiB) Viewed 9884 times

Happy new year folks, and stay safe.

[Mazda Mender]

Whats happened on the motivation side bud? can we kick start you?
M-m

[John&Luke]

Whats happened on the motivation side bud? can we kick start you?
M-m

Thanks MM, all ok really, just need to get a grip and get stuck back in to it.

[John&Luke]

Little update.

I always planned to remove the center console and go with a stripped down retro tunnel look. Started this project today.

When finished the tunnel will have a simple chrome bezel for the gear shift and be covered in diamond stitched tan vinyl material. The first job being to sort out the gear shift. I turned the gear shift rubber boot upside down to lower its overall height above the tunnel. Then made two brackets that will have a cover plate mounted to them. I attached these using the rubber boot mounting holes see photo below.

570E63F9-D5DE-40B4-94D7-861C95EB9A4C.jpeg (95.66 KiB) Viewed 9818 times

This then allowed be to mount a plate to attach the chrome bezel to. Next the mock up of the plate.

1E3B440F-18E7-4A21-ADB5-330ECD3EB7F3.jpeg (115.65 KiB) Viewed 9818 times

It was then a matter of folding the mounting plate cutting out a hole for the gear shift and installing 5mm rivnuts to mount the bezel. The bezel will then secure the tunnel cover material and gear shift gator.

Here’s the fabricated plate I ended up with.

589455A8-8EF9-45A0-8933-66C083884C35.jpeg (92.72 KiB) Viewed 9818 times

And then fitted in place.

58CD36DD-3A17-45D4-AC2A-17F9FB680709.jpeg (97.48 KiB) Viewed 9818 times

4ACF0838-46CC-4CD4-B2C6-B26CD26D0BAF.jpeg (98.77 KiB) Viewed 9818 times

8937BEEB-07A9-4D6F-8619-8D2F69085D94.jpeg (87.8 KiB) Viewed 9818 times

Final job to made a card template for my vinyl covering.

571FFB0C-D747-4C95-80F3-BD46B01DAB9A.jpeg (141.88 KiB) Viewed 9818 times

FC657157-2B14-4E8F-A096-92BA2D939360.jpeg (124.8 KiB) Viewed 9818 times

[graymattor]

Nice work as always, its nice to see you getting back in to your build (i wish i could say the same - interest = gone!)

I was planning a similar style for a short console, i have a Nielex tomb stone and trying to fine a Nielex short console is impossible so i was going to make something similar our of polished stainless shell, i did start a 3D model of one so i could create a sheet metal pattern, but as stated above the interest went away

Keep the updates coming, its nice to see someone progressing, cheers up my mornings

[John&Luke]

Nice work as always, its nice to see you getting back in to your build (i wish i could say the same - interest = gone!)

I was planning a similar style for a short console, i have a Nielex tomb stone and trying to fine a Nielex short console is impossible so i was going to make something similar our of polished stainless shell, i did start a 3D model of one so i could create a sheet metal pattern, but as stated above the interest went away

Keep the updates coming, its nice to see someone progressing, cheers up my mornings

Greymatter, thank you for your kind words. Life is difficult for everyone at the mo and the inability to plan anything with any certainty doesn’t help motivation IMO.

Can we help you in anyway, And get your motivation back? The more updates on projects (even if only a moan) the more I think we are all inspired. Come on, you know you want to get back to it!,,

Look forward to your updates

John

[blackyb]

I think that the current climate of covid restrictions and the weather has dampened a lot menders enthusiasm.

That's why those that have projects ongoing need to keep going as we the unenthused or the ready to go club need the updates to read to brighten up our long winter days.

So when the next installment coming !!!!

[Lumphammer]

I have the opposite to you, i live in a very small house and my partner moved in at the first lockdown so coming out to the garage every evening is about all that's keeping me sane. Although i'm here a lot i just end up moping around so i'm very slow at doing things, especially now it's winter and the weather is crap.

I think you're doing an amazing project, your creativity and talent have been a big inspiration to me

[John&Luke]

As always thanks for all the support and positivity.

@MM was looking for the Sewing section but alas I couldn’t find it. So will post here instead

Centre console update. Been experimenting with some vinyl and an old sewing machine. Diamond stitching sample #1

D626A84A-A85D-4C72-A3D1-3859A0694ED9.jpeg (71.46 KiB) Viewed 9682 times

Pleased with this so pushed on with a full sized piece. Next photo shows the relative size difference.

6EABD9D0-DF83-451E-9564-CEBEC566DD2C.jpeg (375.91 KiB) Viewed 9682 times

You should be able to see the guide lines for my sewing on the full sizepiece.
Anyway all excited last night I started. What could go wrong ????? After a total of an hours practise ???? Answer lots

31655BAF-F90A-44F8-A065-91DCFDD7700C.jpeg (57.96 KiB) Viewed 9682 times

Size really does matter. So much harder. And ended up with a massive failure.

Material to thick for the sewing machine, causing bunching, thread getting caught, a real pigs dinner.
Back to the drawing board!!! Spent two hours unpicking the whole thing and a couple of hours on YouTube.

Late last night ended up with this.

C3E718FF-81A4-4465-AACC-C32093E0347E.jpeg (435 KiB) Viewed 9682 times

EAE2CC9C-8680-48FB-8215-30FF63B191D1.jpeg (377.18 KiB) Viewed 9682 times

Then carried on this evening to end up with this.

FD9426F5-AAD1-4068-8AB6-B00D82469335.jpeg (405.72 KiB) Viewed 9682 times

87E5E879-CEB8-4D7C-836B-35DBA1C23FDA.jpeg (368.58 KiB) Viewed 9682 times

DDC36583-581A-4BF1-AC78-73DB45AEAED4.jpeg (425.15 KiB) Viewed 9682 times

920E045E-CDBA-4C34-BCAA-9052610D0857.jpeg (356.26 KiB) Viewed 9682 times

91054446-A6DE-48FC-B2F6-81EDAA72DB1E.jpeg (449.56 KiB) Viewed 9682 times

So pretty chuffed. Don’t get me wrong it’s no way near perfect and I have decided to use this as a trial and start again. IF ANY MEMBER HAS ANY NEEDLEWORK KNOWLEDGE PLEASE LET ME KNOW..... I COULD DO WITH SOME ADVICE PLEASE.

Anyway let me know what you think.

Stay safe all.

[graymattor]

Looks great JL, I would too also be very chuffed with your results, you have done a great job.

I've always wanted to get in to automotive trimming, it really appeals to me, I've done some DIY work in the past but nothing with a diamond stitch, I've never had a machine industrial enough, i was booked on a training course on the south coast but ended up having to cancel it, but this is going back some years now.. I cannot offer any assistance, but id be interested to know what type of machine you have and foot you are using, are you using a walking foot/even feed foot, these will help with the bunching up..

Going back a few messages, my lack of motivation is really because i have to be motivated in other areas (whole house refurbishment and very busy with my job) but i will admit there is an element of me avoiding doing anything on the MX's due to fear of cocking something up (all the tools and no idea keeps springing to mind!) i am hoping that when the weather improves ill have some motivation to get in to the garage and 'try' and make a start, but when the weather improves the garden maintenance begins which then absorbs my weekends, so its quite hard to make time! i may look at using some annual leave to work on the car, i cannot see me using it for much more this year!

Keep up the great work JL, you work is very inspiring

[blackyb]

All I can say is hats off to you and all the menders who take on rebuilds and sort outs.

As for sewing, I am no seamstress but I am the one who seems to use our sewing machine the most and the best.

My secret is test and check before committing and slowly slowly.

[John&Luke]

Trial fit of tunnel cover.

90C0334F-38D1-4B9A-8B01-1EED7481C79C.jpeg (135.84 KiB) Viewed 9622 times

[graymattor]

Looks really smart JL, what's your plan for the boot/fuel levers and hand brake? i was planning on going for a similar look but may be a shorty console to house the window switches, are you moving your window switches to the blank at the front of the tombstone?

I have relocated my boot/fuel levers to the underside of the passenger seat for emergencies only (and security reasons, i was planning on not having a soft top just hard and bikini top, not sure if that's a good idea or not yet lol) and I have installed solenoids to both the boot and fuel flap which I can operate from my alarm fob

Keep up the great work