The evidence

With the end of term comes the opportunity to catch up on some of the paperwork.  I have produced a pad saw handle, a sheet metal template and a block & stud to show the use of hands tools and equipment in motor vehicle engineering. This being a part of City & Guilds element of the course I need to evidence those skills. So now I need to photo my work and fill the form in.  Will email into college later. Link to word version of City & Guilds doc

MIRKA

The man from MIRKA visited today.  Got to see their range of sanding tools, polishing stuff and accessories in addition to their abrasives range.  It was interesting to compare the electric with the air powered.

The electric random orbit sander was very quiet - it was easy to chat at the same time as using it.  It worked off a 22v supply so no danger if the power lead were damaged.

The firm offer sanders with different amounts of orbit for different jobs - the finest had a 2.5mm orbit.

The polish compounds are clearly labelled so you can tell how coarse or fine they are.  A great and simple idea that I wish some other companies followed. 

SATA

SATA Spray gun cleaning

Today we were visited by SATA. I knew they did spray guns and it was great to have them demonstrated. Before lunch we had a lecture about the company history, and the products. We got to use their gun wash machine, as pictured above. The standard of engineering is impressive. Everything just works.

NEC Classic Car Show

Lea Francis Lynx

The college do the restoration theatre at the Footman James Classic Car Show.  As a student I got a free ticket great! I went to the show on Friday 16 November.  Bought a welding helmet and a tub of red rubber grease.

DKW

Jenny calipers - more tools

A quick google and I found these for only £3.49 delivered. Bargain.

Body Repair

One third of the course each Tuesday is about body repair. We have started with a couple of exercises setting out and making things.

Introduced to how to measure with calipers, rules etc. Use of pillar drill, guillotine, hole punch, centre punch, shears etc. Already had many of the tools at home, now I have been shown how to use them properly. Decided to buy a scriber and an engineers square to add to my collection.

Stripping paint

Am learning bodywork skills.  Wednesday is bodywork day.

Protective clothing.

Working out what type of paint is on the panel.

Using paint stripper

Using a dual action sander