S1g 579 #51 Posted April 17, 2015 Last night a contact in the trade on hearing what I was doing with these old beavers offered me the remains of a beaver 3 free of charge if I wanted to take it out his way. It's rough and incomplete, but With the bits I've got in my store I hope to resurrect it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #52 Posted April 18, 2015 17,9 This afternoon ive been doing some more work on the beaver 1's frame. All the codged up welding repairs have been cut out ready for re welding. Unfortunatley my mig has broken therefore ive oreded up some very small rods for the stick welder to see if theres enough material left not to blow holes in it. After cutting the axle off I can see why they welded it on rather than bolt it in place as per original. should be intresting to sort. Ive managed to source a new set of wheels that will just need boring to suit the axle. The picture probably illustrate why JCB very shortly brought out the beaver II, the frames were just not man enough for the job. Even when they used to still be floating about in use(20+ years ago) I don't think that I ever saw one that hadn't been reinforced along the bottom. Ive straightened out the one remain piece of the rubber support bracket at the back and will have to fabricate another, when purchased this one had had a very crude mount welded to the rear of the chasis. The one job I hate doing is removing the paint off JCB power packs as its a type of plastic coating that is almost impossible to remove. (grit blasting doesn't touch it), therefore I have spent a couple of hours with a grinder and wire brush attachment removing this coating(along with skin from my fingers). After welding there will have to be quite a bit of filling and panel beating before I'm at the painting stage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #53 Posted April 19, 2015 Managed today to get on with my all time dreaded job, Filling! The various numbers, names and dents were removed with grinding back then several small layers of filler, followed by several thick coats of etch primer. 1 nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
phil murrell 41 #54 Posted April 19, 2015 we still use these to pump out manholes and also with a cutter for large cables 1 S1g reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #55 Posted April 20, 2015 we still use these to pump out manholes and also with a cutter for large cables I haven't seen a beaver 1 in years, the last one that came in in part ex was around 13 years ago. I seem to remember it got broke for parts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #56 Posted April 20, 2015 Got to work at about 6.30 this morning and managed to get most of the frame welded up and straightened on the press, ( there is still a little distortion left however to go any further may do more harm than good). I also discovered just how hard it is to weld a frame this thin with a stick welder, certainly got plenty of practise at filling holes, just a small amount left to do tomorrow. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #57 Posted April 22, 2015 Been doing a bit more to this project today. The frame is starting to take shape, just got to build the contour of the tube up to the right size. Ive also refitted the cooling fan, the oil filter- which again is obsolete but luckily the one fitted just needed a good clean out, the oil cooler was bolted back in, and I also found a good jcb oil filler cap. I thought id also include a photo of the welder ive been using, sledge hammer to a walnut springs to mind. 1 Stormin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #58 Posted April 23, 2015 Managed to get the side bar fully profiled this morning, it's very close to original. Also Had a bit of luck today, the bloke who's helping us at work at the moment has said he will strip all the paint off the compacts frame this weekend for two packs of fags- absolute bargin as far as I'm concerned! Hopefully it won't be to long until I can get to the painting stage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #59 Posted April 24, 2015 Love the black and silver. Can't think why though. 1 S1g reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #60 Posted April 24, 2015 17,4 Just a few updates,got the compacts frame dismantled ready for the chap to strip the paint. I also did some work on its engine,- a decoke and valve regrind, I fitted the original chrome cover to a later exhaust off a GX 160 (black cover), painted up the air shroud and recoil, sorted out a good condition badge, and oil alert switch. Also fitted a brand new old stock fuel tank and a new air filter assembly. 1 Stormin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #61 Posted April 25, 2015 Love the black and silver. Can't think why though. Just remember that jcb got there first! Lol. One thing that I didn't like on the compact is the air filter cover, at present I'd fitted a Chinese one, but the design is slightly different. Genuine honda ones have also been changed, was very pleased when I spotted a new old stock one on ebay last night. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #62 Posted April 26, 2015 As the Beaver and Compact are getting closer to being finished, I thought i'd start to take a look at the Solite today, in case I need to source any hard to find parts.Partially dismantling it, Ive also come to the conclusion that it was originally painted yellow, and received its white coat not that long after it was made, companycolours perhaps? Any way to help balance my display out I will be returning it to the original yellow.Going through my parts Ive dug out a new oil cooler, plus found a couple of other parts to improve the cosmetic apperances. With the cover off you can see its theexact opposite of the Beaver, The whole frame is built very robust, probably why it is so dam heavy! Also maybe out of stupidity Ive just purchased a Panther madepower pack that uses the same G400, as it was the main completion for the JCB at the time I would like to also restore this one, however I may end up having to use it for spares in order to complete the JCB, time will tell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #63 Posted April 28, 2015 Been cleaning up the pump on the beaver today, then started to sort out some of the hydraulic connectors. Lastly I repainted and refitted the power on demand valve. 1 nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #64 Posted April 30, 2015 Been doing some more piping up on the beaver, at least at work we have a crimping machine so I don't have to pay for hoses. Just need to sort out some jublie clips for the low pressure hoses and then I can give it a flow test. My new air filter cover also arrived today for the compact. All I need to do now is to find an elbow to match it. 1 Stormin reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #65 Posted April 30, 2015 That's looking good, Gareth. 1 S1g reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #66 Posted May 1, 2015 That's looking good, Gareth. Thankyou for the compliment. I'm off work for a week from tonight so progress may slow down for a bit. 1 nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #67 Posted May 1, 2015 All I did today was to make and weld in another av rubber support bracket. just got to slightly adjust the profile so they match each other. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #68 Posted May 2, 2015 After being constantly let down by the lad from work (my fault for paying him in advance)- I finished stripping all the paint off the compacts frame myself, just need to grind back the weld that holds the mesh in place, straighten then re weld. I also today collected the Panther Power Pack, (involved a 200 mile round trip) but very happy as it starts first pull. The plan is to take a couple of the better engine parts off this and fit to the solite, then redo afterwards. Does anyone have any thoughts on how to clean up the top frame please? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #69 Posted May 4, 2015 Brake fluid is a good paint stripper. Rinse off with boiling water. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #70 Posted May 13, 2015 Warning! Never look at ebay when you're bored! I was browsing the other night, whilst waiting for the missus to get ready and accidentally bought this beaver 2. In my defence it was very cheap. Should be picking it up on Saturday. 1 nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #71 Posted May 13, 2015 Warning! Never look at ebay when you're bored! I was browsing the other night, whilst waiting for the missus to get ready and accidentally bought this beaver 2. Think yourself lucky. Wife away, bottle of wine, E-bay and my mate ended up with this. 2 S1g and nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #72 Posted June 12, 2015 Bit of a mojo lift, finally got the decals for this long winded project. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #73 Posted June 15, 2015 Ive not had the best of days. After checking the forecast I went into work just gone 5am to get the frame for this beaver and the Compact sprayed up. The Primmer went on great, but for some reason the top coat must of had a contamination in it because it reacted badly, so I had to strip all the paint off including the primmer. Some new top coat has now been ordered. Next I started stripping down one of the hammers. The diaphragm that apparently never fails has started to brake up (nearly £100 on its own!) and Ive discovered that there is 3 different sizes of piston, and I had the seal kit for the other 2. However wanting something to go right I applied the decals to the fuel tops and the recoils along with new starter cords and handles on the 2 I hadn't yet changed. 1 nigel reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stormin 4,458 #74 Posted June 15, 2015 I like the rainbow coloured hoist. Those covers and caps look smart. 1 S1g reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
S1g 579 #75 Posted June 16, 2015 Refitted the starters today, and I also managed to get the paint on the 2 frames today(and my van, and the grass and...) Photos will have to wait till tomorrow as the battery went in my camera. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
