Update 2 / Chop Process Part 1 : This update deals with the preparation of the body for chopping and the removal and replacement of the rear roof "turret" section.
Below: The "before"
Below: Bracing that has been added to stabilize the cabin.
Below: Another view of the bracing.
Below: The area in the red box is the area that will be dealt with in this part of the process.
The factory spot welds securing the turret to the sail panels need to be broken then preliminary cuts will be made on each side just above the masking tape to release the panel. After the piece is removed, the body and the turret section will be final-trimmed to effectively remove the 2" of material.
Below: This shows where the rear turret terminates at the roof opening.
Below: Location of spot welds. As the sail panel (the compound curved section) will be removed in then next step of the chop process, the spot weld below the horizontal masking tape needs to be broken also.
Below: Another view of the spot welds.
Below: Dave is using cutoff wheel to break the spot welds.
Below: With the spot welds broken, the preiminary cuts are made on both sides to release the panel.
Below: At this point, the cuts have been made and the panel is ready to be removed. The upper arrow indicates where the release cut is. The lower indicates the location of the final cut line which can be more accurately made with the panel removed.
Below: With the panel out of the way, the final cuts have been made. It's ready to receive the trimmed turret section.
Next Two Photos Below: Additional views of the area.
Below: Note the scribe line on the upper section. Once trimmed back on each side to this line, the section can be test fitted then spot welded back into position.
Below: The panel has been final-trimmed and is ready for spot welding.
Below: Inside view showing the upper and lower sections being positioned for spot welding..
Below: The original pencil markings can be seen here indicating the location of the scribed lines where the final cuts were made. Initial spot welds secure the section.
Below: The leading edge of the rear chopped turret section.
Below: Installed and ready for the next step.
Want to make a comment about this update? Comment area is directly below:
