g'day all! buying my first bedford.

[able]

how are you all?

i joined a week ago and have clocked up 12 hours reading here already .
i have my deposit on a old van (swb '78) and will be doing it up to get out of the mini van trap (six kids) in two to three weeks.

i have had a few private msg's to and from respected members and they are top notch at helping out new members, i have seen the good the bad and the ugly in examples and thank all who post not just finished pic's but also the ugly truth about what it takes to get a thirty year old vehicle back on the road.

i will be doing nothing fancy with the beddy, just a back to metal clean up and repaint....

and i take it the ideal position to be in is to have all running gear changed to easily bought (Holden) parts?

anyway after twelve hours reading and looking at pics here i thought i would say hello and thank you for being here.

i look forward to your advice and eventually finishing my bedford  with it!

[ben]

also hours and hours of reading on the old site too!! its under buga forum in the main menu. check it out man

cheers and welcome to buga.. were bedfords are a way of life!

congradulations on your newly purchase too! watch out youll catch the beddy bug!

ben

[Warren]

Welcome able

Yes there are plenty here willing to help or give advice, just dont believe a word of what the B&E crew say

Feel free to look around and ask any questions as there is a wealth of experience here.

Warren

[John Abbott]

Greetings Able...Good to see another beddie fan on board! When you get a chance throw up some pics of your new ride..We luv pics on this site!!!cheers..John Abbott

[ben]

warren!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! watch out! or well rope you into our group too!!! THe B&E&W crew!!

[able]

i intend to start the pics in a album when the flat bed drops of the van.

i will probably start my own thread with pics and running commentary so i can get help as i go.

im getting the fella to write a list of all body parts he has changed but will take pics for clarification on here.

im no pro... i have the usual experiences of youth when it comes to cars (beer and sanding if i remember correctly)

i want to do this with my own hands so i can be extra p*ssed off when some one backs into it after a week of being on the road (joke i hope)

a bedford was the dream car of my youth and i forgot that dream untill i was fed up with the minivan.... time to live the dream i say.  

[obsession]

able have you done any bodywork on beddies before ? if not ill list you all the tools Id never do without!
its all basic stuff but my fav would have to be a curved adjustable bodey file  there not expensive and will flex to suit the beddy body profile.
so once youv adjusted it on a good panel you retain the shape.

[able]

i have never heard of that... all cars i remember helping on had alot of flat panels and you just watch around ridges....

ill google it thanks.

(edit)
looks like this?


a list will be invaluable! i cant even guess how many liters of under coat/color and clear i will need.

im buying a new compressor and gun, i have never painted a car before myself but i have used my smaller compressor to paint furniture.

tips on compressor minimums and spray gun nozzles would be handy to...

the compressor i was looking at is $400 and is a 2.5 Hp with a 50L tank... will that do? or do i need more power? 

with six kids im on a budget.... one needs wheel chair space (folds up) as she survived a brain tumor but was left with stroke like symptoms down one side and lost her eye sight, this leaves me on a pension (im her carer) so after i get it home im looking at 1.8 thousand (after the compressor and gun)

$1800 should get all the tools and paint should it not? ben has me thinking of sharpening up my welding skills for the rust i will find when i start paint stripping.

i have a small mig already.

[obsession]

  thats my toy!

[ben]

hey that body file looks awesome craig.. cheers!!