Building A Jig For A Classic Mini Not Cooper - Project Gretel

Join us in the workshop for Episode 3 of #ProjectGretel. Follow along as we build a Jig which is the next step in preparing to overhaul the body of Gretel.
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[@1380flip]

Looking forward to seeing the jig finished...... will be a great addition to the garage. 👍👍👍

[@HREIRL]

Me two brother I am really looking forward to being able to build cars in it.

[@dalewarren9518]

Great video , so nice to see you showing all the details of what your building .

[@HREIRL]

Glad you enjoyed it dale thanks for your time and comment

[@TheMINIMOKE1]

Another great video Paul. An alternative to checking squareness would be to measure the two diagonals. You also tack light bars across the diagonals to keep the frame square whilst welding.

[@HREIRL]

all about it David good point

[@paulp96275]

Paul very well explained great idea with the modules which is exactly what you can do with a very expensive jig regards the wheels don’t use pneumatic wheels solid is the way to go hot weld slag /sparked etc and you don’t have to worry about level ie soft tyres if you can get solid wheels all the better ie steel old small cart 9 ins then no ridgity lost sorry for the ramble you probably already going that way great as usual Paul awaiting the next episode stay safe my friend 👍👨🏻‍🏭🇬🇧

[@HREIRL]

Absolutely brilliant advice listen out in todays video very much appreciate the comment

[@ianroberts8692]

As usual very interesting and more great tips, going to be hell of a jig 😁

[@HREIRL]

Hope so! and thanks Ian

[@franciscomelendez3894]

Paul Great Videos again! 👍 Dig your white bord!

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Francisco It dose make explaining a little easer haha

[@alaister100]

Loving your channel, here in Jamaica.

[@HREIRL]

Hi Alaister that’s awsome great to hear we are making it all the way to Jamaica 🇯🇲 thanks for your lovely comment

[@patrickcallaghan1714]

I've worked in construction my whole life and used the 3- 4- 5 rule thousands of times and also used the measurement from corner to corner to get a similar effect. It's going to great when it's finished.

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Patrick, you are geting a glimpse of my own construction roots showing through

[@garydempsey3332]

Cracking Breakdown and inventive frame squaring method's. I'm putting an order in for "gussets", "leather carpet" and I'll be "tackin and checking" for it in the post. How spoilt are we for blow by blow content on this channel absolutely love it! Super work Gentleman role on the next video.

[@HREIRL]

Thanks buddy we are making progress now 👍

[@thomasfarrell9482]

I just had the pleasure of listening to the sermon on the mount. The drawing might have been 2D but the thinking was 4D!!! What a lesson. Loved it. Thanks for sharing your thought process. Roll on the next.

[@HREIRL]

as always you are very kind. Some times I am never sure if Im actully just speeking gibberish or if other people can figure what im banging on about 👍

[@iandevlin6824]

Be a great buy for anyone planning on their own build , if and when you were completely finished with the jig exactly the way you want it, have plans drawn up and you could sell those to whoever was interested!! Another great episode Paul 👏 👌

[@HREIRL]

Very true I will take some measurements and see if I can get someone to make up some drawings for me be nice to have a record of how to make one 👍

[@russell5790]

The amount of thought you put into this jig design is incredible, you seem to have considered every conceivable issus that may crop up. Great video Paul :)

[@HREIRL]

Thank you very much, I am trying to build this one right the first time haha

[@aussiebloke609]

Really enjoying the thought you put into these videos, mate. I'm keeping up to date while also going through your back catalogue, and I'm pleased to see your quality was up to snuff in the beginning. It's been years since I could own a Mini (#sadface) but they still fascinate me. And your shop reminds me of where I used to get mine worked on in Sydney for all those jobs I just couldn't manage in my driveway - nostalgia ftw. :-) PS: Another way to ensure your jig is square without actually doing any maths is to simply measure both diagonals with a simple piece of string - so long as your initial cross pieces are accurately attached down the length of the main pieces. No matter what the diagonals measure, the only important thing is that they should be identical. If not, tap on the corners with a hammer until they are. That said, doing the maths at the same time can be seen as additional confirmation. :-)

[@HREIRL]

Thanks buddy im glad you are enjoying the earlier stuff and Im delighted it brings back memories 👍

[@gavinosullivan7904]

I'd go solid wheels, it'll always be the one in close to the wall that'll go flat! And, I wasn't expecting trigonometry!

[@HREIRL]

Cant beat a bit of Trig 👍

[@rhysdigby-gu9ql]

nice one paul another enjoyable video,,must admit i did have my heart in my mouth as the cameraman was walking around,i was praying he didnt kick the frame before you tacked it..lol..ive never done or used a mini jig,when i was doing classic fords in my workshop i did have my capri jig that worked very well ,used to roll the shell over..have you also considered another of the bolt on attachments you mentioned to incorporate a bracing between A and B posts once doors are removed? also maybe a cross brace from O/S to N/S on the A&B posts..great work indeed mate..

[@HREIRL]

haha Billy is like a ninja he actually just floats around the workshop most of the time 😂

[@CooperSTraveller]

Great job Paul 👍🏻

[@HREIRL]

thanks buddy

[@tobymiddleton6763]

Ok so in my last comment i said i was working on a project. Part of that is improving a super basic jig. Not only that but I'm working on a Morris Minor which ALSO needs a jig. I can't help but think HRE are making content just for me 😁 I'm sure plenty of people are trying to build workshops as much as projects so these videos will be popular. Great stuff as always. Thanks!

[@HREIRL]

Hay Toby we aim to please hehe

[@jerrooney8714]

Your giving cellette a run for their money Paul with the jig, great job and it will work out very useful going forward.

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Jer 👍

[@nicholasreason8379]

the jig is excellent and with you slide in box section you could also get a rotisserie as well

[@HREIRL]

Brilliant Idea that one is going on the white boards

[@tobymiddleton6763]

Rotisserie jigs are really popular and in my very limited experience they make sill work a lot easier

[@ryanharriss7950]

Yeah, was thinking rotisserie as well, maybe an add-on a frame component of some sort. See, get the subscribers to design it 😉

[@tobymiddleton6763]

@@ryanharriss7950 jeeez if HRE thinks their drawing is bad wait until you see mine... my designs are all made out of lego 😅

[@ryanharriss7950]

@@tobymiddleton6763 lol, nothing wrong with legs, I recall doing my robotics project at college using lego mindstorms. Actually some fantastic projects on KZbin for rubics cube solvers.

[@unclekevin5094]

Thank you for taking the time to explain your thought process and why you did each step of the build of the jig. Not everyone has your experience and if you just rush in and build there is a chance that some people will not understand why you are doing something. I am very excited to see that you are moving on with Gretel. Until now you have done a lot of work on engines where I am fairly competent but bodywork repairs I hate with a passion. I dont have the skill nor the patience so I am very interested to see you work. Gretel deserves the best. As usual an interesting and educating production.

[@HREIRL]

You will be sick of me doing body work by the time we get to the body done on Gretel haha thanks Uncle K

[@Ellaraz_world]

Gretel is going to look fancy fancy on that jig !!

[@HREIRL]

Wont she just hahah

[@TheGentlemensMotorRacingTeam]

Fantastic episode - my dad taught me the 3-4-5 rule when I was about 10 years old as I would always spend my summer holidays with him working on building sites. as you say the larger the distance the more accurate your square is. Keep up the good work sir and who doesn't love watching a bit of quality fabrication - I love it.

[@HREIRL]

I love the 3-4-5 rule and for me it just makes so much sense and has been so reliable over the years

[@paulgoldsmith4693]

Hi Paul, great video getting this part right should stop any unfortunate alignment issues later in the build

[@HREIRL]

fingers cross it should be a one stop shop for putting minis back together

[@Hunter-gq9er]

Brilliant video thank you. I'm looking forward to seeing the next. Stay safe & all the best to you & your family 👍👍

[@HREIRL]

Thank you! You too David

[@TheMINIMOKE1]

I reckon you could also adapt that frame to be used as a rotisserie :)

[@HREIRL]

thats a brilliant Idea and could easily be built and an attachment that would slot on the ends of the jog

[@colinfursman]

Great insight into how your mind is thinking just one thing to add to the maths lesson the finite measurement for checking how square the jig or in my case the new building is to check that the diagonal measurements are identical

[@HREIRL]

great point Colin listen out in todays video 👍

[@robertwilson6020]

Colin Wrigglesworth has similar thoughts to me, in making jig adaptable for extra length of estates, vans and pick ups and was going to suggest you created expansion in the main frame like the extensions you plan for end extensions with sliding tubes in centre of main frame but that I fear might compromise your level. Equally now you have put in cross braces would not work. Maybe you would need another jig for the longer wheelbase models. Your precision however would put BMC to shame!

[@HREIRL]

That all makes perfect sense, I will defiantly be making more of these Jigs and I think a longer one for the estates, vans and Pickups would be a great addition to our stable thanks for the ideas

[@thedecliningcyclist3321]

If I’d had the patience, foresight and skill to build a jig like this when I started rebuilding my mini pickup 5 years ago I probably wouldn’t be wondering now why I can’t get the doors to fit 🤣🤨

[@HREIRL]

Well its for that very reason I am doing it finally I have been limping along for the past few years with two bits of sub par jigs making work for my self no for once for all I will have something proper to rely on

[@andrewatkins3219]

What a cracking idea that is Paul, when can I put my order in for one?! Honestly your idea would be a dream for people restoring minis.. Get it patented you would make a killing! Can’t wait for the next video on it... keep it going Paul 👍🚗💨

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Andrew, hopefully it all works out and we have something that can be easily reproduced and give great accuracy

[@robuk8682]

Hi Paul, great thoughts brilliantly executed! Get a patent or design registration pretty quick and go into production!! I can see such a useful jig performing in a most useful and repeatedly accurate manner. Take care and keep safe! Rob

[@HREIRL]

Thanks Rob cheers for the lovely coment 👍👍

[@EnginesRob]

Paul - a great video again. Thanks for sharing! Have you thought about the vertical alignment aspects too, not just at the critical subframe mounting points, but also (e.g. when doing major floor work) keeping the shell and door apertures square/aligned and avoiding any twisting in the shell?

[@HREIRL]

Brilliant Idea Rob will take that into account thanks for the advice

[@2tall4shorts12]

Been thinking of a jig myself but I'm no welder so would have to get someone else to do it which would have been prohibitivly expensive. Dimensions for reference points are contained in the original BMC drawings: A9006 Side View Vertical Alignment Check A2563 Subframe Transverse Dimensions A2349 Subframe Alignment Diagrams Also consider perhaps having the rear mounts on the main frame long enough to cope with the 4inch difference between saloon and estate, van, pickup.

[@unclekevin5094]

You should have a go at welding.You can get enough of an idea from KZbin. It gets easier the more you do and it does not have to look fantastic, just strong and safe. A basic welding kit is not too expensive so if it really doesnt work out for you you will not be greatly out of pocket and if it does work out you can move on to more ambitious projects.

[@HREIRL]

I agree with Uncle K Go for it get your self a small cheep mig and some steel and you will be amazed what you can do with just a small bit of learning here on youtube and practice, welding is 99% practice and preparation. Thanks for the numbers of those drawings I need to find them some where as they would be great to have as reference

[@2tall4shorts12]

@@HREIRL Have emailed then to you

[@grahamwoodier5066]

I really enjoyed this video and am looking forward to seeing the finished article. Will you paint it or retain the existing rusty patina? It was good to see some school maths coming in useful. I am still waiting for some of the engineering maths I "studied" at Uni to come in handy for something...

[@HREIRL]

you and me both Graham, I think it would only be right to give it a nice coat of paint :)

[@stewartpalmer7039]

To ensure any frame is square, I just measure the diagonals and I ensure they are the same. Is your method more accurate?

[@HREIRL]

I think honestly they are both as accurate I just like that I can work on a corner at a time with this method my mind gets a bit overwhelmed when I try and think of the 4 corners at once lol

[@midgelambert3880]

In order to get your jig square could you not just measure the diagonals until you had them both the same. From one corner to the other? Or does it have to be more precise using your method.

[@HREIRL]

spot on midge have a listen out in todays video

[@BianShaw]

Started getting cold sweats when you started talking Pythagoras Theorem brought me back to leaving cert it might aswell of been hieroglyphics 😟 😆 🤣 but you know what you make it understandable use real examples with the frame like a hands on approach to a maths problem.

[@HREIRL]

Hi Brian Glad it was understandable I was never great at Math my self but as life goes on you realise how important it is and had to get my head around it 👍

[@BianShaw]

@@HREIRL I didn't want to ask directly but did the mini every end up get to the Faroe islands, I've the video playlist saved incase of updates.

[@HREIRL]

@@BianShaw we haven’t got back to it yet would you believe Brian but this year will hopefully see a big amount of progress on the shell 👍👍

[@alaister100]

Hello Paul. Was I correct in saying that " Gretel " was painted in Tahiti Blue ?

[@dru0pa]

So you looking to do one a jig like project binky

[@HREIRL]

Thanks buddy listen out on the next video 😉

[@nrhobson]

It's not a copper (in best Arnie voice)

[@HREIRL]

"It will be BACK"