Replacing bottom cabinet panel

[BrianS]

I am replacing the lower cabinet panel on a Vendo 56 and 81. You can see from the pic below, they were completely shot.   A couple questions.  I am planning on talking with a couple sheet metal shops about making the replacement pieces unless someone knows of a source for them already.  Did not see them on any of our sponser sites.  I assume that those of you who restore professionally have your own local sources for these when you need them, what would you consider to be a reasonable cost.  Do you just get them done in galvanized?  I would think that labor would make up the majority of the expense so I am looking at having them made in stainless as an option as well.  I will let every one know what kind of pricing I get back.  Does anyone else out there need these?  I can look at having several done at the same time if there is any interest.  Lastly, I have seen several posts over time where people have recommended these pieces be replaced, and now that I have mine out, I think it is a "must do".  Getting them out, however, can be a bit of a challenge if you haven't done it before.  Thought I would share what ended up working well for me and ask for input from others on how they do it.  After a bit of trial and thankfully no significant error. I ended up using a Dremel tool with a cutting wheel.  By rubbing it back and forth over the spot weld you wear a hole through the inner panel and leave the outer cabinet untouched.  Takes a little time because you dont want to rush it, but I ended up with the panels cut out and no impact to the rest of the machine.  Once the inner panel was completely out, I could go back and smooth off the weld spots.  The pic below shows the resulting hole in hte rusted pan.  Actual hole is smaller than a dime.

[Eric]

There's a guy that sets up at the Chicago show that makes them, the 56 bottle door skin with windows, 44 racks and a few other items...
Soda Springs name is Jim Rud - sodaspr.com - email is info@sodaspr.com
at least this is what is on his card I got a couple years back....

[BrianS]

Thanks Eric,  went to that site and the do actually have the pans already made up and listed on the site.  Great to have that as an option. I appreciate the lead.

[Zach]

How do you install these? Seems welding stainless steal to steal wouldn't quiet work?

[briandr1]

You can weld stainless steel you just have to use stainless steel wire in your mig welder.

[bubba]

How do you install these? Seems welding stainless steal to steal wouldn't quiet work?

You can weld stainless steel to steel.

The one bottom I replaced was rotted out in the middle. I cut the bottom out, leaving about 1/2" all the way around still welded to the cabinet. I welded a flat plate to that and used rust converter, then seam sealer, and then coated the entire cabinet with rubberized undercoat.

[SIGNGUY]

Your replacing the bottom panel of the cabinet, not the shell right.

the ones Jim sells I believe is the bottom pan for the Tub and it's made of stainless..

I replace each one in almost every machine i restore.. it's just easy to use a spot weld cutting bit and the pan drops right out in about 5 minutes..

My body guy has the dimensions and just gets them made up for each machine we do... I honestly donn't even know the cost, as it is just figured into my body work... I'll check and let you know.. I don't have the dimensions for the 56 so not sure if I can get one of those made

[BrianS]

We do some work with a local Mechanical contractor that has a sheet metal shop with a computer automated metal cutter.  I took the cabinet bottoms into them and they are going to cut me a couple of duplicates.  Its obviously not their typical work so they are just going to work it in when they have some slow time.  Since its computer cut, I am anticipating they should be an exact fit.  They thought that the 2 panels would run about $125 in total.  I'll let you know how they turn out. 

[BrianS]

Well this is certainly not the sexiest pic on this site, but I picked up the new panels.  They turned out very nice.  Pretty much identical to the originals.  Hoping to have a lifetime of rust free operation

[Pat Pixley]

I'm having one made right now for a Vendorlator 56 Transitional  and the inside shelve panel for the main door.
both look like they came out of the swiss cheese company.