stainless trim..can you hammerform it?

I just picked up buick wildcat stainless trim and want to install it on my electra. The two models are real close, but not exactly the same so I need to cut some of the trim and cap the ends. I searched and found info about welding the ends with stainless wire in your tig/mig welder. But the question I have is " can I hammerform the ends over ? " or will it crack and split?

 

A hammerform isn't the right technique for that.
Cut and weld. You should use a sheared off piece of the original trim as a filler to TIG it together, color will match best that way.

 

Ok, but why? Originally the trim is stamped in a die, isn't it?

 

why not take some extra and give it a shot?
if it cracks....then weld the cracks

make your form from steel or aluminum not wood so you can be sure to have the most crisp corners that you can

using a piece of the base material for filler is a good idea so it polishes out nice and even

good luck
Zach

 

You can do an amount of hammering and stuff to stainless.

I straightened out a couple small trim parts that way. I also shrunk out a couple little waves with a plumber's torch and wet rag.

Don't know if it's 'right' or 'recommended'; one of those things I just did and got away with, but it worked for me.

With all that in mind, I'd step out and guess that you should be able to beat/file/sand/polish it into doing what you want. But remember, my warranty only covers the price of this advice!

-bill

 

Now I'm only talking minor dents and dings but, I have used a drill press like an arbor press with an old rounded phillips screw driver in the chuck. Press the trim from the back side. use a piece of wood under the trim. Work slow and press small areas that are low. A file and buffer come next.

 

You can definitely hammer-form stainless as long as you use the correct alloy and temper condition. The color the other guys have mentioned relates to alloy. There are several ductile alloys and or temper conditions you could use but you really would need to know what was used on the original pieces to have an exact match. If you were starting from scratch and making new pieces, 304 is one of the better forming grades and is available in soft, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and full-hard temper conditions.

Have fun.

- EM

 

Soo, without knowing the alloy make up and temper conditions, I shouldn't waste my time?

 

like Zach znd few others have mentioned...cut the trim to length, then use an extra piece to use as filler (and also use it for the filler rod material)..This way, you're using the same material and the weld should be completely invisible after metal finishing...It shouldn't take to much force to modify the trim...

 

you also need to remember to purge the back side of the welds because it the welds will be brittle and contaminated.