tech, hammerforming a 34 grill

i guess this could be used to hammerform anything. I had a 34 ford grill but it was to nice to cut up and make it fit my chevy,so I copied it. By the way, in no way was the original grill was harmed in the making of this part.

 

i started by making a rough pattern of the grill in paper.

 

And then? ...........

 

After this I transfered it to metal.to do this I used my $20.00 harbor frieght hand shear, placed in a vice. It works GREAT.After the piece is cut to a general shpe i rolled the edge in my edge roller. If you dont have an edge roller just lightly beat the edge of your pattern over a piece of pipe or a deepwell socket. I have a bunch of tiawan sockets I welded small pieces of steel so i could clamp them in my vice. you are not trying to get the shape, just a roll to start hammering from.

 

Next I clamped the piece to the grill, not tight, as i didnt want to hurt the original grill. Just enough to hold it while tapping it around.

 

I had to cut a relief in the tight radius, just to keep it from bunching as I hammered.

 

I made the grill from 4 pieces of 18 guage s**** metal. using the same process for each piece. i made tham all a little big so I could over lap them and mark them for a perfect fit.

 

As i stated before. i wanted to cut this grill down for the application, After removing 4 inches from the height, and 2 from the width I welded it together and ground it smooth. because it is going in a chevy, i opted for an expanded metal insert, but you could easily make the orignal bars by sandwiching hollow tubing between a couple of 2x4s in a vice. I have done this and it is very affective.

 

Here it is on the cr and ready to paint.

 

WOW, you make it look all too easy Jim. Now the rest of us can go out in the shop and see how much "s****" sheet metal we can destroy trying to do something similar.

 

REAL COOL! I was wondering how you made that.

 

Thank you...and I thought it took a bunch of specialized tools....Glad to see how easy it really can be. Can I ask how many hours you took to make the grille?

 

to the top for me. Awesome work, To hell with them high dollar aftermarket ****ers. Great work

 

Looks just as good in person, too

 

Very cool. nice work. That car is going to be sweet

 

I'm going to trash some cheap sockets tonight to make those hammer forms. What a great idea. Thanks!

 

I am in the grill a grand total of 12 hours. It might take you a lil longer if you havent done this kinda beating before, but at the price of a new one who really cares.

 

Out-fuggering-standing!

 

No ****. You made that look too damn easy. Beautiful.

 

Now all you need to do is start making 35 Ford grilles and you'll be a guzillianare!!!

Very nice work Jim!!!!

 

you did an outstanding job, and i am glad you posted the tech artical to go with it!!! now im ready to go in the shop and try hammer forming me some sheet metal.

 

Very nice work.

-Jason

 

Jim That's great. People need to know this all about careful thought and work...not magic

Thank you

 

Yeah....BUT, don't ya need an original to $tart with for the "form"????

Looks nice....really nice.....

 

Your metal working skill's inspire the hell out of me!
THANKS for taking the time to post this.

Tony

 

the cool part about this is you could do it with a real rough one or even a fibregl*** one. If doing it over gl*** you will need to fill the backside of the gl*** one with plaster, or concrete to give it some rigidity. the coolest part is this works for anything you want to make.

 

Once again proof of the valuable and endless kick*** info and tech here on the H.A.M.B.

Thank You

 

Jim,
In my book you win!!! Send him the prize!!

Nice work with min. tools and maximum know how!!
Rex

 

Great work. You continue to amaze us !!

 

that is really nice jim, i would like to see some close up shots. please?