Some guys asked me how I was making the rad. shell on the speedster.. So here's a little tech using LOW BUCK tools (ex. the welder). First thing I did was to make a pattern. I did two different ways; one paper and one using a fexiable shape pattern. View attachment 1272171 View attachment 1272172 The flex pattern is just several layers of tape, first layer is painters tape folowed by two more layers of fiberglass tape. View attachment 1272173 View attachment 1272174 Here the patterns are on the buck View attachment 1272175 Then I cut out the blanks with about a 1/2in extra all the way around (for trimming and welding) View attachment 1272176 NOW I told you that I was doing this LOW BUCK... It doesn't get any cheaper than this... Baseball bat mallet and a hollowed out stump View attachment 1272177 You start hitting the metal down into the hollow as a fold forms you smack it down flat View attachment 1272178 this is what you get after about ten minutes work,, a roughed out shape View attachment 1272179 Now you have to 'planish' smooth. I used a dolly and slapper made out of a old leaf spring.. Just hitting it lightly until the lumps disappear View attachment 1272180 View attachment 1272181 Here's the two pieces ready for a little trimming View attachment 1272182 Now I placed them on the orginal rad shell and scibed them for a final trim and welded them together. View attachment 1272183 View attachment 1272184
And with a little filing and sanding you get this And you can still see the hammer marks on the inside
Might be little more... the sides are just simple bends.. Just some cut and welding; piece together stuff
Before the filing and sanding, it was starting to look like steel underpants for a fat girl. Seriously though, I envy your talent.
Well no need to envy... Here's some of the finishing steps... Cut out square blanks, bend into a radius, trim to fit ,weld..... Got all trimmed up and got ready for the step that holds the hood. Here's a little tool that you can use to make a step.. Just a pair of old vice grips w/a tab welded at the end.
Reminds me of the 32 or 33 DeSoto shell, also the Indy car; was it maybe the Miller with that style. You make it sound quick. Nice work. Is it difficult to keep the vice grip flanger making a nice straight, long step?
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