Perhaps start with investing in some metal shaping dvds or books? I've seen some well known guys sell theirs on Amazon. Local colleges probably offer introductory welding cl***es.
long before I ever even bought my welder I bought a couple books on welding, by the time I got it I had at least some knowledge about what to do. of course if I were new to welding today I would get DVD's. same with metal bumping. thought it was simple and bought some tools at the flea market back in the early 80's. of course, the art of cheap tools has changed since then, and now cheap body tools are better cl***ified as useless body tools, so I would advise staying clear of garbage, and buying Martin hammers and dollies. I'm sure there are other quality brands out there, but those are what I use. thought I knew what I was doing with the dent fixing until I bought a couple "videos" and "the guide to metal bumping" which was written in the 40's (?) I think you can get the guide to metal bumping from Eastwood. they have hammers and dollies as well, and all sorts of other cool stuff. books, videos, quality tools and the HAMB. that's all you need... oh..and a welder.
I just google what I want to know about and watch people do it on youtube....I orderd some DVDs and bought some equipment and dove in. Most of it you just have to learn by doing.
In body cl*** we had fenders and doors from the reject pile at the gm ***embly plant. teacher would put various knicks, gouges, dents and creases. Then we spent 4 hours each morning learning to speak to metal. We were allowed hard tools and flames, wet cloth and body files. Only then, were we allowed to use welders.
A good place to start would be with Ron Covell's series of DVDs on just about everything about metalworking and welding. I'd start with "Basic Techniques for Working with Steel". This is a link to a thread about Ron's workshops here on the HAMB: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=394408 Here is his website: http://www.covell.biz/
Check with your local colleges and "community education" sources. A local one in my area is currently offerring a course called AUTO BODY CUTTING AND WELDING with the following description: <TABLE style="PADDING-TOP: 20px" width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD width="5%"><INPUT style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; WIDTH: 20px; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" id=ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_rptCourses_ctl02_imgExpand src="images/SingleMinus.gif" type=image name=ctl00$ContentPlaceHolder1$rptCourses$ctl02$imgExpand></TD><TD width="95%"><!-- </h3> -->Auto Body Cutting and Welding </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2><TABLE cl***=crs><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top></TD><TD vAlign=top>If you have a project car that requires patch panels, rust repair or welding, this cl*** is for you! With a combination of cl***room instruction and hands-on shop experience, youll learn mig welding and plasma cutting techniques and make templates for simple rust patch panels. Well also cover plug welds, lap welds, and **** joints with backing type welds. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Look for a gas welding cl*** at your local community college. There are some good video's out there on a number of subjects, you'll have to shift through them. There is some good stuff on Youtube.com too. Some websites to check out: http://www.handbuilt.net.au/ http://metalshapingzone.com/shop/start http://www.covell.biz/
Look up the little red book called the key to metal bumping. I think you can get it for like 15 bucks and It has lots of good info in it. You can practice on a junk fender or panel. As for welding you might want to take a cl***. Sheet metal welding is b***ically just spot welding and with some practice is fairly simple. Ch***ie, suspension and frame and so forth are a whole different level of welding so that's where the education will come in. For the most part it's only metal...
David Gardner "Mindover" here on the hamb has a good dvd for beginners and uses hand tools instead of machines .
I've rented from these guys, a lot cheaper than buying. http://smartflix.com/store/category/20/Sheetmetal
1. the hamb 2. youtube (search fay butler) 3. books /DVDs 4. tech school 5. hang out at local rod shop 6. find a shop dumb enoughf to hire you (thats what i did ) 7. trial and error 7. never stop asking questions
6 of the best dvd,s going handbuilt by peter tommasini you can get them on ebay look up handbuilt by peter dave gardner very good to
DVD's etc would be a good basic start but I would suggest getting an Oxy set, lots of small odd shaped offcuts of 18-20 guage sheetmetal and practice **** welding them edge to edge, ideally just weld one bit to another, different angles and shapes then get an old thrown out fender,hood,trunk lid and again practice welding on them........welding is just lots of practice & get as many clamps, dollys,hammers etc & tools etc that you afford and then more practice..........my personal view is that if you can Oxy weld properly then Mig and Tig is no where near as daunting........good luck..........andyd
Peter's DVD's are excellent. He has some good stuff on Youtube as well. I'm waiting for his new DVD to come out. Here is his website and a link to his Youtube stuff: www.handbuilt.net.au Metalshaping clip on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEAh91hodPg Making Monaro Quarter panel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIpOhz0uGRM
I would start by considering taking a look at these two metalshaping websites: http://allmetalshaping.com/ http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/index.php I primarily hang out at the allmetalshaping site and have learned enough from these guys that I have built some of my own machines. Here is a link to the page on my website that shows some of the builds. My website is primarily for Model A parts, etc., but I have been very keen on metal shaping lately. Make your self home on my site. http://www.mantiquesresto.com/aboutus/ShopTour/ShopTour1.html There are four colored lines across the top of this page. Select any of the four to go to a particular machines page. There is a lot to be learned from this (H.A.M.B.) as well as the excellant dvd videos from David Gardner and Peter Tom***ini. They are both VERY skilled craftsmen, and anything regarding Fay Butler is to be reviewed carefully.
Sign on to Metalmeet.com for free metalshaping information. Metals, tools procedures, and projects are discussed by amateurs and experts. In addition they have low cost metalmeets where interested people gather to learn and shape metal together. deChrome
As has been previously stated, buy some good hand tools. Books and DVD's are very valuable learning tools. Buy a good O/A torch and learn how to use it. Cars are made of metal and will need to be welded, brased, soldered, leaded, shrunk, heated, bent, straightened. MIG and TIG are nice but are expensive and not really necessary. After all, they are very modern tools to the auto body shop. Night cl***es in welding and metal work at the community college are very valuable. Practice, practice, practice. And some of the local prisons have good vocational training programs to take advantage of if you are in that position. Currently you are communicating with many very talented metal men on this site as well as other sites. Just ask and yee shall receive an answer if you need help. Dave.
METALSHAPING DVD www.metalshapingzone.com http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGElSHzm0q8 I bought his dvd becuse I dont have money for machines.... best really good for people like me... with zero experience. His stuff is amazing.. The Tom***ini video will be on my christmas list. Some links to tool buy hammers. http://www.hammersource.com/General_Metalworking/ http://www.daggertools.com/34.html http://www.bloomertool.com/index.html some used, one from hammersource.com for size reference. The 500g is pretty heavy and the 330g is about as light as I would go for steel... but I just started. Some 'long head' hammers would be real handy inside curves. From left, RxR track and heel dolly 430g(15 ounce) planishing 1000g for the stump or sand bag 330g planishing 500g streatching for flanges 500g streatching low crown
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