Flow forming aluminum

I am playing around with the idea of starting to work aluminum on a custom motorcycle build and eventualy if this works a hot rod project that I have waiting in the wings. I came across this guy in the prosses of finding out methods of working metal and here is what I found
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I am trying to build a gas tank and a cafe tail for a 1971 norton camando 750 that a guy dropped off at my shop to build a "cl***ic cafe racer". My question is could I scale this up to build a tank and tail? My plan is to build the bucks out of foam then make a relief mold (female) out of concrete then make a cutout out of steel plate and clamp the cutout over the aluminum sheet and mold. Them go to town! I have no clue if this will work but I'm bet if it dose this will be of value to my fellow hambers. BTW I know I'm useing this method for a bike but some of the best metal work that I have ever seen has been found here and pounding metal is pounding metal

 

Definitely possible, depends on how much stretching your shape will require,
and if the metal will stretch that far without getting too thin.

 

Use Delrin for the working ends of the tools, machines nice, stands up pretty decent.

 

I like that . hes an engaging old guy..

The principle is really simple, and it obviously works . I think it would be perfect for forming tank halves. I really need to get a rivet gun.

 

Interesting. The hammer tip looks a lot like those replacement heads for plastic headed hammers.

I do think he under-emphasizes how much labor is in making a smooth die.

great link, thanks for sharing

 

So easy anyone can do it.....

Thanks for posting that!
Like he stated in the video,if you're going to make a lot of "repeatable" parts...
I could see investing in the dies and making different parts as a side business.
I went to his site and it's $385 for the set.
https://www.tinmantech.com/html/flow_forming_set.php

Now if I could only convince the Wife........

 

The concrete would have to be super smooth or every little rough spot would show up in your finished piece.

 

Elwood - it will work.

The question will be ( do you really need to make your tank halve's out of one peice ) - or fit smaller bits together & weld em.

Epoxy - fibergl*** shreads in bondo - concrete all will work.

The effort you put into the form & finish of the form or mold will show in your parts.

The ( Tin Man ) is a very sharp guy with a HUGE AMOUNT of experiance - most all of his vids have tons of info & tricks in them.

 

I was thinking to smooth out the concrete I could sprey in a few layers or epoxy resin and afer it set up well I would sand it smooth and add a few layers of wax. My alternative would be to cut up a few of my inner tubes and glue them to the inside of the mold. I am iffy on how they would hold up. If any one has any sugestions I'm game to try anything that works