I wanna learn to do sheet metal work

I been reading a few threads around here lately and seeing alot of guys using Shrinkers/Stretchers, Bead Rollers, and English Wheels......... Ive never had much experience in doing this sort of stuff and really dont know how to get it except with a little hands on........ But at that i dont even know anyone who could explain to me the basics to go about using these tools, nor would i even know if im usng them correctly


I really would like to learn, but just dont really have an idea where to start can anyone give me some direction

 

http://www.metalmeet.com/

 

FiddyFour is right, check out metalmeet, then start beating on some metal.

 

Once you've signed up at Metalmeet, get hold of David Gardiner's DVD at www.metalshapingzone.com - one of the best on the subject and he shows everything you need to know with using all hand tools - no need for all the big expensive equipment to begin with.
Barry

 

If you have the time, there will be a week long get together in Illinois in October; this would be a great place to learn and see how this stuff works, for cheap.

www.Metalmeet.com

 

I would suggest picking up Ron Fournier's Metal Fabricators Handbook. It is a very good start for $20.

Also, Ron Covell's DVDs are very good. I have "Shaping Aluminum with Hand Tools" and "English Wheel Techniques". There is a ton of good information in both...sometimes it is much more helpful to actually see someone doing something than to try to piece it together from pictures in a book or on the web.

 

You might check out some local community college, our area has GCC that has a Street Rod metal work and refinishing cl***....which I will be starting next week...

 

Oh, you'll learn real quickly if you aren't using them right -hahaha

If you can swing the trip, the International Metalmeet in Oblong, IL would be a GREAT place to start.

If you have the toys (or the budget to get them), great. If not, and, well, even if you do, basic hand tools will teach you how the metal moves and that is the big lesson for a beginner.

The bead roller is a dead basic tool. You'll likely figure it out really quick. The shrinker and stretcher are pretty simple too. Learning to control the results is the hardest part of using them.

The e-wheel can be a rather daunting tool and it takes some time and practice. Learning to steer is the hardest part of learning the basics of the wheel - it's kind of like backing up with a trailer. Next step is to work on your tracking patterns. As long as you make sure not to stick dirty, rusty, or sharp edged metal between the wheels, you won't hurt the machine.

There are a lot of books on the subject. Fournier's books (Sheetmetal Handbook and The Metal Fabricator's Handbook) have some good information in them. Tim Remus' Advanced and Ultimate Sheetmetal books are good, as long as you're not just looking at the pictures.

However, I would suggest Frank Sargent's Key to Metal Bumping as a good place to start. The book deals with dent repair, but it has a lot of information about moving metal and what to expect. Besides, once you beat lumps into a panel, a lot of what you are doing is basically dent repair - smoothing out the lumps.

For videos, David Gadiner's DVD has aready been mentioned. Next would be Metalshaping 101 by Kerry Pinkerton of Imperial Wheeling Machines (http://www.imperialwheelingmachines.com). I don't see the DVD advertised there, but his contact info is there. He is also a HAMB member.

John Kelly has a metalshaping DVD or two available as well. His Tuck Shrinking video is great.

Covell's videos contain some good information, but I didn't see anyone mention John Glover's videos. John has some seriously good information in his DVDs as well. Some of the Kent White videos (the one on reverse curves, the one on fender arches and Shrinking Magic) contain very useful information as well. Covell, Glover and White's DVDs are available for rental from http://www.smartflix,com for a lot less than it would cost to buy them. If nothing else, it is a preview to help you decide which videos to buy.

I could go on and on, but, I won't.

Oh, check out http://www.AllMetalShaping.com too!

Tim D.

 

My buddy that I share a garage with and I were in the same place you describe. we started with a book called METAL BUMPING. Neither of us are masters but we have come a long way by reading and doing. Here is the link to the book

http://www.amazon.com/Bumping-Instr...5274563?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250262555&sr=1-1

 

Dang, I wish I was closer to that.

 

Experience is a great teacher! It won't be as fast as having a PRO teach you, but it will be lessons you'll not forget!

 

Tim wrote: "John Kelly has a metalshaping DVD or two available as well. His Tuck Shrinking video is great."

Thanks for the kind words Tim!

Smith32, A lot my instructional video stuff is available free on youtube. See my signature line.

John www.ghiaspecialties.com

 

and John, you were suprised when your customers refused to return those low crown discs?

you sir, are a gent.

 

Be careful John, people are finding out about you.

Larry

 

I remember my first day in Auto Body vocational school in Cincinnati. Mr. Bob Bricka, our instructor and old school body man had never taught before so he did what he knew how to do. He gave us a demonstration. He took one of the many good fenders that were donated for the cause, and a BFH as it came to be known and put a big ol dent in the side. Without saying much, he metalworked that fender back perfectly straight in about 45 minutes. This you will see once you start watching all those videos. We were then instructed to pair up, get a fender of our own and duplicate the process. It turns out ALL of us teenage guys were sucessful with the big ol dent part. But after about three days my partner and I had finally fixed it where it could be graded as a B. My point is, just start doing it and you will get very satisfactory results if you keep at it. Don't beat yourself up that you are not as fast. Also, you do not need to have all the tools either. Improvise and practice on stuff you dont care about as much. And as so many HAMB'ers of excellent skills show us, sometimes you just have to cut it out and start over again.
Mr. Bricka if your out there, I appreciate everything you taught me!

 

Do a search on youtube. You can learn alot by watching others.

 

Also,www. metalshapers.org Good luck with your sheet metal work!

 

is wyo-tech worth the money??? does anybody know?????

 

I agree in what HemiRambler said about schooling yourself...but..it sure helps to have the net to see how some basic stuff is made.

Start with SMALL projects first. If you tackle too much you will maybe lose interest. If you keep getting better/quicker with simple things, then it becomes addictive. If you get really hooked, you will enjoy competing with YOURSELF You will want to get more elaborate with each attempt.

It's the best part of hotrodding fabrication IMO

You don't need a ton of tools right off. It sort of depends on what you are making. Lots of stuff can be made with a hammer,a tree stump or big block of wood, snips, and a welder/shrinker/stretcher/4.5 angle grinder would be helpful.

 

I would buy covell's video, shaping with hand tools, then get an eastwood catalog. they have good hand tools, for a good price. to get started you might want a mallet, a dolly and hammer, and a sandbag. also find a block of hard wood like oak, or walnut. then have some fun.

 

Metalmeet.com They were at a show this weekend.Some guys here are members .I learned a little bit. Now Im at home Wishing I learned more.

 

MetalMeet rules. Search YouTube for metal shaping videos. Start with cheap stuff, s****, cheap tools (unless you've got the money to invest in the nice stuff) and start playing with it. I've got some metal shaping tools that are either homemade, or the cheap ones that have been modified for better service.

 

I have a friend who is trying to start a shop. Right now he works out of the back of a vw shop. He has his little corner and does his stuff. I went by the other day just to say hi and he asked me to help him because he could not hold the dolly on the outside of a fenderwell and hit the metal with a torch and swing a hammer in order to straighten out the metal where he put on a new rear quarter panel. He liked the help and next thing I knew I was making a patch panel for the floor under the back seat of a '55 chevy hardtop. The next day he let me make some inner rocker panels for the same car. I have never been fortunate enough to use these tools before and I had a great time.

My suggestion is find a friend who has knowledge and patience who is looking for some help, or who desnt mind teaching you a bit. That's what I did. I am a bit slower than him, but its less work for him to have to do and he gets the job done faster without having to pay. And I gain knowledge.

 

CarcrazyJohn, you were here? (at the emmr) we will be here til? on Sunday? What did you not learn? All you really have to do is ask..... ask three times you would probably get 3 different answers as different people do this different ways, What way fits you will be your way! tt (the quiet one...)<<<grin>>>>

 

Like Terry said, if someone tells you this is the way to do something, think that it is a way to do something. Everyone has a different way, and what is interesting, they might all be the right way.

</grin>

 

An alternative to this is check technical schools that teach aircraft sheet metal courses.

 

Great Information Here!

 

man i could sit and watch somebody bump metal for weeks that is really amazing the amount of creativity that is involved. you have the knack or you don't. its almost magical.

 

Hey,

I don't know, Ive seen complete geeks, computer geeks who've never broken a sweat or gotten dirty for a livin', produce some fantastic results!
Sucess is ninety percent desire, but like anything in life worth a pinch of ****, ya gotta want it!

S****ey Devils C.C.
"Spending A Nation Into Generational Debt Is Not An Act Of Comp***ion!

 

I recently did the fenders on my Divco. I thought they came out perfect ultill I shot the first coat of primer and blocked them. My goal was to build a perfect set of fenders like the magazine bare metal cars... well I couldnt. The shops that build that stuff are full of expensive equipment and years of talent. I had to skim 1/8" filler before I could get a decent smooth finish. Practice and dont be disapointed with your first result. I have been a hobby level bodyman for years and I still have so much to learn.