bending panels
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
bending panels
Ax, FatFenders, and others have done extensive modifcations to their bodies, bending sheetmetal as needed to meet compound curves. Others have made their own rust repair panels. When finished it looks as if their work was stamped out at the factory - you can not tell where the factory metal stops and their pieces start.
How do you guys do this? How do you bend sheetmetal to match the curves of a dash?
FatFenders was telling about using a 2X4 block to help form his scoop - do you heat the metal to get the correct roll for a piece 12 inches long? What sort of tools do you have in your shop?
How do you guys do this? How do you bend sheetmetal to match the curves of a dash?
FatFenders was telling about using a 2X4 block to help form his scoop - do you heat the metal to get the correct roll for a piece 12 inches long? What sort of tools do you have in your shop?
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 2
From: Michigan
There are a few books out there that will give you the general technique on how to form your own metal. One that I found particularly useful was "Sheet Metal Handbook" by Ron Fournier. Do a search on Barnes and Noble, or Amazon and you can find it cheap. I know there are other books out there as well. This will give you a basic starting point on how to make your own parts/patches.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,887
Likes: 3,129
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I have a couple of basic body hammers and a couple of dollies. I also made a sheet metal brake out of 3" X 4" angle iron. I also use a piece of rail road rail as an anvil to hammer sheet metal using either the flat bottom or curved top. Basically, I use whatever I have to bend the sheet metal.
Another tool that comes in real handy is a hand held power shears. A torch is nice to have around to persuade the metal to make some of the more intricate shapes that you can't do by just hammering.
Another tool that comes in real handy is a hand held power shears. A torch is nice to have around to persuade the metal to make some of the more intricate shapes that you can't do by just hammering.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I find that I can do quite a bit with an air nibbler and bead roller. After looking at the cost of patch panels, it is possible to recoup the cost of the tools rather quickly. I also use a set of hammers and dollies. Next on my list is a brake (I'm using angle iron at the moment). A wheel would be nice, but I don't have room for something like that.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
What happened to my post?
Anyhow get Ron Covell's video or CD "Beginning metalworking techniques". Best educational $ you can spend. He shows you how to form a number of intricate panels and make repairs with a few basic tools. It's invaluable to see and hear the hammer blows and how quickly the panels are formed. Fournier also has a video on building and using hammerforms, a good way to form precise repair panels. It helps that I'm a jeweler and form metal most every day, but it's not difficult to learn to do once you see the "tricks".
Anyhow get Ron Covell's video or CD "Beginning metalworking techniques". Best educational $ you can spend. He shows you how to form a number of intricate panels and make repairs with a few basic tools. It's invaluable to see and hear the hammer blows and how quickly the panels are formed. Fournier also has a video on building and using hammerforms, a good way to form precise repair panels. It helps that I'm a jeweler and form metal most every day, but it's not difficult to learn to do once you see the "tricks".
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
I have basic hammers and dollies but my most prized ''tool'' is a 36'' piece of railroad track. I creased the center of my hood scoop on it and actually rolled the sides on a tree branch 
and then finished it with a hammer and dolly. Tools are equally important as technique. Thanks for the kind words
and then finished it with a hammer and dolly. Tools are equally important as technique. Thanks for the kind words
