MTFCA Forum

Progress continues with other quest on this Guy's Baby!

Thought you folks would enjoy seeing how sheetmetal is formed and yes, you folks have the talent, just apply yourselves.
This is the pattern we decided to fit the custom Speedster.
A double lay out and cut using 3/4" Advantech flooring works great.
Cutting as twins and sanding as they are screwed together.[

attachment=1]IMG_1012.jpg[/attachment]

Ready to cut the sheetmetal. More coming!

Now after 2 cups of coffee we are ready to get serious.
A general mock up of what we are producing.
Tin lay out with a one inch lip.
Double check and cut.
Mark ends as there are an A and B side.

And more coming.

Now comes the slapping or forming, this is done with light strikes combing the metal outward. Slow moment equally around is of the greatest importance in metal forming. If you don't, you will over stretch the metal which it is harder to shrink than to stretch.
A good panishing hammer is a must, maple slap hammers are your friend too.
Still more to come.

Now we are getting at the end of the day for me. My hands give out in the cold very quick, but progress is progress. Slapping and removing at times to put into the jaws of a shrinker, if you don't have one you can notch and fold.
Yes, I cheat!
Making a good 90 degree fold over, smoothing comes later.
This will have an outside gas gauge, no sticks required. I use old larger radiator caps/necks for the gas fill area. A lot of reproduction necks/caps are a little to bulky.

Hope You All Enjoy, More to follow as time permits!

Hank in Tin-A-See

That is how I would do it. These things are so nice to see.
Thanks.
Rich

Good work Henry. I use MDF which doesn't have the voids like the chip board that can collapse on you, especially on successive steel parts. I'll be starting my tank for the mercury next month. Since it is inside the car the shape is more to fit the space than aesthetic. It will probably be aluminum.

Andy

I like what you are doing and appreciate your posting.
I use a “bead roller “. A very useful tool. I also have a “shrinker/stretcher”, which is really handy for some of what you are doing. These tools were not very expensive and really speed up the process Next time I do something like this I need to take some pictures.
Again thank you for your posting and keep up the good work!!

Always fun to watch people create parts the "old way". Beating on metal is a fun pastime.

Thanks for the motivation to tackle my fuel tank issues!

Thanks Hank, Love seeing this kind of stuff.

Thanks for posting, I will be watching this post closely, as we probably need to build a custom tank for the kid's speeder, and we have never done this type of work before.

What gauge steel are you using?

Sorry for not mentioning before, 20 gauge. Will also be showing how to seal the inside as it progresses.

Thanks Henry will be looking forward to the progress.

Henry

If you could please make the next post Part 2, then we all would not have to look through this
post to see how well you have progressed.

thank you for showing us your work

dave

Hey, I like your way of thinking! I sure will.

All the Best,

Hank