What better way to spend the last day of the year than working on the rod. For the really tight compound curve on my Track-T nose, I decided to make a male composite to hammer form the sheet metal on. I don't know if it is the proper next step but I figure it should work well for such a tight compound curve (for this novice anyway). It's all just learning so we'll see what transpires. I'll screw a sheet of metal to the form and start banging away. I'm sure some shrinking and stretching will come into play, I just don't know where but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Happy New Year to everyone and I hope all your projects go as well as planned. Still a little filing and sanding but almost there.
I'm not sure Cuddles- having never done it myself ( yet) - but wouldn't you want the laminated pieces to have a smoother transition from piece to piece? I'd be afraid some of those edges might leave high/low spots as you hammer on it. Just asking.....Pugsy?
Have ya got a hand-held belt sander to knock the worst off, then finish up with a palm sander? The buck looks good, though I hate MDF it's probably better for this purpose than laminated plywood.
I've been told it is a piece of junk. Trash it. Seems a bit harsh but what do I know? I am new at this. But I've gone this far so I'm going to file and sand it anyway. I have to wait until next Autumn's class to do otherwise. This way I can try stuff and by next Autumn, I can just repair all my mistakes or start again but at least I'm doing something until then. Who knows, this just might work.
Yes, harsh, however Jim, I don't wish to see you wasting time when there is a simple method. This project does not call for hammer forming.
First thing to do is to take a flexible shape pattern or paper pattern from your buck. Use that to cut the size of piece required for your panel. Then, simply, get on to your stump and start tuck shrinking the edges. Use the flexible shape pattern to check your progress. It will tell you everything you need to know.
If you want a quick lesson, come down to my house this weekend. I can show you how to do it with hand tools.
Attached pics are what a newb made by taking a pattern from my drill press head and using the pattern to bang out the parts.
No ewheel or planishing hammer used at all.
You could not take a piece of metal and bang it around the buck. It just won't work.
Well Cuddles, we learn from experimenting - and from asking those in the know. I admitted I don't know anything about metal working but I'll have to say Pugsy's class sounds very interesting. I imagine it can be frustrating but think of the reward, the personal satisfaction of getting it right. If I can get my health issues sorted out I'd like to try the class myself.
Hi 123Pugsy: I just got the message. I don't come to the site as often as I should I guess. I'm out in the garage a lot if it is warm enough. - I am just new at tucking and the first compound curve is so tight I'm afraid I'll ruin everything so I guess I'll try and use a scrap piece and see how it goes. Thank you again very much. I'll let you know how (bad) it goes.
I missed the opportunity to come last weekend because I didn't check the site in time and this weekend the driving looks too hazardous but if I may, I'd love to come to your place for a quick tucking lesson on this tight compound curve sometime before next Autumn. Thank you 123Pugsy.
Jim came down today and learned a bit about shaping. There were no power machines or ewheel used on the piece in the pics. Just Jim tapping away. You can see it's ripply, but some more hand planishing and it can be quite good. Kinda cool for his first attempt.
It was GREAT ! What a fantastic day. I learned so much. Now I just have to remember it. Jari is a great teacher so if anybody is just thinking about the Hogtown metal shaping in October (I think it is October), don't just think about it. So much to learn. This is so much fun by hand. English wheels might be time savers but doing it by hand is so rewarding ! Thank you Jari !
Well it was warm enough for a little while today so I managed to bang a little more metal. Still a long way to go but I'm further ahead than I was. And it is starting to look like something. I just have to take my time which should be easy because I think I have another million hammer strokes ahead of me.
