Metal bumping 101B: a front frender. Think it's toast?

[Zeke]

Before we start, I just want to say what a fine job Fernando is doing with the "101" series of body prep.

Well, let's go a little further back in the shop and see what ol' Zeke has.

Think it's toast? Think again.



OK, we need to remove the ring left after using a cutter to slice out the damaged bucket.



Now that the pressure is relieved, let's see what will just walk out with some soft shoes.



Now the trick to metal work is to remove dents/damage in the reverse in which it occured. So. we'll start bumping this towards the front. Remember, this metal is not really bent. Most of it will pop right into it's original configuration if the process is done right. I'll use a blanket and a towel to release some tension by knocking the fender up towards how it came down, and from the rear to the front (reverse of how it happened).

[Zeke]

Now we need to use the hammer and dolly to re-establish the top circle shape.



We are still relieving pressure, not trying to smooth anything. Just letting it move the way it wants. But, I made a tool to help with the inside of the top circle.



Let's see where we are with respect to a good fender.



OK, we'll make some slits in the return for the headlight bucket and weld them later.



I think we're ready for a bucket which will hold this fender in the orginal shape.



Now, you know I can take it from here. Here's a link to the rest of the process to finish this fender.

[Acox914]

zeke, you are a talented man.
thanks for sharing your bodywork knowledge
when i saw that fender at ron's, i thought it was toast....


Aaron

[village idiot]

Very nice work Zeke!! Can't wait to see it finished

[village idiot]

I especially like the tool you have to check the curvature of the top of the fender, very smart

[Chuck Moreland]

Milt, your skills and determination are awesome.

I love that contour gauge. Looks like something my grandfather would have had in his shop. Some of those old tools are the best.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Chuck Moreland
Milt, your skills and determination are awesome.

I love that contour gauge. Looks like something my grandfather would have had in his shop. Some of those old tools are the best.

I've had that gauge for 38 years and it might have once been in your grandfather's shop. It wasn't new when I found it. Now where I found I'll never be able to remember. I've always stopped at garage sales.

BTW, I forgot to mention that I used the hammer and dolly along the two bends the formed the flat top. Again, working from the back to the front in keeping with the "reverse" theory. I didn't want you guys to think this thing just all of a sudden popped into shape. All in all, it took 2 hours to rough it out and I got so involved that I forgot the pick up the camera.