Anybody do custom metalwork? Started my new career as a custom coach builder

[efhughes3]

I'm so intrigued by people such as Marcel DeLay and sons that can work magic with metal, and I spend hours looking at the Eastwood catalogs and all of the metal working tools.

I got a little shot bag @ HF today and started playing around with some aluminum. I made a "speed blister" out of .030 5052 today, the first component of my custom aluminum car I'm going to now design. Or, I'll put it on the hood of my wife's Jag to spiff it up.

Actually, I'm kind of proud of it, and the fact it actually has a good teardrop shape, as that was my goal. Now, I've got the bug, I want to do more. Does anyone here do any fabrication like custom car or bike parts? Any tips on where to go for more information on technique? I'd actually like to take a class or something to further my knowledge. There is a young guy here in town that used to offer metal working classes, www.charliecooperrestorations.com , I probably need to hit him up to start up again.

What do you think of my first "creation"? My wife asked me if I was going to get an English Wheel, I've made her watch too many car shows on Discovery; I thought that was pretty funny. What custom parts do we need on 911's, a custom oil cooler air scoop or something?

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

That looks just about the right size for a codpiece

[WolfeMacleod]

I used to make armour. Knight in Shining armour style stuff.

You should try using an English Wheel for stuff like that. They're fantastic.

Look up your local SCA chapter and get in touch with the local armourer. They're a wealth of knowledge.

[speeder]

Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is an English Wheel? Does anyone have a picture of one? TIA.

[efhughes3]

Originally posted by speeder
Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is an English Wheel? Does anyone have a picture of one? TIA.

Used for shaping metal such as motorcycle and car fenders....

[GeorgeK]

I have raised that idea quite a few times, but no one has stepped up so far.
Make a nice reproductible (without too much work) aluminum fuel filler lid. That would sell nicely. I know I would be #1 on that list.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

www.chopperweb.net

Bunch of metal-beaters hang around there.

[Tim Hancock]

I do a fair amount of metal work in the construction of airlanes. FWIW, Harbor Freight has a sale right now on its beadrolling tool for $99.00. I have one and it comes with 7 sets of die to create various shapes. The same unit from Eastwood would cost at least five hundred if you include 7 sets of tooling. This tool is made from heavy steel and you can't hurt it (which means made in China is fine for this pc of equipment).

An air planishing tool would probably be more useful for smoothing out that teardrop you made and if you are crafty you can make one yourself with an airhammer/riveter type tool with a flush rivet tool installed.

Kent White is a master at metal working and if you ever get a chance to see one of his seminars, by all means do, you won't be disappointed.

[masraum]

Al hood and/or engine lids would probably sell. A little more practice, and you'd be selling hoodscoops for Ford Thunderbolts.

Very cool, BTW. Like you, I've always been interested and curious about the metal working stuff, but never tried it. I find it amazing how whole car bodies that are perfect and beautiful with amazing curves used to be handmade with a hammer and tools, and yet they only come out with the boring crap they do these days when they have machines, computers and even plastics to work with.

[efhughes3]

Originally posted by masraum
Al hood and/or engine lids would probably sell. A little more practice, and you'd be selling hoodscoops for Ford Thunderbolts.

Very cool, BTW. Like you, I've always been interested and curious about the metal working stuff, but never tried it. I find it amazing how whole car bodies that are perfect and beautiful with amazing curves used to be handmade with a hammer and tools, and yet they only come out with the boring crap they do these days when they have machines, computers and even plastics to work with.

You make an excellent point about the fact we have seemingly not taken advantage of new technolgies. I'm absolutley in love with old Ferraris and their varying styles of bodies built by the various coachworks Enzo used. I also lust for the lines of the Zagato-bodied Astons of old. I'd have a long way to go to make anything like a hood or lid. Maybe the gas filler cover is one to shoot for.

An idea I've come up with is to work on a smaller scale: what if a guy came up with a design idea for a car, and worked on a scale model body? Probably more achievable, and if you screw up a part, you start over. That would certainly excercise your brain and creative ability.

[dad911]

There is money in restoring & reproducing 'antique' tin toys. I knew a machinist that would supplement his income that way, and you can start on a smaller scale.