Attempting to Hammer out a Front Fairing...

[DesmoBro]

Hey Desmo if you search metal shrinking or tuck shrinking on youtube you might get a better feel for shrinking. Keep at it.

I did this but only watched one video I think I'll watch a few more before I have at it again

 

[Bobbed_out]

Awesome...watching this

 

[DesmoBro]

So messing around with this practice piece I think I have figured out what I don't want to happen when hammering on the fairing

 

[rockcitycafe]

yeah, don't do that... you shouldn't need the vise grips, shrinking is a gradual process, I would probably toss the ballpein too, it's not for shaping... esp with shrinking, striking the edge between two hard faces can stretch the metal once it's against the anvil. it also looks work hardened, where did you get the metal and do you remember the alloy?

 

[DesmoBro]

The metal I'm using is 18 gauge sheet steel I got from a machine shop in town it's not stainless or anything special they found a piece for me in a scrap pile's not sure what it's made from but its magnetic so I can MIG on it....I'm going to a flea market tomorrow hopefully they will have some plastic hammers or wooden ones

 

[bradj]

Once you get a fold work from the point of the V out with a hammer the capsure the tuck youtube tree stump shrinking im sure there is something and plus one on getting the correct hammer

 

[DesmoBro]

I got some wooden hammers havn't messed with them yet tho Quick question....Should I leave the tuck open or close the end off?

 

[bradj]

idk i always leave it open search lazlo sheel metal fab on youtube & jessie james metal church the only problem is they both have real tools but there a good watch lazlo does alot of educational videos

 

[rockcitycafe]

It's definitely more than a one piece job, there's only so much metal will stretch or shrink before it loses most of its plasticity

 

[bradj]

thats Pretty kool

 

[mikewerx]

That's impressive work there...

 

[derant]

If you want to create a shape like a fairing with only handtools, the quickest way is to learn how to hollow.

So first thing is to make some basic tools:
1. Stump - Find a decent section of tree trunk (around 15" in diameter) and cut a 8" diameter cone into it with a depth of 1.5"
2. Hammer - Forget those plastic hammers and the ball peen ball peen hammers...make one. Make one from a baseball bat.

Here is a picture of what you should be making:

As you hammer your metal blank over the hollow you will raise tucks that you can hammer down. This is a quick way to rough out a shape.
The fairing you want to make is a elongated bowl shape, so keep that as a point of reference when hammering.

 

[lingo]

How do you cut the cone into the stump?

 

[derant]

You can use plunge cuts with a circular saw and then chisel it out.

 

[crazypj]

Start with something close to shape, like a wok

Not finished yet but getting closer

 

[bradj]

If you want to create a shape like a fairing with only handtools, the quickest way is to learn how to hollow.

So first thing is to make some basic tools:
1. Stump - Find a decent section of tree trunk (around 15" in diameter) and cut a 8" diameter cone into it with a depth of 1.5"
2. Hammer - Forget those plastic hammers and the ball peen ball peen hammers...make one. Make one from a baseball bat.

Here is a picture of what you should be making:

As you hammer your metal blank over the hollow you will raise tucks that you can hammer down. This is a quick way to rough out a shape.
The fairing you want to make is a elongated bowl shape, so keep that as a point of reference when hammering.

consider that hammer idea stolen

 

[lingo]

You can use plunge cuts with a circular saw and then chisel it out.

between this and the hammer/bat you sir are brilliant. Thank you very much.