1949 Cadillac Roadster Build

[MSTSFab]

This is awesome, Jack! Great work.

Silly noobie question: you've talked about tipping flanges in several times and I can see where you've done this on the panel. I can also see your bead roller set up in the background with what looks like flanging dies on it. Is that what you're using to tip? If so, how?

Thanks!

[Jack 1957]

I have a tipping die and I use it sometimes on the first pass to get a sharper bend line, then switch to the flat dies to finish. The tipping die leaves these shorter flanges a little wavy. The flat dies don't.

[Jack 1957]

I used some heat on the dip at the rear of the fender and some shrinking along the flange on the lower edge. That seemed to get me much closer than I was yesterday. In the process I developed about a 1 square foot area that went low on me. It doesn't oil can so I let it go for now. I went ahead and welded the two halves together figuring that if it got better or worse during welding, either way I have finish work to do after it's welded so I'll deal with it then. As it turned out, the low spot is still there but not very deep. I have some slight bulging around the weld that I think I can bring in with a shrinking disc. I also got the curve along the top edge very slightly mismatched. I can clean that up pretty quickly. The fender fits snug on the buck and lays flat on the stations so the rest is relatively easy.
There will be a 1" angle reinforcement running the full length of the lower flange. I'll bring it into shape with the shrinker and once it's installed, I won't be able to hang this on the buck anymore so I need to get everything dimensionally correct first.

[Steve Hamilton]

Looks good Jack, where is the low spot? Can't see it in the pictures.

[Jack 1957]

Steve, it's kind of hard to see in pictures but it's in the area that's outlined with black marker. It isn't too bad. I have to do some shrinking on a slight bulge just ahead of this low spot that developed during welding. When I bring that bulge down it should relieve the pressure on the adjacent low spot. (That's the theory anyway)

[crystallographic]

Originally Posted by Jack 1957

Steve, it's kind of hard to see in pictures but it's in the area that's outlined with black marker. It isn't too bad. I have to do some shrinking on a slight bulge just ahead of this low spot that developed during welding. When I bring that bulge down it should relieve the pressure on the adjacent low spot. (That's the theory anyway)

Attachment 40196

- none of my bidness - but I'd shrink that with the Wheel - Jack, you have one, right?

[Jack 1957]

The panel is too big to handle alone now that it's welded up. I'll get it straightened out.

[Kerry Pinkerton]

A doughnut dolly will also shrink that as will a shrinking disk.

[Jack 1957]

Good idea, Kerry. I don't have one but I can make one and give it a try. Unless you're talking about the Red Cross Donut Dollies. I haven't seen one of them in decades.

[Oldnek]

Jack.
By the look of the picture, you have a low, that is not following the curve on the upper panel, I would rectify this area before touching the area you have marked, there would be tightness here possibly causing you trouble elsewhere.