Hi
 

Hi,
My name is Ken Hopperdietzel. I live Wausau, Wi. I have been doing metal work for over 15 years and love it more than anything. I still have a few things to learn and was hoping that some of you with more expereince than me can get me to the next level.

Ken

Ken, welcome and thanks for the introduction. The information here should help you improve your skill. If you have questions ask and someone will try to help you. Thanks for joining us.

Welcome to Allmetalshaping Ken!

Hi Guys
 

I am so interested in metal working its unbelieable. I went to bed last thinking how lucky I was to find a site like this. I still can't believe it. Its like a dream come true. Where I live there only one person besides me that does this type of work but not to the level Dave has. I was wondering if I could post a picture of a part I have have been wanting to make for 10 years? I have mad many metal parts but this one I think will be a challenge. Please let me know. I could use alot of adice on different tools and processes to make the parts I need. I am going to buy Dave's video today which would be a good start.

Ken

Post the picture so we can see what you want to make. Maybe we can help you or at least get you going in the right direction. We like pictures. You can't go wrong with David's DVD.

Welcome to the site Ken!. If you post a photo of the part you want to make you will be given lots of help I am sure. If I can help I will.

David

Hi Guys
 

What forum should I post it on. Nice to here back from you guys.

Thanks Ken

Depends on what kind of panel it is Ken. Motorcycles go in the motorcycle forum, art in art, ect. If you post it in the wrong place we'll move it so don't stress over it too much.

Hi
 

Thanks its a car part. I just bought a new camera to photo this piece but for some reason the computer cannot read the disc. Once I solve the problem the pictures will be on.

Ken

HI
 

Hi guys this is the part I dream about


Attachment 11517

Attachment 11518

Attachment 11519

The Dream part "Wheel Cap"
 

Hi guys,
Just learning how to do the picture thing on this site.Attachment 11520

Attachment 11521

One last pic
 

One last pic


[ATTACH]


[/ATTACH]

Ken, making that panel will teach you a lot about metal shaping. You will probably want to make it in several pieces. Depending on what tools you have will influence how you go about make it. Start by making a flexible shape pattern.

Welcome to the site ken :D

Cheers Peter

Hi
 

Joe,

I thought a good start would be to line the panel with a slip lube and fill it with concrete and fiber glass mesh. Then when when concrete harden I would have a reverse mode of the piece I need. I thought I would shape the sheet metal so it would match the mode for the radius part. Then I would make a metal die that shape the extrusion towards the center of the cap. What do think of that. Is there a better way. I have many metal tools except the wheel, shrinker, expander, slapper.

Ken

There are lots of ways to produce shape in a panel. I have never tried what you suggest so I can't comment of that.

Hi
 

Any Advice on how some of the pros would do this piece. What tools would make it easy. I do not mind spending money on the right tools to do this. Please thoughts and ideas.

Ken

How many do you want to make of this panel? If it is one or two you do one thing if there are a lot you may want to do something else.

I would use an ewheel, shrinker/stretcher, hammer/slapper and dolly, bead roller with tipping wheels, welding equipment to make the panel. Would make a flexible shape pattern of the panel and then make a radius shape without the detail in the top center of the panel. That would be made as a separate piece and welded on. Except for that top detail the panel is pretty straight forward.

Hi
 

Hi Joe,
I would like to make about a 100 hundred of them. I am willing to spend the time to make the patterns however I do not know what a flexible pattern is. Would it be made out of cardboard? Maybe you could tell a list of steps that would make this learning expereince enjoyable. Like what should be the first step, then the second. I already have the metal. Should I beat the metal into a sand bag and get the general shape? should I make some dies? Just want to get off to right step. I realise there are many.

Thanks Ken

Ken, here is a link to show you what a Flexible Shape Pattern is and how to make one. http://www.allmetalshaping.com/showthread.php?t=110

If you are wanting to make 100 you need to develop a production forming set of dies and stamp them. This is very expensive to do and not something that we do often on this site. We mostly deal with making one or two identical item or a left hand and right hand panel.

Making a panel like that will be very time consuming if you do it by hand or very expensive if you have to make a set of die to stamp them. If you stamp them you need a very big expensive press.

What is the panel for, looks like an inner fender panel for something.