G'day from Sydney
 

Hi my name is Larry . My trade background is a bodymaker and most of my working career was working in my fathers small welding shop for 20years.
I have an interest in aircraft, drag racing (especially the fabrication), and I have been into air cooled VW's since obtaining my licence (a long time ago !).
Making sheet metal working machines so I could build my multi-lifetime VW beetle project really sparked an interest in metal shaping and it's a skill I have longed to practice. My English wheel doesn't see as much action as I would like although I intend to improve on that!
I have noticed work from a number of very talented metal shapers appearing on the world wide web these days and that has inspired me wanting to become involved in the scene. I'm sure there is a lot I can learn from your experiences and hopefully I can one day pass something on to some eager young kid 20 years from now (gee, that's if I'm still here then).
Looking forward to the adventure,

Larry Still.

RE larry from Sydney
 

G'day Larry and welcome to the forum.
What are the other machines you've built?.

John.

Hi Larry and welcome!:)

Hi Rick and John,
when I was a kid my Dad was always creating some sort of machine in our home workshop mainly because the funds didn't allow him to buy them. Some of the machines I still use today. Things like the lathe (although now replaced), 2ft hand shear/guillotine, an 8ft /60ton press and even a petrol driven hydraulic yard crane.
When I started building cars and various other components together we fabricated a 36inch throat variable speed(foot operated) bead roller with a selection of different dies/wheels, a hydraulic tube bender, a tube tapering tool(16mm dia.) and set-up the shrinker an stretcher on a foot operated stand.
I'm lucky to have a Dad who grew up in the era when if you needed a special tool you just went and made it.
I still enjoy making tools but with the price of imported tools these days you've got to wander if it's worthwhile any more.

Hi Larry welcome to the forum
Peter

Thanks Peter, I am quite exited about joining.
I saw your Monaro rear quarter at a show which inspired me greatly. No welds, if I am correct?

Hi Larry that is correct one piece, hard work but I enjoyed doing them
Peter

Hello Larry and welcome.

Jere

Welcome Larry.

Im on the Northern Beaches.

Jim