Hello All,
My name is Adam and I am an engineer from Gilbert Arizona. I just stumbled across this website as I was doing a search for hammer forming aluminum. I am glad I did, because this forum looks to be full of invaluable information.
About my background.
I have been doing metal fabrication since I took my first machine shop class in high school back in 1996. I couldn't get into auto shop as a freshman, so I decided to try working with metal, and from the first time I struck an arc, I was hooked.
I have done various projects throughout the years; with projects becoming more complexity as I grew in experience.
In 2005 I picked up my first TIG welder after having "on the job" training welding sanitary stainless tube as an industrial fabricator.
In 2006 I picked up a small 10X48 atlas metal lathe since I could turn at work but not at home.
In 2007 I picked up a 1956 Bridgeport series I J-head mill which allowed me to be able to do much more and with greater precision.
In 2009 all the fun stopped, my wife and I decided I should go back to school. I really couldn't live without doing some fabrication; so I decided to get my fix through other peoples projects. I would advertise on Craigslist and pick up small jobs I could do in my garage at home. This really helped to keep me going while I was in school, it was actually therapeutic. I graduated in 2013 from the highly prestigious
ASU fulton college of engineering with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.
I worked for a short time in the field of high purity plastics and although I loved the company and people I worked with, I wanted more.
Near the end of 2013 I went back to a company I had done some work for in the past. I am now their director of engineering.
I have since picked up two metal cutting band saws, an ESAB PCM875 plasma cutter, a 10' metal brake, a 48" Bertsch gap shear and a bunch of supporting equipment.
Only within the last few months have i been able to start doing my own projects again.
I feel I have a pretty strong foundation in metalwork as far general fabrication and machinist work is concerned.
For years, I have watched with awe and jealousy as metal shapers have created true works of art. I just bought an Eastwood deep throat shrinker stretcher and I am finally ready to start learning an almost secret craft.
My goal is to eventually be able to form a complete aluminum car body. That would be my dream.
Thanks,
Adam