retired millwright ready to learn new tricks

[Randy DT38K]

Hello, My name is Randy Phillippe and I live in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Most of my life, I've done things the hard way (by hand) but am now looking to expand my shop to include an english wheel, and possibly some other trick items for metal finishing.
I already have several lathes, milling machines, a tube bender and roller unit,
6' dries pan brake, 4' shear, etc...
I've seen some of the work that can be done by trained artists and am amazed.
I look forward to joining this group and learning this art.
Thanks, Randy

[Peter Tommasini]

Welcome to the site, Randy. I understand we are all looking for an easier way of shaping metal particularly as it is hard on the body. However doing it by hand is a good basis for understanding how the metal works. Once you have mastered this you can go on to using machinery to speed up the process and save wear and tear on your body. However your experience with your handtools will always be useful.
Cheers Peter

[gootee08]

Welcome Randy, You have tapped a wealth of knowledge here, also sounds like you have a wealth of knowledge to share.

[HEATNBEAT]

Welcome to Allmetalshaping Randy!

[Michael]

I thought millwreights could do anything.
at least that is what they expected of me. Check out the archives their is a lot of great info on them. then ask anything ,you will get what you need here.

[Randy DT38K]

I wanted to thank you guys for welcoming me to be a part of the family.
We had a nice drive out to Nebraska and then up to Minneapolis to pick up some bike parts, 1208 miles in less than 48 hours, still recovering.
Yes millwrights are sometimes expected to fix anything, sometimes you have to wonder how it lasted that long.
I would have to say that the most challenging sheet metal issue in my past was shrinking stretched panels (oil canning) on a car body.
I learned this task from some old body shop guys back in the early 70's at a local GM dealership using a small tip torch, small crowned body hammer, and a wet shop rag soaked in a bucket of water.
I've built a few customs and repaired a few cars that were pretty screwed up.
Once restored a 60 caddy when I lived in Texas that had been in a fire and the big fin 1/4 panels were really warped.
Less than a year after completion, the dirty little arson set another fire and the car and building were completely destroyed.
I bought a salvage 2009 Toyota camry about a year ago and found out the hard way that these cars have high strength low alloy steel in the door panels and this process does not work.
I had to bite the bullet and bought a used shell for 750.00 and pitched the cracked one in the scrap pile.
I'll do some searching when things slow down and stay in touch.
When I figure out how to post pictures, I'll send some to show you why my body hurts so much.
Thanks again, Randy