You make it look so easy !!

[daveb]

I am more of a lurker because of my limited knowledge. So other than posts of nice job I really don’t have much info to give.
I have been playing with this craft for years ,but only in small increments. I have had reasonable success at small patches I created and patches I have bought.
I have gotten some time and decided it was time to learn some more.

I bought an old fender cheap that had a cool shape to it so I decided to try and replicate it. It was during this time I realized how bad I am and how hard this is lol.
The things I learned from this adventure is to take your time. At first start I just started going at it with no direction and working feverishly and just chasing my tail. I need to break this into a lot of smaller pieces. At first I was trying to take big portions of the fender which turned into big piles of scrap. Even towards the end as I felt I learned more I tried a larger piece and failed miserably. I realized I need paper patterns and fsp. I felt the paper gave me information on shrinking and stretching, but the fsp was easier for me to mark up and see where I needed shape from the gauges/ templates I made. That brings me to the gauges/ templates. At first I didn’t want to take the time to make them and at the end I still was being a little lazy ,but realized I can’t get by without them.
It also seems like the last 10% of a piece seems to take forever. I would get nervous about putting it in the wheel at planishing a little more to get it straight so it is a bit wavy in spots. I am realizing that things sometimes don’t have as much shade as I think. I would go way over and fight to bring it back. It was much easier to go slower and sneak up on the shape than go beyond and try to bring it back.
At the end I decided to planish the whole thing which made it look better , but it no longer fit as well. Good thing it’s for practice.
If anyone has some pointers or tips I am open to all criticism!

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[crystallographic]

Originally Posted by daveb

......snip
It also seems like the last 10% of a piece seems to take forever.

I would get nervous about putting it in the wheel at planishing a little more to get it straight so it is a bit wavy in spots. I am realizing that things sometimes don’t have as much shade as I think. I would go way over and fight to bring it back. It was much easier to go slower and sneak up on the shape than go beyond and try to bring it back.

Regarding the last 10% taking so much time -

I was finishing up some vintage 1940's aircraft soft .032" aluminum wheelpants with wired edges, yesterday.
(This has been a long-process nit-pick delicate restoration job.)
My veteran helper commented on how much time it takes at the end of a long job to make the last little details just right....

I replied, using the old aircraft builder/restorer addage: "90% done and 90% to go."

[blue62]

Originally Posted by crystallographic

Regarding the last 10% taking so much time -

I was finishing up some vintage 1940's aircraft soft .032" aluminum wheelpants with wired edges, yesterday.
(This has been a long-process nit-pick delicate restoration job.)
My veteran helper commented on how much time it takes at the end of a long job to make the last little details just right....

I replied, using the old aircraft builder/restorer addage: "90% done and 90% to go."

Kent,
Great one I will remember that one and use it.
I can most times do the first 80%-85% of most shapes I try.
It is that last 10%-15% that I struggle with.

[Jaroslav]

Yes, the last 10% is usually drama.
As long as you do something for effect, it goes well, but something for dimension is a different situation.
But the fender looks good. Smooth out a bit in EW.

[daveb]

Originally Posted by Jaroslav

Yes, the last 10% is usually drama.
As long as you do something for effect, it goes well, but something for dimension is a different situation.
But the fender looks good. Smooth out a bit in EW.

All part of learning for me. I would get it to fit pretty well , but it would have a wave in it and I was nervous to put it in the wheel and loose the shape.
On the last piece I decided to wheel it and it actually made the panel lay down better and got it smoother. So as I move forwards I will definitely try not to be so hesitant.

[Scoob]

Attending a metal meet did wonders for me in learning just how much goes into that last 10% - especially if you're all hosed up in the first 90%.