How to ?

[bluebobtail]

Hi all, What is the best way to get shapes like this into your panels.
Any ideas welcome as i have to make up a new floor pan for a friends discovery we have been welding up.

 

[outofthefire]

I'd get a piece of flat bar a bit shorter and narrower than the shape you want and round the ends off. Put it on a solid bench lay your steel over the top and clamp it down put a clamp over one end of the bar then work your way round it with a hammer and bolster.

 

[langy]

Bead roller.

 

[rikrobson]

make a wooden last the correct shape in either positive or negative and then beat the metal to the correct shape. or buy a new panel.

either way you then need to clean the hole ensuring all the rust is gone and shape the new piece in and weld it up

 

[bluebobtail]

Yeah, this is about the last of the car to do to be honest. I've got a new inner wing. Have done the passenger side but this side is a lot worse.
It was just the shapes i wasnt sure on.
I don't have a bead roller so i think it will be done with either the first or second idea.

Would i get the desired effect buy using a press with a suitably shaped item, or is a hammer best?

 

[outofthefire]

If its a heavy enough press maybe, if you can heat it up it'll stretch easier.

 

[brightspark]

make a wooden last the correct shape in either positive or negative and then beat the metal to the correct shape. or buy a new panel.

either way you then need to clean the hole ensuring all the rust is gone and shape the new piece in and weld it up

as said if your handy with woodwork hollow out a piece of hardwood to shape . then use a ball peen hammer to form the shape cheap and chearfull and a good job

 

[graffian]

I saw some Snag floors that were made in a flypress, the results were really impressive, well they looked like the original parts. The tool was made from 1/4[well whatever the depth of the ribs was] sheet, the 'ribs' had been plasma plasma cut from the sheet and bolted to another bit of steel, the panel was squeezed between the two.

 

[naughtyboy]

where are you as i have bead roller.
used it to make complete floor for mates disco.
have made loads of panels with it.

i am near leeds if you are near enough to come use it.

 

[bluebobtail]

Im near middlesbrough.
Thanks i may take you up on the offer.

 

[naughtyboy]

youre welcome anytime bud

 

[droopsnoot]

Did mine in a vise - open the jaws to about the correct width and place the flat sheet over the gap, then use a piece of solid bar or wood of the correct diameter, and apply a large hammer to suit. With some practice you can make it quite neat.

 

[OzGecko]

Perhaps the methods shown here http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=15516&page=3 would be helpful?

Dominic

 

[bluebobtail]

Thats just what im after. Thanks for that.
I'll have a go next week after i get over a operation on my eye.

Thanks