Metal shaping
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| − | Metal shaping is an | + | Metal shaping is an invaluable skill to have in hot rod fabrication. There are many specialized tools used in the forming process. |
Shaping metal is basically as simple as shinking or stretching it to achieve the required shape. | Shaping metal is basically as simple as shinking or stretching it to achieve the required shape. | ||
| − | Shrinking metal can be done using a stump and wooden or plastic mallet. A set of tucking forks can also be used but this process can be slow and tedious. A reciprocating machine such as a Pullmax with thumbnail dies can also be used to shrink metal rapidly. This is not a machine for a novice though. Learning to shrink metal by hand is the best way to | + | Shrinking metal can be done using a stump and wooden or plastic mallet. A set of tucking forks can also be used but this process can be slow and tedious. A reciprocating machine such as a Pullmax with thumbnail dies can also be used to shrink metal rapidly. This is not a machine for a novice though. Learning to shrink metal by hand is said to be the best way to see how it reacts throughout the process. |
| + | In the photo below is a "stump" made from pieces of maple hardwood glued together and then different sized cone shaped cutouts made. | ||
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Stretching metal can be done on a shot bag with a wooden, plastic or steel mallet. The bag is made of leather and filled with a material such as lead shot or sand. Plastic injection molding pellets have been used for this as well. | Stretching metal can be done on a shot bag with a wooden, plastic or steel mallet. The bag is made of leather and filled with a material such as lead shot or sand. Plastic injection molding pellets have been used for this as well. | ||
| − | Metal may also be stretched over a hollow such as the cut out of a stump or even a piece of pipe. | + | Metal may also be stretched over a hollow such as the cut out of a stump or even a piece of pipe. In the photo above, one corner of the stump has a 3" dia hole for stretching metal. |
Shrinking a piece of metal around the edges will result in a bowl like shape. After shrinking the edges to the maximum amount allowed by this process, it then becomes necessary to stretch the center area of the piece to achieve the radius required. | Shrinking a piece of metal around the edges will result in a bowl like shape. After shrinking the edges to the maximum amount allowed by this process, it then becomes necessary to stretch the center area of the piece to achieve the radius required. | ||
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