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View Full Version : Bodywork dollies are closer than you think..



MP&C
05-04-2020, 09:18 AM
So yeah, we work on just about anything. File this one away under "everything's a tool". You need to be able to look at the problem, and figure out what you have readily available as a solution (especially when working weekends)

Vince is still milking the media blast job..

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/y167/rmccartney/IMG_7028.JPG

Another of the lids had been used and abused with a hammer over it's life, the center was concaved inward, the outer rim had several flat spots. So while Vince was busy, I came up with a dent removal tool to help straighten out the next lid.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/y167/rmccartney/IMG_7033.JPG

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/y167/rmccartney/IMG_7031.JPG

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/y167/rmccartney/IMG_7032.JPG

The half hitch ball was used as a punch straight down into the lid to add a consistent shape back to the outer ring. Some hammer and dolly work straightened the center concave, giving it a slight crown. A deep dent was heated to make it more pliable, the punch pushed to the bottom and used as fulcrum to push the dent outward (heated spot)

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/y167/rmccartney/IMG_7036.JPG

Then our "punch" was clamped in the vise to use as a post dolly. The lid was positioned where any low spots were placed against the "dolly" and hammering around the perimeter of the dent raised it outwards..

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/y167/rmccartney/IMG_7039.JPG

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/y167/rmccartney/IMG_7040.JPG

Some fine tuning left, but this is much better than where we started:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80YGom51gc0


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NickP
05-04-2020, 02:11 PM
Crafty!

Belair-o
05-05-2020, 05:41 AM
Thanks Robert!
Love it - everything is a tool!
Regards, Doug

Custer55
05-05-2020, 06:39 AM
Great Idea, thanks for posting Robert. It must have been fun cutting the ball in half though. You must have a good saw to make that nice of a cut!!

WagonCrazy
05-05-2020, 06:47 AM
Fantastic use of a "$5 swapmeet find" towing ball!
What's that old saying...Necessity is the mother of invention...