2015 Metalshaping class at the MP&C Shop

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Last week we hosted a metal shaping class at the shop with Peter Tommasini sharing some of his methods. For those who don't know him, Peter is a very accomplished and well respected coach builder from Australia. We were fortunate enough to be added to his class schedule this year, and looks like he will be back next year as well. What follows will be a brief overview of what went on at the four day class at the shop (including preparations) , and show what is possible with a bit of effort.


Picked up some stump blanks to have some extra stations for the metalshaping class...





Debarking with a draw knife...





Kyle took over as I used the chain saw to cut some to length...





This one is about all the JD bucket could stand..











....and some Talstar to take care of any remaining ant domiciles.

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Getting ready for the metal shaping class at the shop.

We made a pedestal for some home-made stake anvils using a couple 45 lb dumbbells and some pipe/tubing, tonight made the round-head anvil and another with a holder for press brake dies....














.....and stopped by the upholstery shop this morning to get another shot bag stitched up...

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A few of the projects showed up the night before the class, more to come....














One of the attendees brought a CP hammer for us to use...








I'm going to have to get Peter here more often, forces me to clean up the place!

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Here are some of the highlights of the class from Day 1....

Peter shows how to prepare a stump for shrinking....














Discussing weld location in panel forming....








Using magnets to hold a paper pattern for layout....

















Wheeling, tuck shrinking and annealing aluminum sheet...














Capturing the tuck and shrinking on aluminum sheet


https://youtu.be/qBG4XNzDKs8




















Blocking and wheeling our 19 gauge steel fender panel...








Forming the rear corner for a Model A..














Blocking on the sand bags and shrinking on the stump....














Wheeling....

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Day 2:
The start of a scooter fender...





Test fit of a fender panel...





Copper work, trash can taking shape...




















Paper pattern on a roadster quarter panel....











Using the blocking hammer to pre-stretch





Making a pattern for the dies




















Making a pattern of luan board for a divider offset in trimming the top edge..





What happens when a metal shaper gets around wood products...








Trimming and filing up the top edge....





On to the Lennox....

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Day 3:


Wiring top edge of the copper trash can..























Roadster quarter, making dies for the upper bead detail....














Sharpening the crease








A bit of shrinking....





Test fit...








Marking for trimming the wheel opening...








Inside radius backstop








Scooter fender...





Trimming...











Prepping for Sport Coupe door skin removal











We took a short break for a Maryland treat...








of course, using only the correct utensils....








Blocking the top section of the roadster quarter.....

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Final day of the class.


Wheeling door skin for a sport coupe:











Annealing copper wire to use as rivets:














Cover plate for military vehicle:





Paper pattern











Tuck shrinking on post dolly








Forming upper quarter reverse














Wheel opening bead detail added











Tipping flange with vise grips with jaws that have been smoothed...





Stretching





























Here's a video of Peter demonstrating lead loading aluminum:


https://youtu.be/MSfK9XhnLeM[/URL]


Loading stumps for the journey to their new home..











This class has been a blast! Peter has a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion for the craft, having been trained by old world masters from England. If you ever have the opportunity to attend one of his classes, do so. Anxiously looking forward to next year!

[MP&C]

Finishing up the scooter fender..,



Marked for trimming...







Tipping wheel to set the side flange....







Profile comparison, front to rear...





.....and side to side...





about ready for shipping to AZ.....

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Well time to finish up Randy's scooter fender(s). The original (rear) had been loose at some point as the fender mounting holes were nice and elongated from flopping around. So I'll get them filled in and Randy will need to match drill them to the frame..





Use the right tools for the job :headscrat



After marking, when cutting out such a small piece I like to leave a "handle" until the very end..





....gives you something to hold onto while fine tuning the fit



Nice and snug....



Tacking in the filler piece...











Next was to trim a nice radius on the front and back ends of the new front fender....





Last on the list, the forming process with the old fender left some "pie crust" edging, as seen here and in an original photo...





So we needed a special tool in order to duplicate this feature...





Spacing all marked out....



Finished edge...







All ready for delivery!