Let's see some sheet metal shaping

Has anyone ever used a reciprocating saw (Sawsall) for a light duty Pullmax style machine? I was looking at a demo hammer to use when I saw a recip saw. 18 amp. Looks pretty heavy duty. I work mostly aluminum. Anyone have any ideas on this?

 

Demo hammer

 

Looks like the dem hammer’s shaft is much larger than on a “saws all”. ? Might work.

 

I'd worry that the internals aren't designed to handle that kind of shock load. It'll probably hammer itself to death.

 

It’s Chinese, let it....

 

I can't get a reciprocating saw to last just cutting metal with it. I would imagine if you tried to shape with it, it would only last a few minutes.

 

More practice with the hand formed louvers, these were rotated 15 degrees.

 

Could you use it to "power"the offset wheel that moves the hammer,instead of getting the hammer head directly on it?
Like this.

 

Inspiring

 

I am back on the Lakester rear sheet metal. Done mostly in the rolls, brake, shrinker, and bead machine for offsets. Lots of Dzus buttons to install. Next will be completing the enclosure around the parachute tubes and push bar wheel.

 

John stopped by the shop last night so we could fit up the running board skirts on the Biederman.



I know he will be glad to close off this gaping hole.



After taking some measurements we got the top flange folded over using the magnetic brake. The flange will be bolted to the underside of the cab to support the weight as we will leave about a 1/4" or so gap above the running board to allow for frame flex.







Rivet Nuts installed under the cab...





The rubber edge trim is our attempt to keep the paint from rubbing off, and these are held in place using weatherstrip adhesive.



The dump bed had been painted over when John bought it, but closer inspection showed where some additional layers of paint in the hand painted lettering, "Phone 60" had staved off surface rust in it's previous life and was still visible...

 

That’s got to be THEE nicest dump truck paint job I’ve ever seen

 

Make that one of the nicest trucks I have ever seen. Beautiful, thorough work, all the way !

 

I like your method of letting the filler panel "float" on the running board taking into consideration that there
is probably a small bit of movement between the running board, cab and fender where positive attachment could lead to stress cracking.

 

Probably more than a small amount of movement. This lucky truck probably won't be put back to work again, but when an end dump is on the job, everything is in motion.

Very nice job on the whole truck.

 

Built a kitchen light for a 1955 Airstream. Not hard but fun and shiny

 

I got the back end closed up. I should have taken more pics of the parts before I welded and ground the corners. I used my small tank die in the bead roller, and rolled a 1/2" bead, before cutting the center out. The low side of the center needs to be open for the parachute hook ups, and access for a floor jack. I may cut and bell some holes in the larger flat areas to let trapped air out.

 

Nice work Marty .

 

Louvers might look nice.

 

Could you post a picture showing the nose from front and side.

 

The nose isn't finished yet, I am working my way forward completing the center of the belly pan, then the nose, and the canopy last.

 

I got the nose fully welded and mounted with Dzus buttons. Since I have no real experience doing the final hammering and filing of the welds, I had to have some help. I called my metal shaping coach Chris Kopp for some lessons. He prefers welding with acetylene, but he was able to shape it up and make it look pretty good. It's good to have talented friends, that don't mind sharing their skills and experience. If I could do it again, I would have built the nose first, then designed the rest of the body to match.

 

WOW,, !!!!!

 

Amazing!

 

A local rod shop in my area has a pretty much open door policy for anyone willing to learn, the owner is willing to teach welding, metal working, fabrication, etc.
But twice a year he has am open house called "metal meet" where he teaches restoration basics, it gives you a chance to learn how to use all the tools you see on TV. You are encouraged to bring a "young person" to get them interested and involved in the hobby. This is all free and food and drinks are provided all weekend (donations are accepted) any way, I took my daughter and her boyfriend and they had a great time hammering out some stuff, using a shot bag, E-wheel, shrinker/stretcher, etc.
They had a great time with it
More info here
http://customandclassiccareducationalfoundation.org
Chappy

 

Chappy, thanks for sharing the pictures, I was helping Norm with the Model A fenders and had no idea another HAMBer was in the house! (well...except for OJ!)

 

Robert,
I had no idea either... Us HAMBer's are like a virus...lol... I was watching you guys for awhile... it seemed like there was enough hands in that soup so I didn't offer to help and tried to stay out of the way. The fender looked like it was coming around nicely by the time I had to leave. I talked to Ron a good bit that day, I am about 15 min away from his shop and he invited me back anytime to help and learn. I will be taking him up on his offer as I have a lot to learn...lol
Anyway, its a great thing he is doing there, spreading the craft and trying to get the next generation involved.
Chappy

 

Lucky man ! ^^^^^^^

 

Some time back I showed some fender extensions that I built for my truck, that started out looking like a large pizza pan. This weekend I got them on the truck, now they need a final trim, and complete the mounting.

 

Those look great! How did you make them?