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Shot bag question for metal masters

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Triggerman, Nov 26, 2011.

  1. Triggerman
    Joined: Nov 18, 2006
    Posts: 578

    Triggerman
    Member
    from NorCal

    I's like to construct a shot bag to form compound curves in small parts. I can't afford shrinker/stretchers, english wheels, planishing hammers, et al. Sooo, I thought I could get started with a shot bag. I have a few questions;

    1-For those metal formers that already have such things, how much shot should I use (weight).

    2-Do you prefer lead shot or steel shot?

    3-I have been told to use number 7 1/2 or 8 shot, do you agree?

    I plan to use a buddy's walking foot sewing machine to make the leather bag. All helpful comments are greatly appreciated.
     
  2. H.G. Wells
    Joined: Mar 11, 2006
    Posts: 386

    H.G. Wells
    Member

    I use a leather purse with a really stout zipper. Not so full that the seams burst, but not a lot of movement either.
     
  3. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 23,263

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  4. 50merckid
    Joined: Apr 4, 2011
    Posts: 9

    50merckid
    Member


  5. dana barlow
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 5,115

    dana barlow
    Member
    from Miami Fla.
    1. Y-blocks

    Sand will work.
     
  6. 1/2done
    Joined: Oct 29, 2006
    Posts: 628

    1/2done
    Member
    from Ohio

    I have Black Beauty in mine, about 3/4 full. Keep in mind lead shot creates lead dust after you beat on it a while.
     
  7. Big Bad Dad
    Joined: Mar 27, 2009
    Posts: 317

    Big Bad Dad
    Member

    Where do you buy the lead or steel shot?
     
  8. the metalsurgeon
    Joined: Apr 19, 2009
    Posts: 1,237

    the metalsurgeon
    Member
    from Denver

  9. 23crate
    Joined: Oct 6, 2010
    Posts: 171

    23crate
    Member
    from nz

    shot bags i have used are around 12-15 inches in diameter and around 3 inches thick , youre about ok with shot sizing and around 3/4 full is good the bag should be firm not saggy .. i prefer lead - it just seems a little more solid i cant explain that, maybe although softer, lead is more dense dunno leather needs to be a minimum of 1/8th thick - helps spread the weight more evenly ( hammer to metal to bag blows)


    Also what works is a block of hardwood .. (you can burn with a oxy acety torch or blowtorch to create various hollow sizes which in turn hardens the work area to retain a longer life - if you have do more than 1 a particular shape) , you can use a ballpein hammer i have 3 different sizes using the rounded end to shape many curves ..

    a large round ball bearing i have one around 4inches in diameter is a handy thing to have - if you can find one , easy to hammer flat sheet over to a neat curve if you take a little time ... and is surprisingly similar curve to alot of differrent areas to many older cars

    either get at least one good planishing hammer really helps for good dressing up / finishing
    i could go on .... (phew)
     
  10. Triggerman
    Joined: Nov 18, 2006
    Posts: 578

    Triggerman
    Member
    from NorCal

    Fellas, I have been away from the HAMB for the last day. Thank you very much for all your informative replies. I might have enough info to build something now.

    Big Bad Dad, you can buy lead or steel shot from shotgun reloading suppliers. As you are on the other side of the country I could not discern what stores you have. If you have any hunting buddies, ask them.

    23crate, your advice was particularly descriptive. Thank you.

    50merckid, that is a really cool store. I'm gonna have to bookmark it.
     
  11. Very helpful info. My wife made me a couple from leftovers from some leather upholstery work. Have one filled with #8 shot, and one with sand. I agree that the shot seems to spread the force out better for me. I don't get as bad a "bag of walnuts" look with the shot.
     
  12. RidgeRunner
    Joined: Feb 9, 2007
    Posts: 906

    RidgeRunner
    Member
    from Western MA

    #8 lead or #8 steel?

    Ed
     
  13. pool
    Joined: Jun 24, 2005
    Posts: 318

    pool
    Member

    I bought my lead shot at a local gun shop, can't recall the price but think it was by the pound. I once used a canvas money bag from the bank I worked at. They got new ones from time to time and it worked great.
     
  14. retroridesbyrich
    Joined: Dec 2, 2004
    Posts: 1,872

    retroridesbyrich
    Member
    from Central NC

    Without everything else, you're not going to get too far with just a shot bag. :)
     
  15. Triggerman
    Joined: Nov 18, 2006
    Posts: 578

    Triggerman
    Member
    from NorCal

    Well you're right retro, but a guy's gotta start somewhere. Like most of us 99 percenters, money is tight and I can't afford new tools. I'm just barely makin' it paying the bills so I thought I might start small.

    exwestracer, I will repeat the question RigdeRunner posted, lead or steel shot?
     
  16. falconsprint63
    Joined: May 17, 2007
    Posts: 2,358

    falconsprint63
    Member
    from Mayberry

    I use sand too. $2.50 a bag at your local big box home improvement center.
     
  17. MP&C
    Joined: Jan 11, 2008
    Posts: 2,477

    MP&C
    Member

    Keep in mind sand creates silica dust, so pick your poison.

    The last two bags I had made were made from kevlar bus seat material. One is about 16" diameter, the other I had made about 5" diameter to be able to use as a dolly for door skins or otherwise. I use #8 lead shot, got it from a local gun shop. My old one was made out of an old purse, and used a zipper to put the shot in. The zipper leaks. The two new ones were made up, filled up, and sewed closed.

    Here's the larger of the two new ones....


    [​IMG]
     
  18. BOWTIE BROWN
    Joined: Mar 30, 2010
    Posts: 3,252

    BOWTIE BROWN
    Member

    Iam going for it MP&C
    "AND THE BOWTIE ROLLS ON"
     
  19. Here in calif lead shot was outlawed but you can still locate nos bags not cheap
     
  20. Brad54
    Joined: Apr 15, 2004
    Posts: 6,021

    Brad54
    Member
    from Atl Ga

    Steel shot can eventually rust from moisture in the air, unless you're using it every day to keep things working and shiny inside.

    I've got a bag filled with sand that I've used from time-to-time over the years--very handy to have, even if you don't have all the other tools and equipment some people claim you'll need.

    If you use the bag infrequently, and it's filled with steel, you could end up with a bag full of rusted clumps.

    -Brad
     
  21. cretin
    Joined: Oct 10, 2006
    Posts: 3,066

    cretin
    Member

    What? I just recently got lead shot from IMS.
     
  22. toolman1967
    Joined: Mar 13, 2008
    Posts: 441

    toolman1967
    Member

    You can also use some of the blasting media if you do not want to use sand. I use sand and other than having to "fluff" the bag every now and then it works fine. Stumps are cheap and easy to build and Rolls and Ferrari used to use stumps back in the day. Cheap homemade body shaping tools are easily built. I have a dozen slap hammers made out of a set of leaf springs.
     
  23. 23crate
    Joined: Oct 6, 2010
    Posts: 171

    23crate
    Member
    from nz

    .Fillers lead although as bit toxic is possibly better, smoother finish ,, steel can be a little hard , and will shorten the life of your bag ,,, sand is pretty good , but maybe fill your bag a bit fuller than you might with lead , or just use for aluminum sheet ..

    Toolman1967 yep homemade tools are great -- i have 2 dollies made from one bigger one with the help of a few hi -tensile bolts and a mig.. result -> great choose your own shapes to make them out of .. my favorite gets used on every thing, but was designed with a 1/2 half round channel in it for reshping late 30's for gaurd lips
    also reshaped a planishing hammer to make long narrow channels ..

    yep then fun of it all
     
  24. MarkL
    Joined: May 13, 2007
    Posts: 126

    MarkL
    Member
    from Tacoma WA

  25. 327-365hp
    Joined: Feb 5, 2006
    Posts: 5,429

    327-365hp
    Member
    from Mass

    Last edited: Nov 30, 2011
  26. pimpin paint
    Joined: May 31, 2005
    Posts: 4,937

    pimpin paint
    Member
    from so cal

    hey,

    I've used a piece of 2'' thick urethane foam pad for a shot bag for small shaping projects.

    Also, a bowling ball held in the middle of your shot bag makes a good ''poormans'' panelhead for stretching large crowns.

    " Life ain't no Disney movie "
     
  27. retroridesbyrich
    Joined: Dec 2, 2004
    Posts: 1,872

    retroridesbyrich
    Member
    from Central NC

    I didn't mean it in a negative way. :)
     
  28. 327-365hp
    Joined: Feb 5, 2006
    Posts: 5,429

    327-365hp
    Member
    from Mass

  29. Sorry, missed that. Lead shot. I have a friend who pours all his own shot, and he gave me enough to fill the bag.

    BTW, I found #8 lead in several online stores, and none said anything about not shipping it to CA.... just FYI.
     
  30. ablebob
    Joined: Jul 29, 2009
    Posts: 76

    ablebob
    Member

    Every tool ever invented started out as "homemade". Building tools helps develop your skills.

    Everytime you see a odd hammer at a flea market, garage sale. farm auction, etc buy it if its cheap. You can always weld or grind on it till it does what you want it to do.

    The best tool you have is between your ears.
     

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