Re-contouring a Bumper Tip

[Chaz]

Howdy,
Got a question about changing the radius of the bumper tips of the bumper on my '51 Hudson. The reason I am asking is that the outer 2 pieces don't seem to match the curvature of the center piece of my bumper. They are close but when attached they just don't look correct. It seems they should transition into each other better. I want to cut off the excess that overlaps the center piece and weld them to it for a continuous one piece bumper. Using the outer bumper guards hides the bad angle in which they mate. So, how can I make the radius smaller and flow into the center piece with a pleasant curve? I know how to shrink thinner sheet metal by tuck shrinking but this stuff is Thick.
Peace,
Chaz

bumper curve 2.jpg sneak preview color.jpg

[steve.murphy]

Chaz, This might be some help.
I also think there was a Ron Naida project posted once on the same subject.
http://www.customrodder.com/tech/060...per/index.html
Regards

Steve

[Ben]

Hi Chaz,

tack weld to the bumber and then hit the inside of the corner with a steel hammer to change the radius check with a pattern that has the flow...you mite use torch because it is thick material...then planish on a dollie...

my two cents

Ben

[Chaz]

Thanks! Looks like I'll be doing that.
Peace,
Chaz

[Dyce]

Maybe you could blend the curve into the center bumper peice and work with that too. You have more room to work there. Or both. Do you have a press?
Jeff

[Chaz]

Hi Jeff,
I had thought of that as one of my options but then I would need to change the curve on all of the sheet metal directly above the bumper to match that new curvature so just changing the bumper tips seemed to be the best option. I could "fudge" into the center piece about 3" or so on either side since that is how much the tips originally overlapped into the center piece. This would definitely help in the transitions from one to the other.
Peace,
Chaz