#1
|
||||
|
||||
Baileigh Metal Shaping contest 2012 - Gas Tank
I had been on the search for some wood baseball bats to make some shaping hammers and while helping my good friend Rex move his shopt, I was given a couple of them. So first thing today I went to Tony's and made them both into hammers. I can't wait to get to use them!
Before this though, I had started my next project, a motorcycle gas tank. I am.working closely with Tony on this, and have some good ideas for it. Started out with some blanks that were cut out of 19gauge steel, that were cut to fit a.pattern that Tony has. Then proceeded to put some shape into it with the helve hammer and some smoothing with the English Wheel. I wanted to do an embossed pattern into the sides, so cut two more blanks and proceeded to put the same shape into it, and with the bead roller and a step die i made an area for the embossed area (it took a couple tries and some hammer and dolly work to get this to look halfway decent). Then I took a practice piece and laid out a rough pattern for what I wanted, and I like how it will turn out. Making a pattern to look kind of like a basketweave. This is as far as I've gotten so far, next is to lay out the pattern on the real pieces, roll it and cut out the sides for the insert to fit in.
__________________
Mike Mettelka Mettelka Craft Metalshaping Wanted, 41 Cadillac Fleetwood Last edited by red baron; 05-04-2012 at 01:13 AM. Reason: Changed title |
#2
|
||||
|
||||
Looks like a Baileigh contest entry to me...
__________________
Kerry Pinkerton |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
That's a very nice and inspiring basket weave pattern you made there!! Love to hear how you did it!
__________________
Cheers, Jordy Metalshaping newbie... Last edited by bugdriver; 04-13-2012 at 01:53 PM. Reason: typo |
#4
|
||||
|
||||
Kerry, if thus will fall into that I would love it, I just don't know if I will be done before the end of the contest, but I will update as I go.
Jordy, I will be laying out the lines today for the actual pieces that I will be using. I will do some detailed pics as I go.
__________________
Mike Mettelka Mettelka Craft Metalshaping Wanted, 41 Cadillac Fleetwood |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
First things first, I have to layout the pattern on the inset pieces. I used 3/4 inch wide metal banding strap to space out my pattern, at 45 degrees from the bottom edge.
I had to adjust the pattern front to back till I was happy with the spacing inside the insert. Then marking the direction of the rolls, cause it would be really easy to mix up the lines as you go. Using the Mittler Bros artistic dies (think really small step roll), I put a bead going one way, and then the other overlapping to create the weave effect. repeat the process and I now have two insert pieces The next step is to locate the inserts onto the tank sides and scribe a line for fitting. And now to cut holes in the sides to allow them to fit. A little final trimming and they will be ready to TIG in place. This is where I ran out of time, so I will update again when i get back to Tony's.
__________________
Mike Mettelka Mettelka Craft Metalshaping Wanted, 41 Cadillac Fleetwood |
#6
|
||||
|
||||
Perfect contest entry!
__________________
Shane Henderson |
#7
|
||||
|
||||
After all the final trimming is is completed, its time to clamp the inserts into place
Used the MIG welder to tack weld the inserts into place Next is to TIG weld the entire area around the insert, and grind the proud of the weld down. My TIG skills are lacking, but I'm learning and they're getting better everytime. After the weld is ground almost smooth on both sides its time for a trip through the planishing hammer to stretch the weld and crush the weld proud smooth Now for a little bit of metal finishing using a roloc style sanding disc. There are still a couple pin holes that I discovered at this point that need to be addressed, but once again I ran out of time.
__________________
Mike Mettelka Mettelka Craft Metalshaping Wanted, 41 Cadillac Fleetwood |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
Looks great Mike.
__________________
Rick Scott The second mouse gets the cheese! |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
thats bad a$$. great job buddy
__________________
Alex T |
#10
|
||||
|
||||
Thanks for all the great comments guys!! Its really appreciated! I know the contest is over, but I'm not done so I am going to continue updating this thread.
Having had the tank sides completed, it is time to make the top of the tank. I took some scrap pieces to clamp the sides to each other. I then took a paper pattern of this and cut a piece out. Using the "English Knee" method, I got the flat steel to follow the contours of the tank sides. Next is to put some shape into the top, make it look a little prettier. To do this I just carefully ran it through the english wheel to try not to lose the original curves, yet still get some nice shape into it. Next is to clamp it all together. And tack it together with the MIG to keeep it from moving around. And now to TIG weld it all together. At this point I started grinding down the welds, and ran it through the planishing hammer so i can start the metal finishing process. I previously found a gas cap that I liked, and had already ordered it up. When it arrived I set it in place to get an idea of what it will look like installed. It will be installed much more flush to have a streamlined appearance, But I think this will all look really nice. And here is a kind of far away shot to show the flow of the tank. Once again I ran out of time, so I will update this again as I get a little further!
__________________
Mike Mettelka Mettelka Craft Metalshaping Wanted, 41 Cadillac Fleetwood |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|