Getting into shape...
 

Intros always sound cliche like you have just joined AA or going on a dating site for the first time, but here goes...

My name is Andrew and live in Melbourne Australia. I have a passion for Porsche 550 Spyders which doesn't stop at my website www.type550.com which is where I can release my OCD.

I have a replica 550 Spyder which I am still restoring after many years, and up to the point where I want to start shaping metal panels for the cockpit, along with making an alloy tonneau and other parts.

I have bought myself a heap of tools and have done an amazing intense weekend workshop in panel fabrication at a car restoration company. This has given me the confidence to try and make a lot of these things myself.

I just about blew a few hundred $$ on ebay on a crappy table mounted English Wheel, but before I hit that 'buy now' button, I thought I would do a bit of research to see what I was actually buying and by coming across this site, I worked out I was making a big mistake. Unfortunately there isn't much choice of EWs in Oz, so I need to work out what to do as I think one will make my life a hell of a lot easier when creating the larger pieces.

Besides the EW, I want to pick up some tips on working with alloy but usually a site like this for a novice can be quite daunting when you are out of your depth, so there will be a heap of stupid questions, but usually members love that because they know more.

Anyway, here is a pic of my toy as an intro...

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...o/IMG_4248.jpg

Andrew, welcome and thanks for the nice introduction. Hope you enjoy the site and find it helpful. Thanks for joining us.

We require the introduction to help keep the site clean, no spammers or other bad guy. This site has been very secure. We do everything manually, auto registrations lets in lots of spammers.

Hi Andrew welcome to the forum I have built one of those spyders a long time ago..... beautiful car!
Peter

Welcome to this goldmine, It is filled with inspiration and information :D

Hi Andrew and welcome,

You don't know how lucky you are, being so close to Peter T, I'd move to Oz just to go to his classes, but they are strict on immigration, so there's no chance, quite lucky for Peter too :lol:

Hello Andrew, welcome to the forum.

David

Hi Andrew and welcome!:)

Thanks for the welcome guys - I have done a bit of a scan through the forum and seen a few threads on 550 builds which is always encouraging that there are people here who know what challenges a car like that creates.

By the sounds of it, Peter seems to be the guy to get to know in Melbourne and with 550 experience, it is a bonus - where are you located Peter?

thanks Andrew

Andrew my shop is in

Bayswater North ph 97614557
Peter

Thanks Peter - not far at all - I am in Hawthorn

I had some time over the weekend to try and make a panel for my spyder. Unfortunately I only have hand tools (besides a drill and a jigsaw) so everything is shaped and bent by hand. I am happy with the finished result, but it would be nice to get crisp right angles on the folds. I just need to tweek it to fit properly to the car and then move onto the other side...

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...psd649fa69.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps0144c732.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...psb37bced3.jpg

At the end of the day, when it is painted, I want it to look like this original one...

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps8d03fbb7.jpg

Andrew,

I'd say you came really close.

with hand tools you can tighten the crease with a wood "V" and a made of wood chisel work from the inside of the fold, OR clamping the panel between 2 stiff boards or angle iron pieces and tap on another board along the fold from the outside.

I don't see a need but you're there and know more what you want.

Thanks for the tip Doug. I sandwiched the sheet between two pieces of timber and viced it then slowly bent it by hand. I didn't want to hammer it as I didn't want the dents to clean up after - another board is a great idea!

Hi Andrew,
I had a 550 replica a few years ago lots of fun built on a VW floor pan. To the top of the windscreen total height was a metre. Getting in and out was fun and impossible with the soft top fitted. Looks like you will have lots of fun with all the curves.
Cheers,
Ash.

Things are slowly progressing with my spyder panel fabrication. I have formed my sill panels and also side panels under the cockpit. I am going to line the whole inside of it with aluminium now which shouldn't be too difficult except climbing in under to make the panel templates.

I have got myself a simple english wheel which the previous owner has kindly modified to make it work better. I have been spending some time getting used to it and it will do the job for the purpose I need.

I have the confidence now to try and make a tonneau for the cockpit. I have measured it up and made a pattern for it. I will use the wheel to get the slight convex shape, and I have ordered a stretcher/shrinker to help with the curved edges.

My challenge is creating the rounded curved edge closest to the driver. As it also tapers off, i would like to know the best way of going about it to create it. Please remember, I am very much a novice, but will give anything a go and hopefully to perfection!

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps6c43f893.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...psbd196796.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps18a539ed.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...psc7f3885b.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps3ae629c9.jpg

http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...psadc52f07.jpg

That is coming out FANTASTIC!:)