Rookie metal fabrica?m?
 

Hi,

My name is Walt & I am from the Iron Range of Minnesota. The Iron Range is where taconite pelletd come from to make steel. Maybe even the steel sheets we use to make panels & parts from.

Anyways, I am here because I want to learn more about metal forming, fabrication, & tools. I have stumbled into this site doing searches for various tools & have found bits of this site. I am for the most part self taught to do some basic fabrication w/some help along the way. I have had to improvise in making pieces as I didn't have a sheet metal brake or foot shear to duplicate the tool tray for my 1940 Ford Tudor.

I like old cars, pickups, & trucks from the early brass cars all the way through the early 70's. I primarily work w/ stuff from the 30's & 40's.

I recently bought a small sheet metal brake. I wiould like to learn how to better utilize my bead roller & I am looking at purchasing a shrinker/stretcher, maybe a planishing:eek:hammerI have watched a bit of YouTube videos by Ron Covell & Lazze & that has helped me to learn how I could potentially better use my tools.

Walt, welcome to the forum. Lot's of good info here.

If you are interested in meeting some other like-minded individuals face-to-face, I'm hosting a metalshaping meet in Cumberland, WI on October 5, 6, and 7. Might be around a 4 hour drive for you. You can attend any, or all, days, whatever fits your level of interest and your schedule.

http://www.allmetalshaping.com/showthread.php?t=16900

The link below includes some photos from last year. (You'll have to scroll down a ways for the photos.)

http://www.allmetalshaping.com/showthread.php?t=15048

The cost is a free-will donation. I expect around 20 people. Approximately half are pretty new to metalshaping. The others have between a little more and a whole lot of experience. Bring a project if you have one. It's a good opportunity for everyone to share what they are working on and learn from one another. If you have an idea for a project but don't know where to start, bring it, we can help with that too. We'd love to have you there.

Pat Brubaker is doing a couple of classes the weekend before if that interests you. (See more info in the first link above.)

Hi Walt,
Welcome to the forum. You'll find many interesting methods, people, projects, and tool ideas here. Have fun!

Welcome to the forum, Walt.

Take advantage of Steve's invitation if you can. Neither he nor PatMan will steer you wrong...

Hi Walt welcome to the forum
Peter