Hello all,
first of all, excuse my bad english. I understand everything I read or hear but I sometimes find it hard to find the correct words or form the right sentences for what I want to say.
So, my name is Andy and I found this forum while doing some research on metal shaping techniques I needed for a project that happened to come my way.
It is astonishing to see that there are a lot of metalshapers in the US. I know of only 2 guys around my area. So you don't get that kind of information like presented in this forum here in germany. The 'art of the hammer' is nearly dead here. I learned the basics of metal shaping at some workshops here in germany and I (don't know the correct term) am teaching myself right now...try and error...can't really let go of the hammer.
Well, about me: I am 35 years old and started as an aircraft mechanic some years ago. Motorcycles were always my hobby. And because I could not afford a running motorcycle I always bought the broken stuff and learned to fix it. And as I am interested in old bikes they come with a lot of metal parts that are dented or simply missing.
Meanwhile I turned my back on the airplanes and am working as a 'motorcycle master mechanic' (I don't know if it is the correct term for the job title in the US) and start to specialize in sheet metal shaping.
I mainly repair fuel tanks and fenders (wings), sidecars and everything but I also do complete rebuilds. I change my improvised tools into professional ones as I amble along. For shrinking I use a wooden stump with a hollow, works great for me and I am getting pretty fast with it. I have a large (or medium) e-wheel and I might be trying out a halve hammer or power hammer of some sort. Currently I am just missing a metal brake in my shop.
Ok, I wrote enough already...don't want to bore you.
Cheers,
Andy.