[MPR455]

my name is mike pistello. iam a journeyman tool and die maker for 23 years. i have owned and driven race cars on the NHRA&IHRA circuit for 20 years. not full time anymore. got interested in doing metal shaping after going to The Miller Meet at Milwaukee about 10 years ago. vintage indy, midgets and sprint cars come to the mile to run. I really got inspired by the fact that you could build race car bodies with hand tools. i have a full machine shop at home for doing all things for my race cars and now antique bicycles and prewar lionel trains you know the ones that where made of stamped steel. my dad and i are a sort of throwback to a better time when you owned a race car you did all the work yourself. engines trans and rearend, suspensions, body and all fab work done by us. i have gathered some basic tools for metalshaping shotbag, hammers, dollies, and a small english wheel from the 20's i'am restoring now. i've done some simple stuff like gauge panels with rolled edges, some dent removal. but would really like to dig in now that have a wheel. also just picked up a small stamping press that i would like to do some power hammer work with. build shrinking dies for it and some crown dies. this looks like the place to be. thanks for the oppertunity-mike