Greetings from Atlanta, GA

[Ken in Atlanta]

I am a mechanical engineer by degree and had many classes on materials including metal to learn about the structure and mechanics of materials. That's great for theory and to make a living, but now I want application! I am now at the age where application has to be challenging and fun, but doesn't have to make economical sense or please a board of directors or equity investors.

have always been interested in vintage body repair methods using metal shaping skills rather than the bondo-fill-and-sand skills. My first project was a 1940 Buick when I was 15, both of which, car and age are long gone by now. I don't know where that car is and I also don't know where the years have gone.

I have a fully restored Mustang, then a 41 Ford pickup that I would like to clean up from rust, dings and bangs. I specifically want to learn the techniques required to hammer out, shrink, form and weld that gage of sheet metal. I also like blacksmithing as old hardware and some ornamental things that don't look machine made are pretty cool.