New Member

[Evill]

My name is Ed Villela; I live in Northern New Jersey. I have been involved in Auto body, Custom Paint and Restoration of cars and motorcycles for the last 32 years. I have done this a full time career, part –time business and these days as a hobby.
The majority of my metal working skills revolve around basic panel straightening with hammer and dolly. When I built a custom motorcycle for myself, I got into some basic metal shaping. From there I gained a stronger interest in it. I have added a few new tools to my collection, 3-in 1 slip roll, brake and shear, hand operated shrinker and strectcher set, a pneumatic planishing hammer and a Henrob torch.
I had spent some time doing basic shaping exercises, but stopped as some of life’s other priorities took precedent.
Today, I am restoring a second generation Firebird for and with my 16 year old son Dylan. Dylan has great interest in cars and fabrication and has good mechanical aptitude. I will use this opportunity to teach him the skills I have learned as well as give him the hands on opportunity for hands on learning. When we are done, he should have learned new skills and have the satisfaction of building his first car.
This project will be a good opportunity for me to pick up, learn and develop my metal shaping skills.

Ed