welding instructor needs info

[jolene davis]

My name is jolene davis and I teach Welding/Advanced Welding at an east TX High School and Community College. I am here browsing for information on sheet metal manipulation. I have had my introductory "Principles of Manufacturing" HS students build a 3 dimensional star and a box with a lid. I would like to be able to go farther. My work experience has always been as a Structural ironworker/fitter/welder and I have always called sheet metal work "sh*t mental" as it is harder than it looks and I have never been good at it. I want to build an english wheel/planishing hammer in my school shop and need more information. We are a public school with VERY SMALL budgets so I will end up funding this myself just so the kids can have the experience. If I can stay under $500. for a decent piece of equipment that's pretty user friendly, I will be happy.

Jolene