Beginning metalworker

tndcorp · #1 11-23-2014, 04:53 PM

My name is Geoff, and I have been interested in metalworking for a long time, ever since metal shop in High School. I have a lot more time on my hands, and I fancy myself an inventor. I would like to fabricate prototypes out of metal, and this site was recommended to me by an eBay machine tool seller. I would like to have full access to educate myself on the nuances of metal fab before I actually purchase the machines I need.

RockHillWill · #2 11-23-2014, 05:15 PM

Welcome to the forum, Geoff.

Oldnek · #3 11-24-2014, 05:52 AM

Hi Geoff and Welcome.

Cheers John

David Gardiner · #4 11-24-2014, 03:21 PM

Welcome to the forum Geoff.

David

Richard K · #5 11-24-2014, 04:34 PM

Welcome, Geoff. What sort of metalwork do you have in mind?

Peter Tommasini · #6 11-24-2014, 05:17 PM

Hi Geoff welcome to the forum
Peter

tndcorp · #7 11-24-2014, 07:08 PM

Thanks for the welcome. I am looking forward to learning from everyone here

tndcorp · #8 11-24-2014, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard K

Welcome, Geoff. What sort of metalwork do you have in mind?

I will post step-by-step what I want to be my initial foray into sheet metalwork. I have a prototype in mind, and I must not be talking to the right shops, because nobody knows how to do it, nor how to instruct me to do it myself. I want to take a large disc (blanking? coining?) stamped from a large square sheet 24"x24" or so (exact diameter not important at this point). The material is 22ga SS, and I want to have a rolled edge 1/4" in diameter, but rolled in and under to 120 degrees. This precludes stamping/coining/blanking, because once you get past the 90 degree point, you would not be able to remove the piece from the die, since it will be rolled over onto it. Essentially this is a "cap", that will snap over a large round duct that has an externally rolled edge, much like those kitchen mixing bowls with the thumb ring. I was looking at a Pexto Circle cutter to make the disc out of the square blank, and for the edge I am stumped. A Rams 495 looks like it would do the job, but not with the dies it has, since the crease is too sharp, and it doesn't go past 90 degrees. I would ideally like to make this edge in one tool, but I will have to rely on others to educate me on that. Any input would be appreciated. I have a crude line drawing since I do it the stone-age way with ruler, compass, and pencil!