Rocker Panel

[DYCE]

I've been having some trouble making this rocker panel. It's on a 1938 Buick and I can't find repo panels. I made the other side in two peices and i would like to make this one in one peice. I don't plan on replacing the top of the rocker. The problem I have is making the curve. I have a tipping wheel set up on my bead roller but the radius changes at the end and it ends up to sharp. I thought I'd ask before I filled my scrap bin. :D I posted a picture of my tipping wheel. Sorry, I havn't figured out how to put the pictures in cool like everyone else. :p I just finished it for this panel. It's primitive but it works. By the way, the rubber came from a local hardware store. It is part of a roller for boat trailers. There were some neat shapes. Any suggestions? I have a lathe and already made some dies for the roller and can make more. Thanks everyone!!! :)
Jeff Dyce

[bumpungrind]

Hi Hotrod,

May I suggest making a form (buck), following the contours of the section of rocker panel, for the repair panel you intend to fabricate.
If you make paper patterns exactly following the starting point and ending of each simple curve; the patterns that result, can reduce 3-D to easily translatable 2-D, and from that, you can draw the lay lines on the metal by tracing the patterns as they butt up to one another, making sure to use reference marks to match the exact juncture of the each pattern, and its relationship to the others. Be sure to number them as you go, and mark the edges with the reference numbers of the patterns that will butt to them.
That is all that is needed for accurate duplication, before wasting any more time and metal with trial and error.
If you have access to a bandsaw, a drill mounted sanding drum with sanding rolls to fit, and a little patience, you should be able to produce a suitable buck in just little while.
By having a buck to check your progress, You may keep your orientation to the problem fresh and prevent costly error from trying to "piece it together" with faulty memories.
If you are able to do much of the work on the tipping wheel, (and dies are always nice to have),you may be able to accomplish a suitable result with hammer and shot bag, stake or anvil, or by using solid round stock in lieu of dollies (if you haven't any), to bump the rest of the profile into the metal to complete the fabrication of the desired panel.
Best of luck with your rocker panel repair!

[DYCE]

Thanks. I'm on my third one now :? . I allmose have it. I made the first part of the bend in my brake and used the planishing hammer for the back part with the long radius. I don't have the camara at the shop today so I can't post any pictures. I did kinda what you said and took a block of wood and trimed it down to hammer shape into the panel.
Thanks for the input!
Jeff