Newbie Intro - 1st project questions

Hello,

I am new to the site. (really glad I found it!)

Excellent job on the website.

I am new to metal working.

I just got a beater bag a Micarta Hammer and a mallet (derlin hammer?)


I have also ordered a eastwood set of dollies and hammers.
http://www.eastwood.com/shopping/pro...;keyword=31084

Seems like I may have enough tools to get started?

I want a easy project to start out. Any ideas or suggestions?

My goal is to create rust repair panels for vintage cars and trucks I am restoring or customizing.

I have a sheet of 16ga steel, is this too think to form with a mallet and a beater bag?

Thanks!

P.s. MY Name is Aaron.

[tdoty]

Howdy Aaron!

That 16ga can be formed with a beater bag and a mallet, but be prepared :shock: I started with aluminum, and have only worked with steel at MM04, and I can tell you, the first few hits on real steel are like "this $#%* ain't moving! :shock:

I would have to recommend some 18, 19 or 20 gauge. The 20 gauge is a bit on the thin side, but it will work for certain things. Apparently, most older cars were made from 19 gauge steel which can be a bit hard to find in small quantities these days. 18 is plentiful and not outrageously expensive - yet :shock:

Biggest thing to do is start banging on some metal. Kerry Pinkerton has suggested making a metal bowl to start with. The difficult part is making a flexible shape pattern and then making another bowl just like it! Making one part is easier, making the pattern for another is easy, the trick is making a second part that looks like the first :wink:

Bowls are a popular way to start, and I would second the motion myself. I only made a couple of bowls though, before I decided to start making "useful" items - something I have yet to achieve :roll: .

Dive in and have fun!

Tim D.

P.s.: That Martin hammer and dolly set should serve you quite well!

[Boogiemanz1]

Hi Aaron, Welcome to Metalmeet. Always good to hear from new members. Looks like a good project also. The Fleetlines have always been one of my favorites.

The 16 ga is OK, but for patch panels, 19 ga is good, if you can't find it get some 18 ga cold rolled. No need working any harder than you need to. A few hammers, dollies and a bag will definatly get you started. You need a tucking fork. They are easy to make. do a search on them and you will find tons of info..........john

Thanks alot for the welcome.

Sounds like I should take back the sheet of 16 ga and get a sheet of 18ga.

Seems like I was misinformed that I needed 16ga for making rust repair/patch panels.

I will let you know how the project goes.

[ralph]

Jack?

We usually set our profiles to sign our post's so we know who's who.

Cars from the 50's generally had .036 outer skins. Which would indicate 20 gage. Here's a translation chart for the most common metals.

Thanks ralph! MY Name is Aaron.

I updated my signature.

[kustomizingkid]

I'm currently working on a 53 chevy fleetline that is going to a totaly custom project and have my work cut out for me since this is a midwestern car and has some rust