Shaping with air Planisher

Like Ron Simmons, who posts on this board, I make suits of armour.
I have had a air plannisher for about a year now and I love it for smootthing my roughed out work. When I look at what the custom motorcycle and automotive workers are doing with it I get the impression that they are actually shaping the metal with this tool. If that is so, how does one go about doing this? I'd love to expand what I do with it. Unlike Ron, who works in very thick metal, I tend to work in 20 -16 gague. Is this too thick to do metal forming with it?

Sorry for the broad question.

Doug Strong

[87gtmustang]

Shaping is definetly possible with most units. The thickness you are working with is very well within the shapeable category, although 16 gauge needing a stronger unit. Lots of times what you see the motorcycle sheetmetal shapers doing, for example making a tank, they will roughly stretch out the tank with a mallet and sandbag, and then stick it on the planishing hammer to smooth it out, and for final shapeing. Since some areas of the tank need lots of shapeing, that is the best and fastest way to do it. You could do it all without presretching with the shotbag, but it would take quite abit more time. The only thing you really need to do, to do more shapeing than planishing with your unit, is turn up the power and let it go to town! You will also probably want to use a fairly crowned radius to help with the stretching and shaping. Good luck!

Brian =)

Thanks for the response. Would a heavier duty air compressor produce more force or a longer run before recharging or both?

[jlrussell4]

Hi Doug,
The amount of air used is dependent on the tool. A large tank will last longer before needing to be recharged. A "stronger" air compressor will recharge the tank faster. Does this help you ?

[FriarTuck]

From what I've read and seen, if you want to "shape" as opposed to "planish" you need a heavier air hammer, with harder blows, longer stroke, that sort of thing. Planishing is done with less force, shorter strokes, don't really want to "stretch" as much as you want to "smooth" the metal. Being able to vary the pressure between the dies is important also. More pressure gives you more "shaping". I'm not talking from a lot of experience here, just what I have gathered here on MetalMeet in the forums.
If you get tired of beating a sand bag, there is always the Helve Hammer. Not really great at "planishing" though.
Hope this helps...

[kkathary]

In the true sense of what a planishing hammer is I would say no. Planish means to smooth by hammering. Not to shape. It can be done, but unless you have a very large industrial air compressor, most air hammers will run an air compressor to death. And most of the guys selling on ebay will run their machines at 125 PSI, which is ridiculous if you ask me. A cp will do a superb job at 100 PSI. I very rarely run mine that high. 85-90 is nice for smoothing. Also using a high crown anvil at high PSi leaves a terrible texture on the metal. You also end up with a very uneven stretch. Better to use a fairly low crown anvil in it and be patient. I think everyone wants to shape with a planishing hammer because power hammers are so expensive and most people percieve an english wheel as to slow. Build a helve hammer. For the simplicity, and quick learning curve you can't beat it. Also a well engineered helve is more versatile than any other metalshaping machine there is. Jim Bailie has made his helve so it can use all of his pullmax dies, do heavy shaping, and planish just as well as a planishing hammer or wheel. Also shaping 16G with anything but power tools will wear your ass out in a hurry.

Kyle

[anders nørgaard]

Hi Kyle,

Great post with a lot of good info!
Well.... guess I'll have to find a big air motor
Just "stole" this compressor 3.5 hp, 380 volts, 2 cyl. 135 gal. tank..... 80 bucks







I'd go for the helve too. (Or my Anders Hammer) Just couldn't resist the opportunity to brag about this great deal/trade I just made!!!!

[Pedalcar]

Hi Anders ,

i think you have to get all your neighbours flash lights and candle because when

you fire this thing up the will go down in your street,


Ben

[anders nørgaard]

Hey Buddy,

Don't think it will be much of a problem.............. I've got a "dug down" basement below my garage and that's where I intend to install my compressor Shouldn't make much "outdoor noise"

Edit: Sorry Ben, didn't get your point the 1s t time
Naaaaah.... 3.5 hp "star" connected... wouldn't eat that much power

[1969robinhood]

Hey there Anders....

I like you "mobile stand " you have there for the compressor,...looks like some of my handy work there...LOL>>>