First Shaping Project?

[sha_ba_do_bang]

I've been reading and learning alot and I have also done alot of metal work(chassis and structural cages) but i have not shaped somthing out of sheet metal that has curves and needs shrinking and hammering and planishing.
Any ideas?

Motorcycle tank? I dont have a motorcycle
Football?

Those are the only ideas i have know

Also the only metal shaping tools i have are a hammer, shear, mig
I plan on making a beating bag, and was looking at dolly's. I like i'm going to get a post dolly, because it work be able to be clamped in a vise the hammer and plaish small items, i also plan on making a slapper out of hardwood and a tucking fork. Of course I will buy more tools as time goes on but for now I'll get the one post dolly and a slapper

Thanks

[Gonejunking]

Brendan

Post dollies are great, but I would make a beater bag first. Get an old leather purse, and fill it with sand. The one I use, look's like it is out of the 70's, just a big bag!! But it work's great! I even dumped the sand out of it, and took it to MM5!
The bag was one of the first tool's that I made for shaping, and the most used!

Just my 2c

[ralph]

Originally Posted by sha_ba_do_bang

Any ideas?

Also the only metal shaping tools i have are a hammer, shear, mig
I plan on making a beating bag, and was looking at dolly's. I like i'm going to get a post dolly, because it work be able to be clamped in a vise the hammer and plaish small items, i also plan on making a slapper out of hardwood and a tucking fork. Of course I will buy more tools as time goes on but for now I'll get the one post dolly and a slapper

Thanks

You've run a couple threads on a 32 roadster. How about a couple headlight buckets? They are very similar in shape to the cycle shroud CaptainKirk has built.

Hardwood slappers are OK, but don't forget steel slappers. They are the best hand tool I've used for finishing. Get a scrap spring or two and make several sizes. Keep the handles long and vary the length and width of the striking surface. Here's part of Tom Hanna's collection. Note the polish.


A good heel dolly and a railroad dolly will get you going. Again learn to look for shapes in the scrap pile. Round the edges and polish up a hunk of steel and you can make a special purpose dolly. Buying tools isn't a magic bullet. They are seldom designed by real users. The ones you make to fit your situation will usually work better.