shrinking

[gregfri]

Thanks guys for info.I am fairly new to computers and find this site a bit confusing as far as finding pics etc.How do I find these pics of helve hammers? Thanks-greg

[Bob Baisden]

greg,

go to the top of the page and click on link "gallery". Then select member galleries. Additional pages of galleries can be selected by clicking on the numbers at the bottom of the page.
Bob

[Wray Schelin]

Hi Greg,

I just upoaded a bunch of pictures of my helve hammer into this galllery.

http://www.metalmeet.com/photopost/s...rd=&page=1



Also click here for instructions on how to view several videos of my helve hammer in action.

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=238

My helve hammer which I designed and built in 1994 and have used since to both stretch and shrink sheetmetal at will using simple plastic tooling heads made out of inexpensive UHMW plastic.



Wray

[Wray Schelin]

Kerry wrote:

Wray is the current 'inventor' of this idea and he refined it for sheetmetal.

Hi Kerry ,

I think the proper term should be populariser not inventor.

I copied the concept from an existing helve hammer that was in a picture of an Italian coachbuilding shop.

this one:



As far as I know I was the first to build one exclusively for working sheetmetal in the US . Most people seemed to be in a mad dash trying to find a worn out, overpriced ,monster old Yoder. After I looked at the picture of the helve hammer in the Italian shop the idea of having to find a Yoder ( which wasn't possible in my shop anyway because of noise and space issues) was gone.

Yoders cost a fortune and another fortune to move. They are extremely large and heavy, will most likely need to be rebuilt when you do find one and the tooling costs another fortune.

With a helve hammer you can move it easily with a hand truck. Build it yourself for under $1000.00 in materials. You can tool it with plastic drops and a beater bag for around $75.00 total.

If I can find the time between now and MM04 I will post the plans here for free for a updated version of my helve hammer. I'm hoping we can get one together for Randy so that we can use it at MetalMeet 04 .

Wray

[Kerry Pinkerton]

Originally Posted by Wray Schelin

Kerry wrote:

[Hi Kerry ,

I think the proper term should be populariser not inventor.

I copied the concept from an existing helve hammer that was in a picture of an Italian coachbuilding shop.

Wray

Have to disagree dude. I put "inventor" in quotes because I realizethat while you did not invent the original idea, you certainly took an idea and made major improvements and innovations for a purpose not originally intended. I suspect many of those ideas are pattenable if you were the sort to try and profit from your ideas. We're all grateful you are as open and sharing as you are.

[Boogiemanz1]

Wray, I rebuilt my hammer using the recommendations from Bob, and yourself. I have a 2 hp motor with a footpedal that seems to work as well as a clutch....EXCEPT...were you slowing your hammer with the clutch in the video, or is that the speed your hammer normally runs?

The reason I ask is mine runs a bit faster, but I can control the speed with the pedal some. The longer arm and the bigger motor is beating this poor thing to death. I reinforced the areas you recommended, as they flexed. I think I have it almost workable.....if things will just quit stripping out and flying off...I was suprised how easy it was to tuck shrink with .....john

[gregfri]

Thanks again guys for info. since I found this site,I can't get any work done on my street rod because I'm spending too much time here.Wray-sure hope you have time to post those plans,it's hard to figure this hammer out by just studing pics.Watched your videos,great to see what machine can do,now I want to build one. I build street rods for a living and this would be a useful addition to my shop. Greg

[Wray Schelin]

Hi John,

Yes, I run mine slow , that is all you need. I only speed it up if I'm preplanishing out the lumps or when generating a rough shape fast.

My helve hammer uses the concrete floor as a structural member, it is lagged down tight. When I do the plans I will increase the web thickness of the angle iron used for the four main uprights.

The smaller driill powered helve hammers are a neat idea but they lack the hitting power and probably longevity as well. I'm sure they are fine for small panels especially aluminum.

Wray

[kkathary]

Wray I have an air drill powered helve, I've succesfully made motorcycle gas tanks out of 18 gauge CR. I think you are probably right about the longevity of the drill. I've been using mine for about 6 months with no problems. I just got another completed with an electric motor and loose belt clutch. The loose belt clutch is easy to set up and works ok. I can go from full speed(240-260rpm) to maybe 20 rpm. But the belt has stretched already and I probably have less than 2 hours time on it. I'm gonna change pulley sizes so I have a 4 inch pulley the smallest, that might remedy the belt stretching. At least make it last longer. The air drill hammer would be great for a beginner it's simple to make and for a hobbiest no more power is needed. But if your gonna shape metal for a living one with an electric motor is best.

Kyle

[dribble]

hi there,from dave in New Zealand.,
Just a few words in introduction,I'm 45,an industrial maintence man in the pulp and paper industry.I've been into building hot rods for many years and have recently got into building a real steel '23 t roadster,copying my old fibreglass one,it's a steep learning curve.I've followed the exploits of Ron Covell,etc. through magazines and have thought if he can do it why cant I.I'm building the nescessary machines[wheeling machine,folder,helve hammer]and have a reasonably equiped workshop.Now to some questions
1]What is the difference between using a wooden and steel beam.
2]should the leaf spring go towards the anvil or out the back.
3]shoud it be flat or curved, up or down.
Any answers would be greatly appreciated,also this forum shows that the skills of bygone days are not lost.

Thanks dribble[dave]
ps.there is no such thing as cant!