All MetalShaping - New guy intro

My name is Chuck and I live in Chicago. I took a body and fender class in high school (in the 60s) and my project was to make patch panels for a 53 Chevy Belair 1/4 panel. My tools consisted of a rocker panel of unknown origin which was beat flat using a sledge hammer and anvil, a body hammer and a fireplug on the school premises. This panel was then welded by another student using coat hangers for welding rod. I like to think the panel was perfect but know better ! I have stayed in the car hobby all this time and would like to improve my metal skills during retirement. I can hopefully now afford to purchase the proper tools to do better metal work. Would like to use this sight to learn these skills and use the proper tools. My ultimate goal is to do a mild custom car while I'm still able.