Introduction

[Richard Webster]

Hi, my name is Richard. I've been a woodworker most of my life. I've always had an interest in metal working and now that I'm retired I'm going to build a cycle cart which is why I'm interested in learning all the processes of metal shaping from those who have the experience in it. I'm a big believer in passing on knowledge. Pay it forward so to speak. I look forward to reading all the forum information from people who have perfected their craft to help me make less mistakes. I'm looking forward to creating car parts using metal instead of wood!!!

[crystallographic]

Originally Posted by Richard Webster

Hi, my name is Richard. I've been a woodworker most of my life. I've always had an interest in metal working and now that I'm retired I'm going to build a cycle cart which is why I'm interested in learning all the processes of metal shaping from those who have the experience in it. I'm a big believer in passing on knowledge. Pay it forward so to speak. I look forward to reading all the forum information from people who have perfected their craft to help me make less mistakes. I'm looking forward to creating car parts using metal instead of wood!!!

Ah, very sorry to inform you that you might already have some of the requisite skills to form aluminum sheet.

Cutting aluminum with brad point drills, table saws, band saws with wood-cutter blades and speeds, and routers is normal.

Form blocks (aviation term, back to 1914 or so) are used to clamp aluminum in a shaped sandwich, while any exposed parts are slapped, whapped, and bapped into shape, making trays, pans, bowls, inlet scoops, domed and flanged covers, nosebowls, door frames, carb inlets, turbo inlets, intake manifolds and muffin tins.

flow-formed carb inlet_radial engine.jpg
Carb inlet, radial engine, .050" 3003, two halves-top and bottom, gas welded as original. Technique here is called "flow forming" in aviation and dates to about 1920's. Hand whacking is aka "hammer forming" from the 1950's, Detroit. After WW2 automobiles went back into production, and many workers now came from aircraft factories, and with them - their trades.

Welcome,

[Peter Tommasini]

Hi Richard welcome to the forum
Peter