Hi everyone from the west midlands,uk.

andyhot · #1 08-20-2013, 02:52 AM

Hi everyone.
My names Andy and I've joined here looking to learn about body panel fabrication.
If anyone has any information on any courses in the west midlands I would love to hear about them. I have found a few colleges that offer courses but the closest one is over 100 miles away and that's too far to commute. Are there any other similar to contour autocraft that dont cost as much, as £1000 is just way too much for me too afford.
Thanks andy.

David Gardiner · #2 08-20-2013, 08:10 AM

Hi Andy, the part of the world you are in was once the center for coachbuilding there must be some people there to learn from. I may do some classes soon but I am not that much nearer and probably will not be that much cheaper.

David

HEATNBEAT · #3 08-20-2013, 09:33 AM

Hi Andy and welcome!

You might want to buy David's DVD! It is one of the best on the market!

Also, YouTube has 1,000's of metal shaping clips. Here is a link to Lazze's YouTube's
http://www.lazzemetalshaping.com/ind...e=cat/cat5.htm

Maxakarudy · #4 08-20-2013, 04:27 PM

Hi Andy,

Welcome to the forum, you'll find a lot of help here, the archives are a great resource for learning.
David's DVD is a great start, as well as Peter Tommasinis DVDs, but everybody has a contribution to make both pros and amateurs alike, there's a lot of talented people here so keep watching.
I'm in Aston, Birmingham, so only a stones throw away really from you.
I haven't found anybody local teaching car restoration , but Eckold in Coventry due run classes, but theyre expensive too.

Peter Tommasini · #5 08-20-2013, 06:51 PM

HI Andy welcome to the forum
Peter

andyhot · #6 09-01-2013, 05:30 AM

Thanks for the welcome everyone.
I have ordered a couple of books off ebay and will watch the videos on youtube.
Davids dvd sounds ideal as it seems to be aimed at using basic hand tools rather than expensive wheels and power hammers etc.
I have been searching everywhere and im 99.9% sure that there isn't a course within a 50 mile radius of me. I dont mind travelling further but it would have to be a condensed short course over a few days or a week. That way I could stay nearby in a b&b for the duration rather than commuting every day.
I have even considered contacting local body shops and seeing if they would be prepared to teach me if I offered a free days labour every week for the chance to learn, but most body shops seem to be accident repair centres that just replace panels rather than repair or make them.
if anyone has any advice on my best route to go I would appreciate it.
For now I will just try and learn myself the basics and practice, but I know what may take me a week to learn myself could probably be picked up in a few hours being shown by someone experienced.
David I could be very interested in your classes. Could you please let me know more details if they do go ahead.
If anyone knows someone in the west midlands area who could be interested in having some help in exchange for showing me the ropes please let me know.
Many thanks andy.

andyhot · #7 09-01-2013, 06:05 AM

Hi Martin do you have any information on the eckold course as I cant find much about it on their website. I have searched on google and found someone on the locost builders site who did a 1 day hammer and dolly course there in 2010 for £60 which seems very reasonable if they are still similarly priced.
thanks andy.

Maxakarudy · #8 09-01-2013, 09:46 AM

Hi Andy,

I think you have to ring up and ask when they are next doing a course, here's a link about it...http://www.eckold.co.uk/pdfs/shaping-hand-out-5.pdf.
I think one of the members on this site has been on it Redoxide if my memory is correct.
Let me know what Eckold say, might come along.
I don't know anyone local who's a proper panel maker, that's not to say there aren't any, it's just they keep quiet and don't seem to want to pass on much help, that's one of the causes of this declining artform

.
If you want to call by sometime to my workshop PM me, I'll show what I get up to.

andyhot · #9 09-02-2013, 06:27 AM

Hi martin.
I have been in touch with eckold and they wont be holding any more courses till next year. They said details should be posted on their site by the end of this year listing details.
I have pm'd you regarding popping over some time and if I manage to find anything else local I will be sure to let you know.
thanks andy.

David Gardiner · #10 09-02-2013, 12:35 PM

Hi Andy, I am not sure of when I will be able to put on a class, dead of winter is not ideal because it gets dam cold in here because my workshop is a farm building and not insulated. If I can get organised soon I will hold a class.

Have not come up with any details but if you have any ideas of duration of course you are looking for I will see what can be done. There are plenty of B&Bs and hotels here, even a caravan park because we are by the sea, so lots of choice of places to stay.

David