my first panel beating
Turbo Mini Forums

ys,

Working on a mechanical fan removal setup I had to do a set of brackets to hold the rad.

This is my first attemp at panel beating (alloy) to add strength to this bracket.





Comments ?

Rusty by nature

To be honest i dont think you will find many people that would put swages like that into panels with a hammer anyway. I couldn't do much better!

I have a friend who does this sort of thing all the time - but he has a steel form made first and then uses a pneumatic hammer.

For a one off it wouldn,t be worth it, but he keeps all his forms for repeat business.

I hamered it on my vice and some wood blocks african style really but I wonder if it's the application where you need a sand bag ?

Rusty by nature

Hard wood blocks as a former sounds just right to me. Usual problem when we start out metal forming is trying to move the metal too quickly. Light blows repeated often and moving around to persuade the metal rather than forcing it usually works best.

Just had a thought. Were you using shaped pieces of hardwood to dent the alloy or had you formed a block with the x shaped grooves in it to panel beat the metal into the grooves ?

Second way works best, especially if you clamp the work piece to the former all round first.

I hammered down the metal in a slot between wood blocks but honestly no clamping what so ever, did it African style on the floor ...

Next time, I'd pay more attention (and use a hammer that is not half busted)

Rusty by nature

I'd make the form from plywood: rectangle base with triangle sections glued and screwed on so as to leave the recessed area. Don't hammer directly on the metal, but get a 50mm section of rod, something like an old gudgeon pin or square bar, and hammer that into the metal. Round off the rod's ends slightly. Move the metal piece after each hit. It may also help to tap a flange over each side of the form and also screw the edges down, but I'd be tempted to try without first.

Cheers mate, will get to that level of preparation if I ever get to do a part that needs to be shown

Rusty by nature

Always amazed at the skill of this guy for some home alloy fab.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw5lYMmxSB0

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

Am thinking of making a form/plug of a rear parcel shelf n beating ali into it to make a replacemement

Ask Paul W he maybe happy to help he is a genius

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