[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

I have taken a couple of Ron Covell metal working classes and if there are any near you I would highly recommend one if you are interested in metalworking and like me, was slightly better then novice to begin with. Using common tools in one class he made a 3/4 size 36 Ford rear fender from flat pieces of metal, the other he made a 32 grille shell using mainly a bead roller. He pre cuts the flat metal and since he is travelling, makes them smaller then the original part due to shipping/airline considerations. He showed us how to use a Pull Max but it is just a way faster way to do something you can by hand. Like anything, experience is the key and you can't expect to do his quality work the first time out but with practice you could make something relatively simple like a 32 quarter patch panel I think fairly quickly with tools most have. Getting AKDQ (aluminum killed) draw grade sheet metal to begin with is a huge help.

Were actually past the issue of the patch panels my son did an amazing job with the poorly made stuff we had all it took was cutting them into four pieces and with a die I machined stamped what we needed. No need for a class we figured this out. Next project just completed was the reveal around the fenders most of the inner fenders were gone and the rust was high into the bead area. Since no replacement is made for this area i machined a set of dies male and female that matched the body reveal perfectly. Using the die we rolled our own replacement beads the complete arch of the wheel well. That area of the body is now completed. As of Sunday December 22nd we now have a rust free body everything needing replacement is completed. Learning as we go along has proven to be most times a fun experience.
Ronnieroadster