Author Topic: Aluminium Forming  (Read 251 times)

Glynn

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Aluminium Forming
« on: 06 May 22, 11:11 am »
Does anybody have the capability to produce an aluminium half cone ?  I'm thinking of english wheel or possibly metal spinning.
I think I'm going to really struggle to make my rear cowling.  I can do it in fibreglass but would really like to be more authentic.

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RhysN

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Re: Aluminium Forming
« Reply #1 on: 06 May 22, 11:23 am »
Glynn, I do some for myself, but my standards aren't good enough to offer to do anything for such a cool build.
Have you thought of looking at other items, there are lots of cool shapes to be found in the food making areas of supermarkets, but I guess alloy isn't there any longer. I have a very large jam pot that might make something (it did make a great mould for the nose cone on a Pitts pedal aeroplane :) )
We must avoid torturing our brains with false problems, it occupies but it can annoy. In jest!

Glynn

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Re: Aluminium Forming
« Reply #2 on: 06 May 22, 11:30 am »
Thanks Rhys,
I have been looking out for something to adapt but so far have drawn a blank.  Appreciate your comments though.

Tinworm

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Re: Aluminium Forming
« Reply #3 on: 06 May 22, 11:56 am »
Glynn, a few years ago I contacted Geoff Moss at MPH Motor Panels in Liskeard. If you look on YouTube you will find that he is one of this country's top wheelers and you can watch him at work. I went down and stayed in a B&B and did a couple of days learning how to wheel. I didn't follow up on this, but he did say I could make a buck (something to put my metal on to gauge where I wanted to raise my surface to) and bring it to him and he would guide me in making something. You could do the same. That way you learn the skills and you do the job under expert guidance.

I had a project that involved wheeling about 7 years ago, and bought my machine for it, but something else stopped play! Shame, because by now I'd probably be good at it.

I live in Ipswich and I have a wheeling machine and some decent Justin Baker anvils, and would be happy if anyone here wanted to have a go or use my wheel for their projects.
I don't want to bore you all with the details, here. But if you are interested, have a look at my blog https://peteskart.blogspot.com/

-Peter

Tinworm

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Re: Aluminium Forming
« Reply #4 on: 06 May 22, 12:02 pm »
I don't want to bore you all with the details, here. But if you are interested, have a look at my blog https://peteskart.blogspot.com/

-Peter

Jimr1999

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... You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.

Chris L

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Re: Aluminium Forming
« Reply #6 on: 06 May 22, 01:51 pm »
Here's one idea i borrowed from Rhys posted on here a short while back. I thought.....good idea

The bottom half of a scrap glass fibre canoe , one end cut up perhaps.   That's if your not dead set on Ally.

Chris L

Glynn

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Re: Aluminium Forming
« Reply #7 on: 06 May 22, 02:10 pm »
Jim,
I think the lampshade idea is brilliant.  Unfortunately the 18" ones seem to be made from enamelled steel.  I'll keep looking though.

StefanN

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Re: Aluminium Forming
« Reply #8 on: 06 May 22, 02:54 pm »
Jim,
I think the lampshade idea is brilliant.  Unfortunately the 18" ones seem to be made from enamelled steel.  I'll keep looking though.
Trying searching for aluminium lamp shade on Facebook Marketplace.  Seems to be quite a few larger ones on there.

You can approximate compound curves like that by riveting smaller sections together.   Lines of rivets almost always look great!

Jimr1999

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« Last Edit: 06 May 22, 05:29 pm by Jimr1999 »
... You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.

Jimr1999

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Re: Aluminium Forming
« Reply #10 on: 06 May 22, 05:40 pm »
If it were a fer MM out, after you cut it in half it would probably conform to the chassis. The other half could supply the cap at the top where the hole was riveted on. I think it would be very cool if you pull it off
... You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.

Pip83

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Re: Aluminium Forming
« Reply #11 on: 10 May 22, 09:56 am »
It won't be the cheapest option but you could get it made using incremental sheet forming from Fractory or similar. I've never used them and have no idea on cost but may be worth getting a quote. https://fractory.com/sheet-metal/

Adrian

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Re: Aluminium Forming
« Reply #12 on: 13 May 22, 10:09 am »
Ferrari used a cut-off tree trunk stump with a hollow shaped by chain saw in the top and a shot bag and teardrop shaped hammer to form all their aluminium body panels at one time. They didn't use an English wheel at all.
They used this method right up to the 308GTB (1970ish). Some 'specials' and some repairs are still made there with a hammer and a shot bag.
;>)
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TheGiantTribble

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Re: Aluminium Forming
« Reply #13 on: 13 May 22, 11:06 am »
As I was once told, by someone who know what they where on about...

'every thing can be made with hammers a shot bag and time, English wheels just
get's you a bigger pile of scrap metal even quicker if ya dunno what ya doing to start with'

RhysN

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Re: Aluminium Forming
« Reply #14 on: 21 May 22, 06:13 pm »
Glynn I was in B & Q a few hours back, they have several aluminium lightshades which I suspect might do what you want. About £12.
We must avoid torturing our brains with false problems, it occupies but it can annoy. In jest!