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Amazing Autobody work

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Stinger

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Basehor, KS
It is VERY pic heavy...finished work and some of the complex shapes he creates are quite impressive.
 
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lilredex

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Apr 29, 2006
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Toronto
Thanks for that link. The guy is truly a master at forming, with basically nothing but a hammer and very basic tools. He also makes the transition from part to template look sooo easy, something I have always struggled with.

Also like that shop tool he made to clamp and accurately short-turn edges on sheet metal, not something that is easily done on a brake. Have to make one of those.



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Did have a little trouble saving those pictures. Had to save in Windows "my pictures" first, then copy and paste from there into my desk top file, otherwise they opened as a line across the center of the page. Had trouble with saved pictures before, like that and open them with "paint" to solve that problem in the past.

I have cheap and dirty DSL (Acanac) and there was no problem loading all that stuff..........did take a minute or so though.
 
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bigbluerigak

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May 9, 2009
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Anchorage AK
lilredex said:
Thanks for that link. The guy is truly a master at forming, with basically nothing but a hammer and very basic tools. He also makes the transition from part to template look sooo easy, something I have always struggled with.

Also like that shop tool he made to clamp and accurately short-turn edges on sheet metal, not something that is easily done on a brake. Have to make one of those.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Did have a little trouble saving those pictures. Had to save in Windows "my pictures" first, then copy and paste from there into my desk top file, otherwise they opened as a line across the center of the page. Had trouble with saved pictures before, like that and open them with "paint" to solve that problem in the past.

I have cheap and dirty DSL (Acanac) and there was no problem loading all that stuff..........did take a minute or so though.
Click to expand...

I made one about a year ago, but me being me I made it bigger and out of larger material. So now its about 120lbs. i will take a picture or it.

The nice line that the file gets saved as is a cool feature.

Google IrfanView and use that as your default picture viewer. It will view the images that Windows 7 does not.
 
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lilredex

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Toronto
You have to over look the vehicles and concentrate on the education the guy offers. They look at stuff very differently over there.

Most of you are probably not old enough to have experienced the original British Invasion (no not the Beatles). In the mid fifties we began seeing stuff such as Morris, Austin, Vauxhall on our roads and most were the Kings of the oil burners and other disasters. I worked around garages while going to school and we had much of that come in (nobody was fond of them, just tolerated them) They faded away after about ten years, much to the relief of most.
 
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PCO6

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Dec 25, 2008
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Location
Newmarket, Ontario
Thanks for posting that bigblue. I enjoy sheet metal work and have long realized that for a lot of it you don't need sophisticated tools. That guy got a LOT done with very little. I really like his "TBMW Open Source Bender" and will definately be making one.

Cardboard Aided Design (CAD) - That's a new one to me. I'm going to use that one too. :lol:
 
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PCO6

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Newmarket, Ontario
lilredex said:
You have to over look the vehicles and concentrate on the education the guy offers. They look at stuff very differently over there.
Click to expand...
That's very true. Years ago I had a few British friends that were restoring mid 50's 4 dr. Rileys. They were kind of nerdy. I was the cool guy - I was restoring an MGA! Those guys were unbelievably determined. They would start hammering on things while I was still scratching my head figuring out what my next move would be. I learned a lot from those 2 guys.
 
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Kevin54

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Urbana, Ohio
That guy does it like it used to be done. Using skill and hand tools.:thumbup: Not too many people doing that today as far as metal working goes. I'm also liking the homemade sheetmetal brake.

I did notice that he called vise grips, "mole grips" and what I call a joggle die he called it a "joddle". Is that the proper terminology across the pond for those tools?
 
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dazcapri

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Mar 18, 2011
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76
Location
durham uk
Kevin54 said:
That guy does it like it used to be done. Using skill and hand tools.:thumbup: Not too many people doing that today as far as metal working goes. I'm also liking the homemade sheetmetal brake.

I did notice that he called vise grips, "mole grips" and what I call a joggle die he called it a "joddle". Is that the proper terminology across the pond for those tools?
Click to expand...
over here they're known as mole grips, some people say joddle some say joggle I say joddle it.s possibly a regional thing as the guy only lives a few miles from me. He's well known on the forum those pictures are from as the go to guy for advice on body work. Check him out on his own site at www.tonybmw.co.uk
 
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Hammer1963

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Kentucky
afazz said:
I'm impressed!! I have done some rust repair patch panels, but this guy makes me look like a hack!
Click to expand...

I hate to say it on here, but I was like "ok, what's the big deal" I take a lot for granted I suppose when it comes to that type of work. Hell, I'm too lazy to take pics and post them, what can I say !
 
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lilredex

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Hammer1963........

Can understand how you might think this way, as you probably do this everyday and it would be "old hat" and nothing new.

But.........for the rest of us dolts, who may only do this kind of work every couple of years or so, we never really get proficient at it because each time we begin a new project we need to re-learn what we already knew before. And there it starts all over. So, when we see somebody that has generously spent all that time educating us.........we simply have to say thank-you!

I have been at this kind of stuff since the mid fifties, even spending some free time in a body shop while going to school, and have a looong way to go, before reaching any proficiency in that field.

This is a project (wife's old Dodge van) which is unlikely to see the finish line this year. It is good enough for now, but you can see those pieces need some refinement, maybe even re-doing.



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I'm sure you didn't intend this thread to end with a sour note.........why not start a new one with pictures of your work so you can educate us too. I'm sure you have lots to offer.
 
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dazcapri

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durham uk
lilredex said:
Hammer1963........

Can understand how you might think this way, as you probably do this everyday and it would be "old hat" and nothing new.

But.........for the rest of us dolts, who may only do this kind of work every couple of years or so, we never really get proficient at it because each time we begin a new project we need to re-learn what we already knew before. And there it starts all over. So, when we see somebody that has generously spent all that time educating us.........we simply have to say thank-you!

I have been at this kind of stuff since the mid fifties, even spending some free time in a body shop while going to school, and have a looong way to go, before reaching any proficiency in that field.

This is a project (wife's old Dodge van) which is unlikely to see the finish line this year. It is good enough for now, but you can see those pieces need some refinement, maybe even re-doing.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I'm sure you didn't intend this thread to end with a sour note.........why not start a new one with pictures of your work so you can educate us too. I'm sure you have lots to offer.
Click to expand...
I'd like to see a thread from you as well I find this type of thing very interesting probably because I'm so rubbish at it.
 
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lilredex

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dazcapri.....

Don't have anything going at the present, other than that small project above.

Some past projects (hardly in the amazing class) are here if there is interest....

 
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Hammer1963

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Kentucky
I knew as soon as I hit submit, I would offend someone. My apologies to anyone who may have found it offensive.

Yes I have done a tremondous amount of this type of work over the past 20 years. That's why I stated " I take a lot for granted " I've never been into taking photos of my work, so most isn't documented and I have already killed one high dollar phone/camera due to exposure of metal fragment contamination.

I love to fabricate new pieces for repair areas, but most of my work over the last dozen or so years, has been concentrated on late model collision repair. Most of the metal repair is of the straightening nature vs rust repair. That being said, just this last week, I did make a replacement "B" pillar panel for a new M37 Infiniti that had been severely damaged. If it has rust or severe panel damage, I end up with it. Most Techs won't touch this type of damage these days. It's all about the all mighty dollar for those guys.

My best advice is to keep it clean and don't be afraid of taking a leap of faith on patch panel projects. Look at it this way, if the area to be repaired is ugly now & more than likely exposing some part of the vehicle to the eliments, then you don't have a lot to loose. Keep this in mind, when cutting, grinding and welding, you will be creating vast amounts of heat, so be sure to use an anti corrosive on the back side of the repalcement material to help make the post priming/painting much easier. Another thought is this: If you are using a mig welder, you have a supply of filler/replacement metal to fill the voids created during the process. So if you remember this, your amount of plastic filler will be on the low side. Not that there is anything wrong with using Plastic filler provided it is used correctly. But use GOOD stuff. You'll be glad you did.

One topic I am interested in possibly posting in the future, is Plastic repair. I see alot of Plastic bumper covers and other items get thrown in the trash due to the fact that most Techs really don't have a clue of how to tackle that kind of work. Sad but true. Personally, I like the challenge of taking these parts and making them new-now and doing it with little or no filler. That's the challenge guys, doing it with minimal fillers.

I have had several request by other GJ members to post some of my work. I will attemot to do so. Generally speaking, once I get involved with a project, whether it be body repair or working on restoring/creating forged body tools, I get so involved with the project, I forget about pictures.
 
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onewaydave

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Down the road from Dorothy and Toto
Hammer, that would be the cat's meow. A couple of years ago I loaned my '98 Trans/Am to a step daughter. It came back with the passengers side rear bumper skin hanging. It's been hanging on with mylar packing tape since. BTW, that stuff is great and doesn't leave the residue like duct tape does.

I would like to know how to fix this before I sell it, so if you do a tutorial, I will follow with interest.

x2 lilredex. In fact there was a poster responding to a question on this section not too long ago that floored me. I didn't know this type of work could be done.

Dave.
 
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Hammer1963

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onewaydave said:
Hammer, that would be the cat's meow. A couple of years ago I loaned my '98 Trans/Am to a step daughter. It came back with the passengers side rear bumper skin hanging. It's been hanging on with mylar packing tape since. BTW, that stuff is great and doesn't leave the residue like duct tape does.

I would like to know how to fix this before I sell it, so if you do a tutorial, I will follow with interest.

x2 lilredex. In fact there was a poster responding to a question on this section not too long ago that floored me. I didn't know this type of work could be done.

Dave.
Click to expand...

I will try to document my next bumper repair and take pics along the way. Note, it's a short week of work being Thanksgiving, so it may not be within the week, but I will do my best
 
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JeepsAreBuilt

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Nov 24, 2006
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The Beautiful NorthWest
Hammer1963 - I'd like to see a documentary of bumper repairs from you as well. I do fix them myself at work quite often, and would like to reap on any new ideas or techniques. When it comes to bumper repair for me.. I have no other way to learn how to repair them but from my own experience.. as self taught and trial and error. Basically I use heating to restore the shape, some expoy and mesh to repair tears. One type of damage I have been having problems repairing is when the bumper stretches. I had a mini van rear bumper, and the impact was right under the rear re-bar and it pretty much streched it out quite a bit. I used heat to form the shape.. but could not get the high spots out and had to cut it and cave it in. I was dissapointed in that repair.. as I usually can reshape them well enough and sand them down for minimal filler if any at all.
 
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lilredex

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bigbluerigak said:
Google IrfanView and use that as your default picture viewer. It will view the images that Windows 7 does not.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I downloaded it. Will have to ride it around the block a few times before it can assume first place though. Most of my picture manipulation involves cropping and adding text which is easy to do with Windows Live Gallery and Paint. Will give your suggestion a workout........Thanks.
 
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SoL from Sweden

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Aug 17, 2010
Messages
97
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Sweden
lilredex said:
Hammer1963........

Can understand how you might think this way, as you probably do this everyday and it would be "old hat" and nothing new.

But.........for the rest of us dolts, who may only do this kind of work every couple of years or so, we never really get proficient at it because each time we begin a new project we need to re-learn what we already knew before. And there it starts all over. So, when we see somebody that has generously spent all that time educating us.........we simply have to say thank-you!

I have been at this kind of stuff since the mid fifties, even spending some free time in a body shop while going to school, and have a looong way to go, before reaching any proficiency in that field.

This is a project (wife's old Dodge van) which is unlikely to see the finish line this year. It is good enough for now, but you can see those pieces need some refinement, maybe even re-doing.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I'm sure you didn't intend this thread to end with a sour note.........why not start a new one with pictures of your work so you can educate us too. I'm sure you have lots to offer.
Click to expand...


i cant really understand what im looking at? why all the screws? dont have a welder? why so small pieces?
i dont get it...
 
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tkbowman

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Jan 19, 2008
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53
Location
Burien, WA
I made one of those little devices a few days ago using some 1/8" x 2" x 2" angle iron I have on hand. When I get it painted I'll post a picture. I did substitute eye bolts for the lock down bolts.
 
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z28snksknr

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Jul 8, 2009
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Turnersville, NJ
That link and the extensive pics are an inspiration to someone like me that thought i needed a crapload of tools and a well appointed shop to attempt some of that stuff. I counted maybe 3-4 tools in the first 100 pics I think!!

Thanks for sharing!!!
 
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