need a jump start

[filipvdv]

i'm puzzled how i could make this shape out of metal. When you look at it, you could compare it to a soup plate. do i start hammering onto a flat piece of metal, or build myself some mold, really donno

would like to give it a try since these things look so simple, but cost a fortune

thank you for any tips

 

[Wastedwagesracing]

 

[Lippyp]

You could do it by hand with mallets and a sandbag, dome stake etc but it'll take hours and hours of work to get it even vaguely symetrical. That will have been pressed out on a massive hydraulic press using top and bottom tooling to make the shape.

 

[Jack Olsen]

It is spun or stamped.

In your shoes, I would find a very shallow stainless serving bowl or pizza pan. Less than ten bucks, probably, and stainless will hold up to weather.

 

[rburke65]

Like everything in life, it all looks easy until you try it. That's why they are called professionals, craftsmen, and artisans.

 

[Jack Burton]

Aliens helped them make it. It was modeled after one of the mother-ships.

I agree with the others, looks stamped. If I had to make a replica, I'd try turning it out of aluminum or casting it from brass.

A panel beater could do it out of annealed aluminum with a sandbag, template and corking tools and then smooth it on a planishing hammer. That's difficult work, requiring years of experience. Not too many of these guys around.