Does anyone have any references to books or online sources which describe how to form sheet metal into compound curves?
The project is to fabricate some half hoops, about 30 inches in diameter and a steeper curve, about 3 inches radius, at 90 degrees to the larger radius. The width will be about 3 inches, with the edges folded or rolled over. Picture a shape something like a narrow motorcycle fender, or a bicycle fender.
Hi Ted, have a look at metalshapers.org
Here are a few more places- they sell tools, books, videos, and even teach workshops. These are three of the top guys in the world- each one amazing in his own right, and very honorable. I have studied with Ron Fournier, and the man is a wizard.
This is a lifelong pursuit- with training, you can pick up quite a bit in a few day workshop, but the pros have been doing this for 20 or 30 or 50 years- its a real craft, so dont expect to get perfect results first try.
Saw the coolest thing on TV a couple weeks back on one of those 'motorcycle buildoff' shows. Guy made a device that looked like a super wide ring roller. It had specially machined rollers that formed both radii at the same time to make motorcycle fenders from sheet. Neato.
--Winston
On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 20:42:11 GMT, with neither quill nor qualm, Ted Bennett quickly quoth:
Look for books on English Wheels, too.
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