Tag: sheet metal

Dear Welder Series… Unhole Tip

Dear Welder Series…
I tried to attach these to the review but it wouldn’t let me. I found that if I used a step drill and drilled the finish dia of the plug (5/8″) 1/2 way thru it left enough shelf to support the plug and was tight enough to fuse with the TIG.
I hope this helps,
Jim

Dear Jim…
Great idea! I hope someone else sees this and is able to make use of it. I always find it a bit of a hitch in my step when the next size on the step drill isn’t quite far enough away to go through the whole thickness of the material, and it leaves a lip that needs to be removed… this idea almost redeems that :).

Making a compound curve pattern

Garry Thomson of Thomson Metalworks stopped by the shop today and continued to take some measurements off the ’32.  A logical question would be “why does he need ’32 Ford measurements?”  Quick answer: Garry is building an aluminum ’32 coupe.  I don’t want to take too much time describing it, because I’m hoping to get some in progress shots in the near future.  Other than saying it’s very impressive, there’s not much to say… it’s very impressive.

Garry started with regular low-tack decal paper.  It doesn’t stretch at all, and it’s easy to remove.

He covered the area he wanted to create a template from.

After the sign paper, he added a layer of fiberglass tape to hold the shape.  It also doesn’t stretch.

With two layers of fiberglass tape over the sign tape, he was able to remove the template.  Now he has a perfect reproduction of the corner, and he can lay it over the aluminum as it’s worked so he knows if he has any low spots.