Metal fabricator's

[silver09]

I'm getting started building a gas tank for a custom chopper I'm building Not my k9. Just wanted know if anybody has built a tank without a planishing hammer I've got a good start going on the English wheel but I need a little more curve in the edges to make everything mesh up better. So before I start trying it with a hammer and messing up my work I thought I would ask my big dog brother's instead of asking on another forum.

 

[stryfox]

I have. It was very difficult to get the results I was looking for.
I spent a lot of time on the bag. I would mount difftent dollies in the vice and hammer it out by hand. It took too long but it is doable.

 

[Raywood]

Are you starting with just tins or adapting another tank?

 

[K9Anniv]

FYI, here's another good place to check for custom fabricating advice & ideas:

Metal Working Forum - Club Chopper Forums

 

[silver09]

Starting from nothing just a big piece of aluminum and a english wheel. the only problem im having is getting the edges to turn down without messin up the shape of the middle. Im figuring a planisher will do the trick but if i get a knowledge how to do the edges by hand ill do that.

 

[stryfox]

Wow I have never made anything that big out of aluminum.
Please share some pics of your progress.
I use a torch to anneal steel when working it.
I really don't have that much experience shaping thin aluminum.
With patience you would be suprised how much gap you can make up with a tig.

 

[silver09]

Yeah i was going to make it from steel because i dont have a high frequency box so i can just tig stainless and mild steel but i've got a friend thats going to weld it for me. And i figured aluminum would be easier to shape.

 

[Moespeeds]

Have you tried a small trailer ball hitch? I have a backer bar that does tight radiuses, but generally speaking the less time you spend on the planishing hammer the more time you spend with bondo. HF sells a cheapo planishing hammer, it's only like $75 or something.

 

[silver09]

I think im going to have to get a planishing hammer i dont want to coat my tank with alot bondo this is going to be a nice bike with alot of airbrushing done so 'm trying to take my time and do it right.

 

[silver09]

I'm following up on my tank build I just started building a planishing hammer from a old air chisle and engine stand and a number of other things I'll post some pics. Today I cut all my patterns out on a cool world war2 sheet metal shear that a friend owns and started English wheeling on the top piece I'll keep ya'll posted on my progress.