about my on line name

[shaper]

Some of the members have ask me about my on line name of (shaper). I use it because I shape sheet metal into things like, antique airplane parts, antique car parts, anything in metal that has compound shape and form. I invite you to click on this site to see the albums I made to help new metalshapers to learn more about the almost forgoten art of metal shaping.


http://allshops.org/cgi-bin/community/communityalbums.cgi?ownerid=9990123472237

[starmac]

Ah a metal artist, That makes sense, and it truly is becoming a lost art in this plastic throw away world. It's great you guys are keeping it somewhat alive, it has always facinated me to no end what a guy that knew metal could with rollers and hammers.

[waynem34]

Very nice.I kind of fancy my self as a shaper.I installed standing seam tin and copper roofing for many years the old fashion way, with a wood malet and seaming iron.Some of the tools where 100 years older than me.I know what you do is different and bet you enjoy it.Going to check out more of your albums.Thanks for posting.

[wch]

Fascinating.

[shaper]

Sorry, I forgot to mention there is a text to most of the pictures. Just click on each picture to see it.

[waynem34]

Hey shaper what is p4160094.jpg in album S-N-F 2007.I going to take a guess and say some kind of an extruder.Still checking out the photos.Some cool planes too.

[shaper]

waynem34 It's a picture of a hand operated portable pneumatic shrinking tool. Enlarge the picture and you can see the jaws better. There are 4 jaws, 2 on top and 2 on the bottom. The jaws have a rough face and it grabs the metal and pushes the molicules of the metal together. It will gather the edge together causing the edge to shrink . Shrinking the edge is the only way to make things like a bowl or the edge of a fender.

[Goatwhiskers]

Shaping metal is an art. Saw a fellow on TV the other day that does the fine art version. It's called repousse', he works with copper sheet from the back side, tapping and hammering with various hammers and punches creating a picture on the front side, portraits, animals, whatever. When properly done it looks quite real. Sure wish I had that kind of talent. GW

[waynem34]

Everything from fine arts to roofing i guess.

[shaper]

well, I don't do roofing but I do teach metal shaping in my shop. All it takes is about one hour to give you confidence that you can build a motorcycle gas tank in one week end.

[starmac]

Oh I have no problem building a motorcycle gas tank in a weekend, but finding someone that would use it on their scooter would take some doing. lol

[runfiverun]

i'd get the shape right and it would even fit the frame...... I dunno if it would hold any gas or not.
and i'd probably forget to put a threaded outlet in and a place for the gas cap....

[arjacobson]

pure artistry...I'm jealous!

[shaper]

If I can do it, anybody can do it85180

[Bullshop Junior]

That's pretty cool. I spend a lot of time welding and fabricating. Mostly because I'm too cheap to buy what I need and I really enjoy it.

[JeffinNZ]

There sure is a lot of time put into making stuff like that radiator in your link.

When you said you were a metal shaper I immediately assumed you owned a Lee bottom pour pot.

[shaper]

jeffinnz The Lee bottom pour is on the top of my wish list.
By the way, I was in the north of your country in 1965, loved it. We took a couple of F4C aircraft to the opening cerimonies of the Auckland International Airport. I was the crew chief then.

[waksupi]

Fascinating work! I made a gas tank for an old minibike years ago. Looked a lot like a Coleman gas can, with duct tape mounting.

[Baja_Traveler]

I love doing metal work, but nowhere near the talent you have. Nice pics..

If you here in San Diego, everybody would just assume you made surfboards - they go by the same handle...