2011 at the Hammond Barn

[Bob Carriere]

I can always ask......BUT.....

....... who will show me how to use it.....?

.....working on soft aluminum compare to 12 gauge CMP fenders is VERY different......

..... I have seen 3 day course offered in the US for $1000..... and they are beginners courses.......

......... I fear you need some natural instinct..... like an artistic flair..... like a scupture would have......

....tried my hand at body work years ago...... with tons of bondo....finally got one side fender done smooth..... real nice........ but was never able to do a matching reverse curve on the opposite fender.......

....... I will admit to my limitations...... that is why I love working CMPs....sheet metal is thick.... easier to butt weld..... you can use a big hammer and work out your frustrations..... most panels are flat...... original welding is not always neat ..... so easy to surpass in what we do..... most bends are 45 or 90 degrees.....

I actually used a large English wheel at Centennial college in the 80s..... teacher was an old panel beater from England.... tons of sheet metal tools had been donated to the college by a patron ...... the English wheel was a massive cast C shape device that was over 8 feet tall.... in 3 months I did manage to make a boat shaped spare tire wheel well for a 39 Desoto.... from 6 seperate small sheet metal pieces....... not really applicable to CMPs but it was fun.

Ah to be young again......

Bob