Pietenpol-List: Firewall shaping

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 9:12 pm

Original Posted By: ZigoDan(at)aol.com
I have looked through the archive pictures and see some of the firewallmetal having been shaped with what I will call a rolled edge about 1/2"wide. I can figure on how to bend the straight edges on the sides andbottom. But, as usual, I can't figure how to roll the curved edge at thetop of the firewall and make it look nice. Do you need special tools or isthis something that can be done at home.Thanks, Ted________________________________________________________________________________

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 10:40 pm

Original Posted By: "Bert Conoly"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Firewall shapingTed,Use a metal stretcher or expander, neat little devices. Try to borrow one they are somewhat expensive. But you can take a piece of straight angle and make it curved.Dan________________________________________________________________________________

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 11:37 pm

Original Posted By: "Ted Brousseau"
Ted:Tony Bingelis' book has a neat way to do it. You do it by drilling a bunchholes inone leg of the angle and bending it around. If I can remember (I have CRSdisease you know)I'll copy it and mail to you (oops, copyright infringement) I'll call youand tell you about it.Bert.----- Original Message -----

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 6:59 pm

Original Posted By:
Dan,Think you are talking about a metal "shrinker" neat tool that actuallygrabs the metal and pushes it together to make that section shorter. The"jaws" are about 1" deep, to kind of work on a flange or angle piece tocurve it.Have it on loan from my mentor.walt----- Original Message -----

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Thu Feb 20, 2003 10:37 pm

Original Posted By: clif
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Firewall shapingWalt,Sounds right, I just couldn't figure out how to spell "shinker", so I looked it up in a Wag Aero catalog and it said stretcher.PS these guys talking about Tony Bingels way must have never seen the nice job a shinker will do. However I do realize the tool is expensive, and hacksaws, and drills are not making Tony's way a little more feasible for most.Dan________________________________________________________________________________Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2003 01:51:16 -0800

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 11:52 am

Original Posted By: "clif"
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matronics · Post by **matronics** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 4:18 pm

Original Posted By: ZigoDan(at)aol.com
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Firewall shapingHold on your brother did not build a metal shinker out of Cleco pliers? But he may have built some fluting, or crimping pliers. There is a big difference, with fluting pliers you get a ripple to the metal edge. What I have been talking about that makes the best and most professional look is a shinker-stretcher, and it has special powerful jaws. I have the AS catalog with the Luscombe on the front, on page 460 look at the Original Lancaster metal former and tell me if your brother really made one of these? If so my hat is off to him.Dan________________________________________________________________________________

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 4:21 pm

Original Posted By: "walter evans"
Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: another windshield QDick,Do not heat form it, bend it in a sheet metal brake. It bends just metal, try it on scrap in a vice. If you do not have a brake, go to a local Heating and Air duct shop and use theirs.Dan________________________________________________________________________________

matronics · Post by **matronics** » Fri Feb 21, 2003 7:43 pm

Original Posted By: Jim Malley