Inner Fender Well Repair

More of an art than a science - discuss metalworking and welding here.



Settled In
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2017 3:40 pm
Location: Texas
Country:
USA
PostPosted: Tue Nov 20, 2018 9:57 am
Can someone please give me some advice on fabbing up a patch for this inner fender well? My plan is to cut about 3 inches of material in an arch above where it has rusted out, that's the easy part. Where I need advice, including appropriate tools, is what about the flat section where the fender and inner fender well meet and spot weld together? What machine or technique should be used to accomplish this? A metal break wont break on an arch but will an English wheel make an even, almost 90 degree arched bend? I would appreciate some guidance.


Thanks,


TXPower
Attachments
IMG_2251.JPG



Settled In
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2017 3:40 pm
Location: Texas
Country:
USA
PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 2:00 pm
No one's got any advice or experience on this?

Thanks,

TXPower



No Turning Back
Posts: 977
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:58 pm
PostPosted: Wed Nov 21, 2018 6:20 pm
I almost exclusively work on one mark only, and have parts cars, so I haven't gotten into metal shaping with machines, but I just wanted to say that I wouldn't cut any metal out yet so you can use that as your pattern for the new patch. You could probably do it in smaller pieces without the machines.

User avatar

Settled In
Posts: 90
Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:59 pm
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Country:
Canada
PostPosted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 3:53 pm
TXPower wrote:Can someone please give me some advice on fabbing up a patch for this inner fender well? My plan is to cut about 3 inches of material in an arch above where it has rusted out, that's the easy part. Where I need advice, including appropriate tools, is what about the flat section where the fender and inner fender well meet and spot weld together? What machine or technique should be used to accomplish this? A metal break wont break on an arch but will an English wheel make an even, almost 90 degree arched bend? I would appreciate some guidance.


Thanks,


TXPower


The best advice I've been given about such things has been that when things get complicated, uncomplicate them.
If you take a piece of metal and bend it, the outside stretch's, the bottom compresses, and the middle remains unchanged.
If you take a piece of metal and squeeze it, it thins and displaces.
I have a home made English wheel. I'm constantly learning that you don't need it as your skills and understanding of metal movement works. Because as a tool, it has a place of use, but is limited to still what it can do. Your panel in my opinion will best be repaired through old fashion metal working.
Hammer and dolly I've found can beat and stretch a piece of metal into a very intricate shape.
When faced with a complicated shape to be formed, smaller pieces welded together makes things less complicated. I've attached a few pictures to show such an effort.
None required an English wheel. I hope this helps you?
Attachments
IMG_2907.JPG
Jan 2011 178.jpg
Jan 2011 015.jpg
Jan 2011 183.jpg



Top Contributor
Posts: 6213
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:17 pm
Location: Pahrump NV.
Country:
USA
PostPosted: Fri Dec 07, 2018 10:58 am
I would get a New repop of the piece IF available and cut the repair piece from that OR better Find a Good Used Part replace whole part OR again cut repair piece from the new used one.
I personally don't Like Re-pop parts most are close to originals but leave a lot to be desired most all are only good for cutting up and using for Patch panels in my opinion.

If a Re-Pop Part isn't available and You have to Hand form the Piece as Chevman said FIRST start by Making a Paper Pattern or template of the part, From that you can make most any part you need Hammer formed over Hard wood or Pieces of steel.

Here is a good video on making a Paper template:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCRpVqle_ck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q0IJR7lvV0

From there its just Cut, Bend, shrink and stretch a piece of sheet metal to make most any part you need.
If you need help on how to start metal shaping and it sounds like you do, Well my friend your in for a whole new World of learning. There are many Forums dedicated to Metal shaping "Metalmeet.com" comes to mind as does many other's. another good quick source is You Tube it has literally thousands of videos on the subject some good some BAD that will get you started Lazze is a Good one he has hundreds of How too vids on the subject. Have fun.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.



Settled In
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Dec 05, 2017 3:40 pm
Location: Texas
Country:
USA
PostPosted: Fri Dec 07, 2018 12:36 pm
Doright and noelc, thanks for the responses.

TXPower



Top Contributor
Posts: 6213
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:17 pm
Location: Pahrump NV.
Country:
USA
PostPosted: Tue Dec 25, 2018 10:37 am
TXPower wrote:Can someone please give me some advice on fabbing up a patch for this inner fender well? My plan is to cut about 3 inches of material in an arch above where it has rusted out, that's the easy part. Where I need advice, including appropriate tools, is what about the flat section where the fender and inner fender well meet and spot weld together? What machine or technique should be used to accomplish this? A metal break wont break on an arch but will an English wheel make an even, almost 90 degree arched bend? I would appreciate some guidance.Thanks,TXPower


Normally No a English wheel would not be used to make this piece, My first choice would be a Wood form and Hammer form over it over Hard wood.
OR
I would start on a Metal Box Break to make the 90 then go to the Metal Shrinker / Stretcher OR use a Bead Roller with a Tipping wheel die Maybe.
I don't have a Bead roller YET! Its on my list of must have tools though latter this year maybe I will get one.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.

Return to Welding & Metal Fab

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 33 guests