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europaflyer
10th Feb 2009, 15:26
Is it possible to make double curvature skin components (eg. cowlings, wing etc.) without heavy machinery or ultra-expensive tools? How good are the results?

(nutter interested in replica Spitfires with compound curved wings!)

airfoilmod
10th Feb 2009, 16:13
And a superb "touch" and eyeball. That gets it done, Spitfire.

privateer01
10th Feb 2009, 16:15
Airfoilmod beat me to it

English wheel.

Takes a bit of Skill tho....:ok:

Hot 'n' High
10th Feb 2009, 16:25
Certainly is europaflier! However, you do need to know the right bloke! Certainly I have seen what can best be described as "works of art" being formed by some highly skilled sheet metal workers using quite basic tools. The quality very much depends on the bloke - it is all down to "skill of hand" and experience :O. I do know that some car makers (Morgan for example) still make their cars by hand and, while "Double Curvature" work is not explicitly shown in the link below, they would certainly have that capability there. Enjoy some real Engineering!!!

H 'n' H

The Morgan Motor Company (http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/production/index.html)

And others have supplied the name of the bit of kit needed!

Rainboe
10th Feb 2009, 18:04
You see metal beaters sitting with crossed legs banging out panels for Ambassador cars in Bombay using just a hammer and a solid metal anvil. Seems to be the standard method of manufacture (mind you, it looks like it).

europaflyer
11th Feb 2009, 07:24
Thanks everyone, that's all really helpful.