How do you make a radiused wheeltub? - Lateral-g Forums

dave96dcm · #1 07-10-2011, 05:58 PM

Do you use a beadroller and roll a radius onto the "vertical" part? I was thinking that would be how because if you do the other part you would have to shrink the entire edge, I have a mittler bros beadroller but no radius dies, what is recommended?

The WidowMaker · #2 07-10-2011, 07:40 PM

i did mine the hard way. i started with a 4" strip, rounded it over with a form that had been radiused, shrunk the edge to get the shape close, and then used a puck/form to get it the rest of the way. once i had the sides i used a flat sheet to close in the top and sides. mine werent as nice as the pro shops, but it was my first effort.

badmatt · #3 07-11-2011, 03:36 PM

depending on how big and wide you need id honestly start with a set of plain ole trailer fenders. have a nice clean 1" radii and cost like 12 bucks and are 16GA material and most tractor supply stores have them! but again just my opinion.

dave96dcm · #4 07-11-2011, 05:18 PM

I work at a sheetmetal shop so it's easier to fabricate them, and I use odd sizes, I just made a 45" diameter set out of aluminum for a drag car running 38 inch tires, I run the laser at my day job so cutting anything is easy for me. Thanks for the idea though.

That really does look like the hard way, came out good though

chevyIIpost · #5 07-13-2011, 10:35 AM

I did mine hammer form style and with only 2 pieces of sheet metal. I made a buck from MDF board shaped and sized to the piece I wanted. I use a router and a large radius bit on the buck. There more pictures in my Photobucket that is linked in my profile.

Streetwerkz · #6 07-13-2011, 02:35 PM

We use the hammer form method also same as chevyIIpost

I would suggest this video, it has a wealth of knowledge on how to shape metal with basic tools.

http://www.metalshapingzone.com/

dave96dcm · #7 07-13-2011, 04:37 PM

That's a great idea with the MDF buck, do you use a polyurethane hammer or a body hammer? Did you have to shrink or anything?

Thanks for the replies

The WidowMaker · #8 07-13-2011, 06:53 PM

Quote:

That's a great idea with the MDF buck

i did the same for my buck. i made my thick enough that i could route both sides since i didht have a symetrical tub and i couldnt just use one side.

im amazed at how well that turned out without shrinking. wish i would have seen that before.

chevyIIpost · #9 07-14-2011, 06:00 AM

The only Shrinking/Stretching I did on mine was for the flange where it attached the the stock panels. I did make two bucks but the inner buck from the right side will be the outer buck for the left side.

dave96dcm · #10 07-26-2011, 07:07 PM

Thanks for all the ideas.