3 Minute Motorcycle Aluminum Cafe Seat Metal Shaping

[@islandupcyclery3432]

Hi, First off... AMAZING WORK! what is the pneumatic tool you used to smooth out the aluminum?

[@legendarydave333]

I’m using a Danair palm hammer.

[@iwbuck]

Right where I need to be. Now to get a shrinker and the palm tool

[@DavidLee-kb3mi]

thanks for the great demo, is that all cold forming and if so what aluminum and thickness is it? looking to give this a shot myself, thanks.

[@legendarydave333]

16 ga. Soft aluminum. 1100 or 3003 Works best.

[@DavidLee-kb3mi]

@@legendarydave333 Thanks, I have some scrap 5052, 0.100", is that too thick to shape for a gas tank? Just ordered myself a sand bag and some bossing mallets to give it a whirl.

[@legendarydave333]

@@DavidLee-kb3mi That's too heavy from my experience. I've used everything from .090 to .050. .050 will work if you're careful but depending over the end shape, you may "break thru" as aluminum gets work hardened. Use 1/16" or 16 ga. I started out doing it the conventional way with bad results until I started making my female bucks from fiberglass at least 3/8" thick with a flange to clamp the metal to. The conventional method need a male buck to compare it's shape. Good luck with a hammer but I used a palm hammer with a hard rubber tip.

[@spiritofkintsugi]

Bro my seat reqll heats up. Any advice on what to do

[@legendarydave333]

Not sure I understand the question...Please clarify.

[@spiritofkintsugi]

@@legendarydave333 the engine heat get the metal work under my seat hot and it get uncomfortable

[@legendarydave333]

@@spiritofkintsugi Put a plywood base under the seat area to insulate and put a metal baffle under that if you determine the heat source too hot for the plywood.... Make sure it isn't near any high heat sources like exhaust pipes...

[@spiritofkintsugi]

@@legendarydave333 thankyou so much this was really helpful 🙏

[@PaulStalenberg]

Hi there,great video thank you for showing your ways and approach on a part like this! What materials do you use to make the inner part of the mold? Thanks for showing your awesome work.greetings from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@legendarydave333]

I 3-d print the form. I will have more on that in upcoming videos. Please subscribe and like to keep these videos coming.

[@PaulStalenberg]

@@legendarydave333 Ooh really I didn't aspect that! I would not have thought that it would be strong enough to hamer on.Do you use strong pla or petg?

[@legendarydave333]

@@PaulStalenberg the hybrid PLA has ABS as well as PET-G. The strength depends on which direction you layer it and how thick. Mine are between 3/8” and 5/8”. That depends on overall size of the tool. It takes days and sometimes over a week to print these solid.

[@PaulStalenberg]

@@legendarydave333 thanks you very much for taking the time to answer my questions and sharing your methods and techniques with us🙏👍

[@legendarydave333]

I’ll be doing upcoming videos where I show different methods for making the tool form. You could also make the form thinner and back it up with filled epoxy or urethane hard plastic to cut down on the printing time.

[@CalvinRonk-ft3ej]

Sorry to hear that

[@dragonflyfab9703]

Is there a difference between a male buck vs a female form?

[@legendarydave333]

A male buck only tells you your part is either the correct shape or not. The female buck is a tool you actually form your metal into.

[@CalvinRonk-ft3ej]

Do you have a seat pan buck you would sell?

[@legendarydave333]

Sorry, Bidenomics shut down our shop. I had to liquidate.

[@tony2227]

@@legendarydave333 omg I thought something happened to you I was really worry there for a second .. I am glad you are good ….question I am ignorant truck driver that loves motorcycles … what’s the metal thing that gives shapes to the sheet called? Do you make it it or you buy it? I am talking the piece thick metal piece that you hammer the metal into

[@ODTriumph]

What gauge aluminum do you work with?

[@legendarydave333]

I’ve found .062 or 16 ga to work best. I have used .050 for smaller parts.

[@ODTriumph]

@@legendarydave333 Thank you. Is that all 6061? I have been learning to weld aluminum. I bought a large lot of aluminum off of an artist moving out of town. I have a lot of sheet aluminum and I even have aluminum I-Beams.

[@legendarydave333]

Actually to properly shape these you have to anneal it down to “0” softness. Please go to my videos and watch “Annealing Aluminum”. That will point out the different useable alloys for shaping.

[@ODTriumph]

@@legendarydave333 You are awesome. I will subscribe to your channel, its fantastic.