Making the Buck for a Curvy Seat

[@RanouttaTalent]

You are the platonic ideal of a shop teacher patiently teaching a room full of novices to make objects of value. We need an army of you to fill the shops of every high school in America.

[@RonCovell]

I wish we had more shop classes in American high schools - they are pretty rare these days!

[@RanouttaTalent]

@@RonCovell It's a shame that's the case. I just entered my 30s but even when I was in high school, a lot of guys got off to a running start thanks to some solid shop programs. Thanks for your response, and all the great work you've done over the decades. I've learned a lot from you videos

[@hgbugalou]

Amen to that. People that are able to make stuff with thier hands are going to be the doctors and lawyers type jobs in another decade or two.

[@crabmansteve6844]

@@RanouttaTalent If my school had offered a shop class I'd more than likely be in a different profession. I'm an ISP engineer now, but fabrication is my favorite thing in the world.

[@raymond_rayder]

Perfect comment!

[@advicevice]

The Bob Ross of metal working.

[@RonCovell]

I take that as a high compliment!

[@chandurasika]

Thank you Sir. You are one of the greatest teachers of all time

[@RonCovell]

Boy, that's about the best compliment I ever got - thank you so much!

[@AgentWest]

The way those cross stations looked when stacked reminded me of boat hull drawings. You get two grids, one is side view, one is split in half for front/back. Sometimes there would be a split top/bottom view as well. Each grid has outlines of hull cross-section at predetermined points. That made it really easy to copy the shape of the hull for model making and such. And because they were on a grid, you could scale it to anything and basically eyeball each 'station' from there. Grids made it way easier than trying to copy/size it all free-handed.

[@RonCovell]

The 'automotive' style of buck building is a direct derivative from boat hull design, so of course there are many similarities.

[@JustinPaul1st]

If anybody can make simplify buck making for a seat mould its gotta be you RON...many a lesson will surely be learnt...waiting impatiently ☝☝☝

[@RonCovell]

Thanks 👍

[@patrickbrown7491]

We're honoured to see how it's done, a mystery well explained!

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad you liked it. More to come!

[@Mrcaffinebean]

You have a true gift for making complex things very simple. I'm not sure I'll ever make a bomber seat but at some point I'll make something from what I learned in this video!

[@RonCovell]

I hope you do!

[@Akya2120]

I swear, if more people a father like Mr. Covell we would not be facing the wordly crisis we face today.

[@pleun315]

Amen ❤️🙏

[@bgdavenport]

I did have a father like Mr. C. right down to the soothing voice!

[@TheUncleRuckus]

I just watched you on "How it's Made" make this sick custom motorcycle gas tank, so I had to come see if there was a new video. Can't wait for this! 👍👍

[@RonCovell]

Just a few hours to wait!

[@tnyte89]

Sgi

[@garymucher4082]

Knowing that is a great way to make such a seat, seeing it actually built makes it all that much more interesting and easier to understand. Techniques is everything. Thumbs Up!

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked the first video. There will be more to come, for sure!

[@jeffbourne6015]

A fascinating insight and demonstration into producing reverse templates and formers for a contoured seat profile. The simplicity of your methods to replicate the complex geometry were wonderful to watch and learn from. Such ideas and techniques are applicable to other crafts. Many thanks for sharing this video - your skill, attention to detail and clear presentation is most appreciated!!!

[@RonCovell]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@NickToland]

Im an electrician but have learnt so many useful tips and tricks for manufacturing and build from you. Simple is genius!

[@RonCovell]

Wow, thanks!

[@everwolf7727]

Ron it's like you read my mind, looking forward to this one!

[@RonCovell]

I think you'll like it!

[@paulwhiteman3625]

Always a pleasure watching your instructional videos, Sir!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for watching, and for commenting!

[@jerekirkpatrick2092]

Thanks for a great demonstration, as always. I can't wait to see the forming portion. Jere

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much Jere! I appreciate your always watching and commenting on my videos, very much!

[@outsidescrewball]

Late to watching this video which IMO was good as I spent almost as much viewing time as I did reading your responses to comments, lots of info there, thank you for your time/mentoring

[@RonCovell]

I didn't know people spent much time reading my responses to comments- that's good to hear!

[@chasogle4690]

Applied topology, practical excellence! Thanks for the lesson.

[@RonCovell]

Glad it was helpful!

[@timmymartin317]

You are the Bob Ross of sheet metal Sir! Keep up the great work!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks, will do!

[@sjoemie_himself]

Excellent craftsmanship again mr. Covell. I've said it before and I'll say it again, you make these things look so easy by chopping a project like this up into small pieces. Small enough for us mortals to give it a try ourselves 😁 greetings from the Netherlands, Mark

[@RonCovell]

I hope you can find a way to put some of these techniques to use for your own projects!

[@trevsblog]

Another great mini series with lots of project transferable techniques!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much, Trev!

[@nobodynoone2500]

Thanks again for sharing your craft. You leave the world richer with knowledge with each one.

[@RonCovell]

My pleasure!

[@rjman123au1]

Magnificent. Your granular approach, small step by small step gradually unravels the mysteries of the job. Similar to a chess game in space, seeing you at work is so rewarding. I'm sure you inspire a lot of people. Thanks for your videos.

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

[@ltlbuddha]

Love the availability of the patterns. One case in which passing the buck is a good thing

[@RonCovell]

HAH - I am indeed 'passing the buck'!

[@keithharmon2056]

Can't wait . Thanks for all you teach. God bless

[@RonCovell]

Thank you too!

[@tomthompson7400]

How on earth did I miss this ,, looking forwards to seeing it , even though Ive watched your bomber seat build many times .

[@RonCovell]

Well, it's pretty new - launched less than a week ago. I'll have the next sections of this uploaded - in due time. You mentioned seeing my Bomber Seat video, but actually I have three different seats already posted, in addition to this new one - so you might enjoy seeing the others if you haven't already: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g5K9kKeaprWFd7M kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zn-1f2V_jc-qqbs kzbin.info/www/bejne/aIGxnWqHrLqFhtU

[@tomthompson7400]

@@RonCovell Many thanks for the links Ron , you have not yet made a video Ive not enjoyed ,, and Im sure Im not the only one who feels this way.

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad to hear that! More videos on the way.

[@brianbuckle2635]

Awesome info Mr Covell. Can't wait for the forming to begin..

[@RonCovell]

Give me a few weeks to upload the video, but I'm workin' on it right now!

[@mellamojay2]

Looking forward to this. As a beginner, I love the ideas and help.

[@RonCovell]

Awesome, thank you!

[@artursmihelsons415]

It's always great to see old techniques for reproduction metal pieces with step by step explanations! 👍 Excellent video as always!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks! 👍

[@MachiningandMicrowaves]

Looking forward to seeing how this project turns out! Super video as always.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks a bunch, and I'll have more videos before long!

[@northieee]

Even as someone that doesn't work with sheet metal or fabrication I still love watching these videos. Your techniques are so clever, I feel like I'm a better problem solver just watching this lol

[@RonCovell]

Thank you, and I think it's true that the mindset for problem solving in one field can often be used in different arenas!

[@michaelwilliams2593]

It's always Christmas when Fabrication Santa arrives!

[@RonCovell]

I like that thought!

[@cconnon1912]

Ron, thank you so much for passing on your plethora of knowledge. I learned so much from watching his videos. Little things like using the compass to draw an offset line to make the pattern is so simple but genius.

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I remember what an impression it made on me when someone showed me that technique for the first time!

[@akemisaita8824]

Ron, I simply love your videos, since those old vhs tapes. Always nice, calm and concise information. Looking forward on this one!

[@RonCovell]

VHS - my gosh - that was in the LAST CENTURY! But that's where I started, and I'm actually proud of many of those older video titles.

[@papaspeleo]

Thanks Ron. I am sure that it is going to be good

[@RonCovell]

I hope you can see it when it launches tomorrow!

[@papaspeleo]

@@RonCovell I will see It! I am not a metal worker but I enjoy the methodes that you use. Very insightfull.

[@papaspeleo]

Like i said. Again information that will be useful for generations to come. Thanks for sharing.

[@philtner67]

Mr Rogers, Papa Smurf and Chip Foose walk into a bar..... surprise Ron Covell is bartending with the greatest patience and comforting voice haha. In all seriousness this man is incredible! Love these videos

[@RonCovell]

Well said! How did you know that I 'moonlight' in a bar?

[@-Deena.]

Elegant, logical and sublime as always Ron.🧡

[@RonCovell]

Thank you, Deena - your warm words mean the world to me!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Ron you are a true craftsman, great demo. Thank you for sharing.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much, Randy!

[@toddcott9510]

Another faultless demonstrate. Thanks for posting.

[@RonCovell]

Thank you for your continuing interest in my videos!

[@bobsadogtoo]

You’re the Mr. Rogers of metal shaping. After I watched your first bomber seat and researching them I saw the Porsche seat and I was wanting one. I might try this.

[@RonCovell]

I'm very glad you like my videos, and good luck with your project!

[@antoineteeuwsen]

Thank you Mr. Covell, this helps me a lot on working on my FJ40 landcruiser!

[@RonCovell]

Great to hear!

[@russelljones5294]

thanks for the great video Ron and for making the templates available. i will download a copy and try to make one myself. cheers.

[@RonCovell]

Have fun!

[@johnmolnar2957]

Looking forward to this build .

[@RonCovell]

More on the way - eventually!

[@edilsonlima5985]

Fine job, a suggestion is to use this mold to shape the Vaccum Forming machine with ABS or other plastic with a rigid structure.

[@RonCovell]

That is an excellent idea! I have recently gotten to know an industrial designer who uses vacuum forming extensively for his work, and it has really opened my eyes to the possibilities of this process.

[@ifitsrusteditsmine]

I am always amazed with your craftsmanship.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much!

[@craigclark1773]

I love watching true craftsman work. Your explanations are simple yet they have all the information a viewer would need. Thanks for sharing your talent with us all.

[@RonCovell]

I appreciate your watching, and taking the time to comment!

[@davelowe1977]

You know you're watching a good sheet metal worker when he cuts cardboard with tin snips!

[@RonCovell]

Yes - you'll see me use both tin snips and scissors in this video. I often prefer the tin snips!

[@nobodynoone2500]

@@RonCovell it might just be the human element, but for me, heavy shears lend a sense of control scissors don't.

[@pleun315]

Thank you mister Ron for sharing your talent to the world, always much appreciated ❤️ keep it going please, greetings from the Netherlands

[@RonCovell]

Thank you, I will

[@matameh]

Thank you Mr. Covell

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad you liked it!

[@onepairofhands]

That was super helpful - just working on a buck myself and struggled to get a consistent method of marking out that was accurate…….will copy the master !

[@RonCovell]

I hope some of these techniques will simplify your task!

[@onepairofhands]

i am sure it will help me Ron - many thanks again

[@siberx4]

Your videos have taught me that it can often be very much worth the effort to spend a bit of time earlier in a project planning and building some appropriate jigs/forms/bucks to make your life easier during the actual construction phase, even if you're only making a one-off. It can really take the guesswork out of the process, and makes it much easier to achieve professional-looking results even without years of practice on a given task and a very steady hand. Keep doing what you're doing, I love everything you upload!

[@RonCovell]

Well put, and thanks for watching and posting!

[@russtuff]

Between yourself and Wray, there's no shortage of master classes on KZbin these days. It's fantastic to see so many techniques. Thank you!

[@RonCovell]

Just so you know, I faithfully watch Wray's videos - and I have learned a LOT from them! They truly are master classes!

[@russtuff]

@@RonCovell I've noticed you posting in the comments of some of his videos. Such a cool community 🙂

[@andrewreece3861]

The amount of experience and skill between you guys, coupled with the humility to know there’s always something new to learn is something we can all take a lesson from. Thanks for sharing with us!

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad you enjoy these videos, and take the time to comment!

[@hobbyhermit66]

Making it look easy. You make me want to try it. I don't even have a car that this would fit. Chair, maybe? That said, it would be interesting to see how you would go about making a retro dining set. Table and chairs.

[@RonCovell]

Well, if you don't have a car for a seat like this, you certainly COULD make an office chair! Here's a link for an end table I made a couple of years ago. I don't know if the styling could be called 'retro', but I think you'll find it interesting! www.millerwelds.com/resources/article-library/welding-project-how-to-make-your-own-metal-end-table

[@hobbyhermit66]

@@RonCovell I'll check it out. 👍👍 Love your videos.

[@daos3300]

yes, definitely a chair! the aircraft seat form is very reminiscent of some of the famous mid-century eames dining/office models for example. a metal version would be über cool, especially if offset by some fine wood legs.

[@hamdiklcarslan4435]

Great job as always Mr. Covell Thanks for the videos and information.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for watching!

[@indiankite7358]

True Master at work!

[@RonCovell]

Wow, thanks!

[@RR-mt2wp]

Greatly appreciated video Ron.

[@RonCovell]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dannywilsher4165]

Always a pleasure to watch you create, Mr. Covell!!!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks!

[@Paulman50]

I have to make a fiberglass sunhat for my beach buggy this summer, this idea seems good to make a mold with. Adapting it to fiberglass shouldn't be go difficult.

[@RonCovell]

That's a great idea!

[@coalblack]

Thank you Ron for sharing all the excellent insight and skills with us. Your finesse makes everything you do look easy! Keep em coming!!

[@RonCovell]

Thank you, I will!

[@manuellongo4365]

As usual - a pleasure to watch and informative.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much!

[@codys_fab]

Hey Ron, great video! I've always been curious about how to even start a buck, thanks for sharing some insight.

[@RonCovell]

Yes, this video should give you a lot of insight into the way I do it - but of course other crafters will use other techniques.

[@cad012]

Thank you for this inspiring video and for all tips and tricks I really enjoying it

[@RonCovell]

You are so welcome!

[@trevormoody7871]

Thank you for sharing this was a great video like all of your other ones

[@RonCovell]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@joe1010011010]

Another excellent video Ron, the layout process is so interesting to watch

[@RonCovell]

Great - glad you liked it!

[@marcoMarco-fd8tv]

Signor covell è sempre il migliore!

[@RonCovell]

Grazie mille!

[@waynecreech]

Thank you Ron, I always learn something from your videos. 👍

[@RonCovell]

Cool, thanks!

[@Xpzd]

Thank you for making these detailed videos, always waiting for the next

[@RonCovell]

Glad you like 'em - and more are on the way!

[@joell439]

Thanks Ron for another outstanding tutorial. This is going to be an exciting series that I am so looking forward to watching and learning from. 👍👍😎👍👍

[@RonCovell]

I'm so glad you liked the video. I'm working on the next one right now, but it will be 'a few weeks'!

[@joell439]

@@RonCovell - No worries Ron. I am certain it will be worth the wait.

[@jimmybryan6760]

13:20 - All week long I'm seeing this image in my head and wondering why it looks so familiar. Finally, it's dawned on me; those aluminum ice cube trays we grew up with!

[@RonCovell]

Yes, and old-time egg crates were made this way, too.

[@temyraverdana6421]

Another wondeful incredible video. Thanks a lot for share your skill

[@RonCovell]

So nice of you!

[@Brrrap743]

Another great tutorial Ron!

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked it!

[@StephanCRF1100]

Thank you Sir, for the video. Very helpfull and entertaining.

[@RonCovell]

So glad you enjoyed it, and took the time to comment!

[@johnmathews3027]

Very nice work, Great video, thanks for sharing

[@RonCovell]

Thank you very much!

[@mauriciodelgado1]

Un verdadero arte ése molde, gracias señor

[@RonCovell]

¡Me alegra que te guste!

[@ptonpc]

Always interesting to watch you videos. It gives me ideas.

[@RonCovell]

I hope they are good ideas!

[@papergatorzfedducca7998]

Let’s get it!!!🔥🔥🔥💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿

[@porksboy]

Cant wait for the metal shaping!

[@RonCovell]

Just a few weeks off!

[@porksboy]

@@RonCovell Ill check frequently. Gotta do something for seats in my Little Triumph Spitfire.

[@RonCovell]

If you subscribe, and click the 'bell' icon, you will be notified as soon as the next video launches.

[@porksboy]

@@RonCovell Too many notifications get lost in the shuffle. Subscribed and keep checking back

[@FarmerFpv]

This is fantastic. You have amazing skills. Thank you for sharing them with us!

[@RonCovell]

So glad you liked it!

[@davidwalters4014]

Thank you for the knowledge!

[@RonCovell]

Glad you liked the video. More to come!

[@bearshield7138]

sweet job

[@RonCovell]

Thanks!

[@squelchstuff]

That was a brilliant tutorial Ron. I was a little confused as to how you managed to align the long stations with the dowel pins for the correct distance from the seat surface or straight edge. After watching again and a little thought, the importance of those notches you made in the templates to clear the flange of the seat became clear as not just clearance, but are also the reference marks for transferring to the straight edge of the plywood station. I hope my deduction is correct, and that this helps others that may stumble on this point too? Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much! Honestly, I skimped on the detail of that point, because I couldn't think of a streamlined way to verbalize as I was shooting the video. I made the center station first, and one of the side stations second. Then I fastened both in the seat, and used a square to align the front edge of both parts - and a little trimming was necessary to get them in the same plane. After trimming, I used a square across the face of the two stations to gauge their alignment top to bottom, made marks on both parts with the square, then held the parts together on the bench with the registration marks aligned, and drilled the two holes for the alignment pins in pretty arbitrary locations. Last, the second long station was made as a mirror image of the first. Send another comment if I didn't succeed in making sense of this. It's always difficult to explain complex spatial arrangements with words.

[@squelchstuff]

@@RonCovell That explains it perfectly Ron. I can understand the difficulty you may have had formatting what comes naturally, through skill and experience, into something that others might understand too while also making a digestible video. Only through watching the master, can the apprentice truly understand. Consider me enlightened on this occasion. Thank you for taking the time to make your detailed reply.

[@jeffflanagan2814]

I had a hard time comprehending this as well! I still don't understand how the initial depth for the slots were figured out or how the dumb side of the buck was made perfectly flat.

[@RonCovell]

The depth of the slots is roughly half the height of each cross station. I don't understand the other part of your question.

[@adamok1154]

Niesamowite. Nie mogę się doczekać

[@RonCovell]

Mam nadzieję, że Ci się spodoba!

[@selulancie]

Top notch videos as always!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much!

[@br6768]

I feel like a laser level would be a useful tool for marking and sectioning off stations

[@RonCovell]

I never thought of that, and it probably would be a huge help!

[@nobodynoone2500]

As long as you positively fix/locate both the laser and the part very well, it works. But verify often, it's easy for tolerances and small errors to stack up fast.

[@Just1GuyMetalworks]

Looks like a very interesting project. Thanks for sharing! 👍😁👍 Cheers!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks for watching!

[@agustingonzalezmartinez3841]

Greg Buscher, make that the World!!!

[@xpndblhero5170]

14:24 - Ron: "Now that the blocks are secure, I'll just contour them w/ a disc sander.... " Me: "You make that look a lot easier than it actually is....." 😂😂

[@RonCovell]

Practice makes perfect.

[@oorangejuce]

Superb video!

[@RonCovell]

Thanks!

[@6061]

10/10

[@RonCovell]

Thanks so much, Aaron - that's very high praise coming from you!

[@SlowEarl1]

Outstanding!

[@RonCovell]

Glad you like it!

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@RonCovell]

You bet!

[@jimmybryan6760]

Great as usual Ron! Now with your seats and Wray's dash, we're well on our way to a whole 550!

[@RonCovell]

Yes - and Wray has videos on the front and rear body sections of the 550, too. It's interesting that he uses techniques notably different from mine, and you can't argue with the beautiful results he gets!

[@jimmybryan6760]

@@RonCovell I watched a couple of times, and came back today to try to understand how you got the angles of the radial slots laid out on the first longitudinal station. You picked up the positions along the edge from the tape lines, but from there you have to project a line inward. I can imagine using a stiff cardboard gauge equal to half of a cross piece. That would follow the tape line up the curved side and give you a line to trace. Or is it a case of the angle not being critical as long as it's copied to each piece?

[@RonCovell]

Well, the ideal angle of the cross stations would be perpendicular to the tangent of the curve on the long station at the point of intersection with the cross station. That's what I had in mind as I laid the tape down, and what I tried to achieve when I cut the slots. I know I didn't get it perfect, but it can be quite a few degrees off and still make a perfectly good buck.

[@andrel3]

Nice work Ron, would you be interested in making a video on making metal wire rings like what you made for your alignment pins?

[@RonCovell]

That might be a good subject for a video. I did make a large ring in the video in the link below, and I think you can see how a smaller one could be made by using a smaller mandrel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3bSaX2ugqxrmMk

[@andrel3]

@@RonCovell thanks Ron! I did see that I was thinking smaller rings.

[@MrParacristo]

Love the channel.

[@RonCovell]

Welcome aboard!

[@cest7343]

Respectfully, I would like You to elaborate a little bit more on how you aligned the fitting cuts in the lengthwise members - they seem to be perpendicular to the tangents of the curve, but i'm interested if there is some clever way to make them have the proper angle? Yet another great and educational video Master Covell, looking forward for the next one as always!

[@RonCovell]

You hit the nail on the head - the ideal angle for the cross stations would be perpendicular to the tangent at the point of intersection. In actuality, I missed that angle a bit on several of the slots (since I just eyeballed the angle) but they will still work just fine even if the angle is a bit off the ideal.

[@cest7343]

@@RonCovell Thank You for the clarification, it makes perfect sense now - my concern was exactly that - how much could one stray off the ideal angle and still get them to satisfactory serve their purpose. Always learning something new from the time-proven master 👍

[@KarriKoivusalo]

15 minutes of fabrication bliss😊 It's sort of... ironic? appropriate? reversal that when XCor was developing their Lynx sub-orbital spacecraft, they used Kirkey aluminum race seats, derived from bomber seats.

[@RonCovell]

I never heard that XCor story before. That probably saved them hundreds of thousands of dollars!

[@KarriKoivusalo]

It might've been a temporary thing for a public mock-up and not for planned flight hardware, but it was still a pretty startling image :)

[@occasionalmachinist]

Interesting that the holes in the speedster set are not always symmetric

[@RonCovell]

Yes, I was very surprised at that irregularity! Of course, the Speedster seats were always upholstered, so any discrepancies in the hole locations would be totally covered. A number of Spyders have been built with little or no padding, so the holes in those have to be laid out with extreme precision.

[@timucintarakc2281]

welcome back.

[@RonCovell]

My pleasure - more to come!

[@type64jj]

Hi ron would it be possible to a video on the actual making of the seat from the buck. thanks

[@RonCovell]

Yes, there will be future installments that cover the seat fabrication, for sure!

[@wtfftw24]

Following from Italy 👍

[@RonCovell]

Great! I have been inspired by the great Italian coachbuilders for most of my adult life!

[@wtfftw24]

@@RonCovell Me too dear Ron. We do the same job but I'm a bit younger . I am 53. I Tig weld and work aluminum for cars and motorcycles here not far from Rome. But it's always good to spend time on your channel and learn something new from a great teacher like you 👍 Ciao!

[@RonCovell]

Wtf Ftw - I wonder if there might be an opportunity for me to teach a workshop in Italy? I don't speak Italian, so an interpreter might be required. My email address is [e-mail] if you think this idea may be workable.

[@germanangeles5648]

Ron, I enjoyed seeing your work, but it sure isn't as easy as it looks. Saludos amigo

[@RonCovell]

Well, I have over 50 years experience working metal, so things that seemed difficult in the beginning have become much easier with lots of practice. When I make a video, I bend over backward to simplify each step as much as I can, because I think it's easier to understand and remember the steps that way.