Modding straightening sheet metal?

Discussion in 'Modding' started by clfrie, 6 Aug 2003.

  1. clfrie

    clfrie What's a Dremel?

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    just a quick ? for the mod gods. i cut a window in my case that didn't exactly turn out great. i own a dremel, but i couldn't find it and i was getting antsy to add the window. i did happen to have a jigsaw so i bought some metal blades and off i went. the problem is that the blade pulled the sheet metal up with it on the upstrokes and shoved it back down on the downstrokes, resulting in a panel that was a bit warped. it is now full of dimples, and i was just curious as to whether or not any of you had any tips for straightening this back out? (by the way, about 45 minutes after finishing up, i found my dremel. :wallbash: :duh: :sigh: owell. what can ya do.)
     
    clfrie, 6 Aug 2003
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  2. malcs

    malcs oops! i put a hole in the ***** :(

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    you could use the ball part of a small hammer to gently hammer out the dents :D
     
    malcs, 6 Aug 2003
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  3. Smilodon

    Smilodon The Antagonist

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    a nylon hammer or a normal hammer with a piece of hard wood and ,as malcs sais, hammer it out... but be careful not to scratch the paint...
     
    Smilodon, 6 Aug 2003
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  4. Pflumingo

    Pflumingo givem the bird.

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    I concur... Hard backer and a hammer... I have done this several times, but just get it back into shape with the hammer, don't pound very hard, and it helps to put the painted side toward the backer... You don't want elephant tracks as well as dimples...
     
    Pflumingo, 6 Aug 2003
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  5. kong

    kong cnc-guy

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    Personally, I would put the hammer away and pull out the pliers. using something nice and soft to protect the metal from the jaws of the pliers (like toilet roll - lots of toilet roll!), you can gently bend it back into shape. You may then need to trim the edges of the window to hide the mess. For this you can rip-off Japalas ideas :worried: and use some cable flex sheathing cut down the middle, you can see how he did it over here
    Don't worry, take your time and it'll be fine.
     
    kong, 6 Aug 2003
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  6. Pug

    Pug What's a Heatsink?

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    As it's flat, I'd be inclined to straighten the worst of it by clamping it in a vice.

    That said - planishing hammer and a flat dolly are what I use (left over from my days in the trade).

    [Edit] Masking tape isn't bad for protecting paintwork (but it depends how badly twisted the panel was as to whether it'll really save it).
     
    Pug, 6 Aug 2003
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  7. Miku

    Miku What's a Dremel?

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    For cutting a window with a jigsaw, use this method:
    [​IMG]
    Attatch a piece of plywood with masking tape or regular tape to the other side of the panel. Drill a hole. Cut the window.

    The main idea is that you go through the panel and the plywood.That way the edges wont get ...curved..or whatever:lol:
    Trust me, it helps

    EDIT: **** the pic dont work
     
    Miku, 6 Aug 2003
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