Until now, I'd never seen, let alone used, a sheet metal rolling machine so this was a bit of an adventure.
Sheet metal rolling machine |
One or two problems can arise; the sheet has to be put in exactly at right angles to the front rollers otherwise a twist is created in the sheet that is hard to correct; it is possible to create an uneven curve or too tight a curve. I found I had to feed the sheet back in to take some of the curve and twist out before re-rolling to the correct curve. Some twist did remain and so one of the walls is slightly angled in - not critical but I like to do better.
There is also a good deal of hammering to get the curve at the ends beyond where the rollers can reach - not pretty but effective!
Apologies for no video of this - it was pretty physical and not conducive to camera work! (Oh OK, I forgot!).
Skipping ahead to after the walls had been rolled and welded in two parts to the base plate.
Base and walls welded together (MIG for inside corner weld) |
Right hand inside MIG weld |
Left hand inside MIG weld (not quite so tidy!) |
Left hand outside TIG weld |
Joint in the two side-wall pieces |
Then I discovered I'd missed my vocation in life; rather than an ashpan, I seem to have created a simply amazing GONG! I'd left the ashpan leaning against the bookcase in my hall at home (I have a very tolerant wife!). On tapping it with a finger (or later a rubber mallet), I was greeted with a marvellously musical ringing tone. Try this (best on headphones, loud, or on a home cinema system!). (Also on YouTube).
After all the work finding and renovating a whistle, perhaps it won't be needed after all (although perhaps a gong is an unconventional method of locomotive greeting!).
To be continued!
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