Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

First Bedford · Joined: 11 Dec 2009 Posts: 107 Location: Darlington, Durham

I have one major piece of panel beating/dent removal to do on the 1952 Bedford truck. Front offside wing has a football size dent lower front probably 1" deep.I have beating tools that will get me through on modern thin panels. This wing is solid, don't think my hammers will move it at all, thought about boxwood mallet but seem to think nothing short of an engineering hammer will have any impact on this metal, or am I being too pessimistic regarding tools? I suppose at least I should buy a sandbag. I also have a ram pack which will move it but for final finishing need advice from somebody that has worked heavier steel.
Pete

CMI-Cars · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 76 Location: Denmark

If you dont have any experience in metal work I can highly recomend this DVD: www.metalshapingzone.com

A sandbag would be ideal, if you have a mallet, and have a set of body hammers and dollys, and a bit of work, you should could do it.
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1938 Ford 10 7W
1948 Ford Anglia E04A
1949 Ford Prefect E493A
1950 Ford Prefect E493A
1952 Ford Anglia E493A
1953 Volvo PV 831
3x1953 Ford Anglia E493A
3x1954 Ford Popular 104E
1955 Ford Popular 104E
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Uncle Alec · Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 734 Location: Manchester

Engineer's hammer not a bad shout. In similar situations I use just such an implement, but first I place one of my "slappers" (now now, calm down, I mean the metal shaping tools I made from old leaf spring blades) against the inside of the dent then apply said hammer.
One thing about thicker metal is that you have the luxury of going just a tad over the top then using a metal file to smooth the outer surface.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4240 Location: South Cheshire

I'd get a heavy spoon / dolly behind it and use a fairly heavy hammer working towards the centre of the dent. You may need a bit of heat to ease things on their way, and as the dent is 1" deep some heat to the shrink it as the metal will be stretched anyway. Or you could leave it slightly concave and fill.

Don’t know about others but I never found cold shrinking (shrinking hammers) anywhere near as effective or easy as heat shrinking. There is an excellent old book which is still in print called “Metal Bumping” if you can get a copy.

Dave

As I way typing this Uncle Alec beat me too it!!

buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

Hi

I would use some irons attatched to an anvil to suport the job, then use a suitable hammer that you find to work, clean the hammer face first though!

You say about sand bags, the leather ones are quite dear for what they are, and are quite easy to make, leather bag, with a velcro opening, I have just used a block of wood in the past, soft ish wood at that!

Cheers and good luck!

Dave

First Bedford · Joined: 11 Dec 2009 Posts: 107 Location: Darlington, Durham

All good advice, tempted to use heat. Nice one about making a bag, don't think Frost will agree. Will let you know how I get on. Will remove wing to enable working flat/down.
Pete