panel flange tool on curved metal? - Cut-Weld-Drive Forums

yellowRocc · April 27th, 2012, 05:56 PM

If I were to cut a piece of roof metal one inch wide and the length of the width of the roof. If I put a flanges on one edge, it would straighten the piece, right?
If I tried to put a flange on a hole in a roof, would it distort due to the arch?

ClassicGMJunkie · April 27th, 2012, 07:36 PM

you could pie cut it (relief cuts, say every 3") and that would help keep the arches without too much flattening of the parts, it will call for more welding but you wont be chasing flat spots all over the roof. dont worry if the metal distorts a little. you will need that valley to fiberglass over the welds and give room for mud N glazing to skim coat the roof and smooth it all up.

yellowRocc · April 28th, 2012, 03:59 AM

Thanks :)

**Hebster52** · April 28th, 2012, 09:19 AM

You can shrinkhammer the flange if you want the flange go inwards from the curvature or strech hammer the flange if you want it to go outward from the curvature.

Edit:
Here's an example.
http://youtu.be/viFHMhVT7KI
Even though these panels are flat the flanges are curved. The same issue with them. On a outer curve the flange would wrinkle if you just hammer it down but with a bit of practice you learn the technique to shrinkhammer the wrinkles before they wrinkle...

And on the inner curves you simply have to strech the metal to be able to form the flanges.

yellowRocc · April 28th, 2012, 09:41 AM

Thanks Heb
What I would actually like to do is flange the inside of a hole in the roof. Like around the edges of a sunroof hole with no sunroof

**Hebster52** · April 28th, 2012, 10:05 AM

Ok. That should not be any issue to do. You have the roofsection fixed all around so there's no possibility for the remaining roof to become flat. Just make a hand tool to hold under the roof close to the edge that you can hammer the flange against. I would first hammer the flange about 45 degrees all around and then continue to 90 degrees the following round.

yellowRocc · April 28th, 2012, 11:20 AM

What about a step like an air panel flanging took would make?
I have an idea for a home made "rag top"
I want to do something with edge, dont want to weld if I can help it. Thought a step flange and some rubber on the edge