DozerII
Well-known member
Hammer and dolly work, I have found is one of the hardest skills to master when reworking the sheet metal on a project, (I'm still working on the master part). I have found it tough to find a lot of good info on the how too's of doing it so started out pretty much just wacking the metal with an old ball peen hammer and a piece of steel as a backer. Since then I have purchased a basic set of hammers and dollies.
I have watched a lot of youtube and found Wray at proshaper.com although pretty boring to watch has a lot to teach. His favorite tool for working the sheet metal is a slapper made out of scrap spring steel. Some of the craftsmen at Kindigit also use a slapper a lot of the time. Wray has two videos on how to make a slapper, what could I loose other than a couple of hours. I had an old leaf spring pac from a boat trailer, chose the one best suited to the task.
Some cutting, bending, shaping and sanding, and this is the end product.
So far I really like the feel of the tool and how controlable it is, it reach into tight places really well and still allows some swing. The large surface area with smooth edges doesn't give you a hard line with a miss placed blow.
Any of you master have experience with something similar, or some guidance for us learning the hard way.
I have watched a lot of youtube and found Wray at proshaper.com although pretty boring to watch has a lot to teach. His favorite tool for working the sheet metal is a slapper made out of scrap spring steel. Some of the craftsmen at Kindigit also use a slapper a lot of the time. Wray has two videos on how to make a slapper, what could I loose other than a couple of hours. I had an old leaf spring pac from a boat trailer, chose the one best suited to the task.
Some cutting, bending, shaping and sanding, and this is the end product.
So far I really like the feel of the tool and how controlable it is, it reach into tight places really well and still allows some swing. The large surface area with smooth edges doesn't give you a hard line with a miss placed blow.
Any of you master have experience with something similar, or some guidance for us learning the hard way.
I use flippers / slappers a lot as for many tasks they out perform hammers by far. I made a couple light ones from leafe spring material and they will hold up for at least 4 generations... The one I use most is actually born as a spoon dolly. I customized it a bit and I love the large surface and weight. I do need to forge the handle to a flatter shape though, as it wants to wiggle at times... chances are I never will... 
