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Aerowood · 03-10-2010, 08:41 AM

I made the roller on a lathe. It was a piece of 1.5" round stock that I turned a contour on both sides and drilled a hole through the center. The bracket is also aluminum (.125 6060-T6) but steel would work fine too. Handle is also .750 AL round stock but anything would work. I got the lead shot at a gun store, I think it's #9. I had the leather bag for it sewn up at a shoe repair shop. I've had this shot bag for many, many years as I used to use it in hand forming aircraft repair parts before heat treating.

I've also used wooden dowels and customs formed pieces of wood to achieve my goals.

I straighten the one segment because I did not want to buy new. I could have replaced it with segmented pieces like your 55 but then I would have had to do the other side in order to achieve a balanced look. Besides I was told that I needed to replace it because you can't straighten those panels. Game on.

Kip

NorCal Bambi · 03-10-2010, 10:31 AM

"Game on", You are the Man! It's real interesting how others can influence you and never really know it. When I was in high school the "Counselor" told me and my parents that I was not college material. I could go on and on about how she was wrong. But instead I'd like to take this moment to thank her.
Don

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerowood

I made the roller on a lathe. It was a piece of 1.5" round stock that I turned a contour on both sides and drilled a hole through the center. The bracket is also aluminum (.125 6060-T6) but steel would work fine too. Handle is also .750 AL round stock but anything would work. I got the lead shot at a gun store, I think it's #9. I had the leather bag for it sewn up at a shoe repair shop. I've had this shot bag for many, many years as I used to use it in hand forming aircraft repair parts before heat treating.

I've also used wooden dowels and customs formed pieces of wood to achieve my goals.

I straighten the one segment because I did not want to buy new. I could have replaced it with segmented pieces like your 55 but then I would have had to do the other side in order to achieve a balanced look. Besides I was told that I needed to replace it because you can't straighten those panels. Game on.

Kip

easyride · 03-27-2010, 02:53 PM

I have been doing the search,but coming up empty on the alloy and thickness of the shin,I need to find a patch piece.Thanks,Dave

Xbob2 · 03-27-2010, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Bambi

Our Online Shop
This is his website. Learn the Art of Traditional Sheet metal Work.
Bodywork Restoration Tutorial
I'd like to know what you think after looking at the web site.
Don

I was intrigued and bought the DVD ... was marvelous watching him work. As he said "Practice!"
Bob

Xbob2 · 03-27-2010, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerowood

Don, I removed a 18" crease on one of my panel segments using the roller tool shown below. I also used lead shot bags as a backup while using spoons and dollys. I had to shrink some areas that were stretched using the same method as used on steel. I did some practice shrinking on some scrap aluminum first. Although not perfect you really have to look to see the repair. Most people don't even notice that the panel had a nasty sharp crease. I made this tool.

Kip

This is kind of like 1/2 of an english wheel ... cool beans!
Bob

FC7039 · 03-27-2010, 06:44 PM

I was looking at my laminate roller today and wondered it it would work as a tool to smooth out the wrinkles. Its hard rubber, has a grip so that you can apply a good amount of pressure.

NorCal Bambi · 03-31-2010, 08:32 AM

I've been working on making a tool like the one Aerowood made. Also I'm looking for someone new to work on the inside as I roll the outside. Also the Airstream Design with SketchUp has been taking up a lot of time right now. Also winter decided to return for a while.
Don

rumrunner · 01-19-2012, 06:10 PM

I'm also doing the full resto on a 55 FC really enjoy following along. just wondering if anything new has happened.
Love the whale tail!

NorCal Bambi · 08-11-2012, 03:00 PM

We are working up an ad for this 55 Flying Cloud project. Stay tuned for the Ad.
Don

3Ms75Argosy · 08-12-2012, 02:40 PM

Hi Don! We were on a tear last night trying to get home... so we didn't have time to stop.

Morgen says "HI!", and was sorry we had to skip the stop.

It was great seeing you two!!
Marc

rumrunner · 08-12-2012, 03:08 PM

Quick question Don, somewhere in those beautiful graphics you have created do you have the dimensions to which you cut the plywood floor? Like you I started with a pile of rot and it looks to be 90" wide if I have it right? From your photos we clearly have the same frame design but some of my crossmembers would have blown your mind! 3 different profiles and at least as many different guage thicknesses. Oh well all fixed and ready for paint and then the floor- hopefully the shell will be back on before the snow flies.
tim

VIKING · 08-13-2012, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Bambi

We are working up an ad for this 55 Flying Cloud project. Stay tuned for the Ad.
Don

Hi Don,
Do you mean that you are selling the '55?
Rich the Viking

Melody Ranch · 08-13-2012, 02:37 PM

Hey Rich....I am waiting on that ad too. I have my own "Ball of wax" in progress but REALLY appreciate the work done on the 55.

CaddyGrn · 08-13-2012, 03:12 PM

You can see our ad for the 1955 Flying Cloud here: 1955 Flying Cloud - Airstream Trailer Classifieds - Airstreams Trailers For Sale

Thanks for looking!

snosrfr · 08-14-2012, 07:57 AM

better hurry - the price is going up 25% a day!

reinergirl · 08-15-2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaddyGrn

You can see our ad for the 1955 Flying Cloud here: 1955 Flying Cloud - Airstream Trailer Classifieds - Airstreams Trailers For Sale

Thanks for looking!

Just so you know the link doesn't work. Nice trailer though....wish it were on the east coast!

Jim & Susan · 08-15-2012, 08:58 PM

1955 Flying Cloud - Airstream Trailer Classifieds - Airstreams Trailers For Sale

Let's see if this one will work.

Jim

flyrc · 08-16-2012, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Bambi

As you may have guessed. Besides restoring trailers and things, I really enjoy working with 3d computer graphics. Here are 4 more rendering for the 55 Flying Cloud. I've make some small changes in the layout from the last designs. If you have nothing to do, you might compare the last two design entries and see if you can find the changes. The other reason for the new designs is I wanted to get a feel for how they worked with the shell on. So what was created is a glass shell that allows you to see into the design but still get a feeling for where the shell is located.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks Don

Don I'm trying to figure out how to get a bigger bath in my 55 FC when I restore it and I really like what you have illustrated. My question is about the shower. In the one view the closet looks like it is the full depth. In the view from outside the trailer the bath floor seems to go behind the closet. Do you have a birds eye view?
Wally H.
P.S....I sure wish I had remembered your guest offer last Tuesday when I pulled into Yreka and stayed in a lousy motel.

NorCal Bambi · 08-17-2012, 07:31 AM

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f36/...wax-25692.html

I'm trying again to put the link to all the work on this trailer.
Don

NorCal Bambi · 08-17-2012, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyrc

Don I'm trying to figure out how to get a bigger bath in my 55 FC when I restore it and I really like what you have illustrated. My question is about the shower. In the one view the closet looks like it is the full depth. In the view from outside the trailer the bath floor seems to go behind the closet. Do you have a birds eye view?
Wally H.
P.S....I sure wish I had remembered your guest offer last Tuesday when I pulled into Yreka and stayed in a lousy motel.

I'll take a look on my computer and get back to you on this.
Don