Dar Shelton
sheltech@webtv.net

>Anyway, I have been using Dar's dies and some of Lee's rubber with good results on my experiments.  My background is comercial metal work using punch presses etc. I have been examining all available literature I can get my hands on and still believe that the best source is Susan's book and the stuff you guys share with us.

>I have run accross a 1990 or so Boeing Engineer training manual (16 pages) that has some interesting "hydroforming" techniques using a press with a trapped rubber blanket. (about 2 pages with drawings)  The metal being formed is cut to size and placed on a fixture / form?.  The press / blanket forces the metal down over the fixture. There is a note about flange length development and under cutting the fixture to allow for metal spring back.  If there is interest, I will send Lee a copy and he can translate the jargon into artist speak.  --- SAN
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I guess this is the way to reply since I pushed the "reply" button.
This is Dar,Hello Nosek, I trust your dies are working well? Sure we're interested in that blanket method. It took a minute to realize what the undercutting and springback thing meant.It means making the form slightly exaggerated to accommodate the metal's springiness, right? It will conform to the fixture/form under pressure but won't stay bent all the way once pressure is released. I didn't at all get what flange length development means.Duh ?!?!