Class introductions take place during this time. Since we are a small group it is nice to know a bit about each other. Each participants interests, skills, background, and goals for this class are important and will be talked about.

Bruce talks briefly about the history of sheet metal fabrication. He includes background information on stretching and shrinking. Especially interesting is the story of metal helmets made between 500BC and 500AD.

The building of prototypes as well as custom work is defined. Buck and Jig Fixture construction is also reviewed.

Now to the “meat” of the workshop. Every class learns by actually fabricating an item from sheet metal. The class in the top picture built the motorcycle tank. (Bruce is the one kneeling.) The class in the bottom picture build the front end of a Ferrari.

From now until the end of the workshop on Sunday the class will focus on "doing" metal fabrication.

Bruce demonstrates, explains, and guides participants through English Wheel vocabulary: alignment, pressure, maintenance, and topographic analogy.

Wheeling functions of rolling, raising, flanging, shrinking, planishing, and washing are practiced.

At the end of the class on Sunday a drawing is held. The winner takes home the item fabricated by the class.

Seminar participants with finished body panel

Taking measurements to build the buck

Participants build a buck

The finished buck ready for metal forming

Cutting the metal patterns