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“Measure twice and cut once” is a good policy to live by. It helps you from wasting time, and certainly helps with not wasting materials.The measurements and outline of the initial cardboard mock-up are traced and measured onto sheet aluminum which will then be trimmed to size, drilled and bent.
While hand tools have been used throughout the years, having the right power tools for the job is really a time saver. From drill presses to computer-controlled mills, hydraulic guillotines and more, H Craft Customs has the right gear to get the job done.
Since it can be hard to make tight corners with even certain power tools, the hand notcher can be used to nibble away at metal to get it close to the right shape and contour. Then the shape can be cleaned up using a fixed belt sander.
Any time metal is cut, one should assume that the edge is not clean. Taking a few extra moments to clean up edges with a de-burrer means that when you are in a hurry in the future you won’t end up slicing yourself open. Because, as Tom will assure you, if you cut yourself on aluminum panels you are going to get an infection. I’ll take his word for it.
Some final touch up work with the file ensures that everything will be alright.
Now that the panel is the proper dimension, it needs to assume its final shape.The combination of the bevel and the brake ensures that the panel will be bent to just the right angle.
