What to do, when you don't have a folding machine.

I hope the photos can tell how. Here its the top of the firewall completely buggered, so I had to make a new plate. I had no edge to weld on to.

Click on the photos for better viewing















Ready for welding.

Thats how i do it made sure my bench had an angled steel edge and then i clamp another L on top

Have a look thru thishttp://retrorides.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=usetharch&action=display&thread=70135&page=1 and youll see a design for a nice little folder, given the thinness of the steel we use its feasable that a folder the length of an outer bulkhead could be made that wouldnt deflect too much in use.

Sean

Thanks for link Sean, deep respect for a real craftman making his own panels. Would love to have all his tools but luckily most 2cv panels are available and relativily cheap. He is very good, taking his time forming the panels correctly. Without the right tools it takes so much longer. Just for me to fold the top plate for firewall, took 30 min. He is using a spot welder and a little gasless. Spot welders are just so good but not handy is small places. My little gasless is a ripper but its not pretty. So far none of my weldings has let loose, still holding.

what got me was how few special tools he used, a cross pein hammer some mole grips( vise grips, locking grips) and a big lump of steel(an old V block) sure he had a stretcher /shrinker but was able to do the job with the hammer.

gassless? might be something lost in translation, he uses a Mig with proper argon co2 o2 mix, it really makes a differance to the weld, I use gasless mig in only emergency and co2 as its easier to get.

In the uk we have to continually seam weld any repairs unless its a full panel which can be attached in the same manner as the original

chill bars are a great help in 2cv biscut tin, ive a whole pile of copper pipe flattened out and made in to vaious shapes for getting in behind the pannels.

sean