[VAC] Re: segments

["Tom" <tmeeker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chris,

If you can find a place that makes aircraft skin pieces out of aluminum that
might be your best bet.  There you will be able to get 'clad' aluminum like
was used on your old Airstream unit.

I am not familiar with "an English wheel" but I do know about
shrinker-stretcher machines, etc.  There are also roller machines for sheet
metal used for contouring metal.  If you were trying to make *cupped* curved
pieces then I would be looking into a shop that had both the
shrinker-stretcher and roller machines and those machines with metal wheels.

Also, realize that to do what you need, the metal will have to be workable,
or malleable I think is the word.  This most likely would call for 'clad'
soft aluminum, can't remember the correct numbers off hand, T-100 or zero
something or other.  The metal used to do this would not be hardened, it
would be in a very soft state so it could be worked.

After working the metal to get these needed shapes the metal would have to
be heated and annealed so it would then be useable.

Having these pieces custom made would cost you both for time, labor and
materials and usage of the equipment unless it's included in the materials
to begin with.  This can be done certainly but is it a cost you would be
willing to pay?  To begin your project you first need to supply the shop who
might do this for you with pictures and measurements that are easily
understood.  If I were you I'd get several estimates and I would ask for
references or to be able to see their other custom jobs they've done for
others.  It goes without question that you'd also want to see if their
previous customers are happy with the results and if they'd use them again
for similar work.

Tom
WBCCI 5303