I have access to an old english wheel that hasn't been used for a number of years and certainly never by me.I plan to have a go with some scrap aluminium sheet but have no idea of the techniques involved.Are there any guides online or any experts on here who could give me some guidelines.
cheers
Daz

The basic idea to start, is to cover the panel evenly with the pressure between the wheels. This usually means making a series of shallow zigzags across the panel with the tracking about 3/8" to 1/2" apart. Start at one end, move the metal through to the other side, twist the panel slightly to aim it right next to where you just came from, come back to the side you started on. You should be about 1/2" from the start point. Twist the panel ever so slightly again and aim right next to the tracking pattern on the other side of the panel and repeat until you have covered the whole panel. The tracking pattern is something that you must see in your minds eye. It is where the center of the upper wheel and the center of the lower wheel make contact with the panel. Go very slow to start, until you get used to making zig zags across the panel. Be patient. It takes time. There is lots of great information at:

www.metalshapers.org

www.metalmeet.com

Spend a few days searching at both sites. Youy will learn a lot.

John Glover has a video called Basic Wheeling available from:

www.metalcrafttools.com

Show us some pictures of the machine!

John

And if you want to be impressed with what an english wheel can do, pound some lumps in a panel...you can use any mallet or hammer or a piece of driftwood... whatever, as long as it is not too sharp. Support the panel with bag full of dirt if you don't have shot bag, or use an old leather purse filled with sand...then starting with a decent gap between the wheels so that you are barely pinching the lumps, run the metal through and gradually increase the pressure as you make multiple series of passes until you have smoothed the panel. It is an amazing thing your first time.

John

An example...before and after pictures. You can tell by the reflection that I have more work to do.

John

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Since its been sitting, be sure to get any rust off the wheel prior to use. The rust will be imprinted in your sample, and be driven further into the wheel.

Be sure to start with clean metal and clean wheels.

If you are using a plasma cutter or lazer cut steel, grind the edge off. These will leave nasty impressions in he wheels.

Look into "Tuck Shrinking" on Metalmeet.com . Then you can knock off a quick motorcyle fender and impress your family and friends....Then O.C.C. will hire you , then you'll hook up with a blonde bimbo with 40 DD's and you'll forget all about your Hotrodders.com friends....LOL

Went to Metalmeet.com and all I can say is HOLY CRAPOLA!!! What a wealth of information. I'm going to have to take a week off of work so I can get thru some of the forums.

Thanks for all the advice guys.Was going to have a go today but the wheel is buried moutain deep in crap so it's going take me a while to unearth it.
I'll post some pics when I do
cheers
Daz