How do I recreate these bends and curves

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I saw these metal wall art fish, and want to take a shot at recreating something like this. I have no tools (that I am aware of) that will do this. What is the cheapest, most cost effective way to bend and shape sheet metal like this?Sorry for the upside down pics from my ipad....not sure how to fix this. These seem to be pretty simple convex sheet metal shapes. Also, how would I make the ripples in the metal for the fins? Any ideas welcomed. Thanks in advanceMiller Multimatic 255
Reply:An English wheel comes to mind...Miller Dynasty 200DXMiller 252 Miller 250xMiller Syncrowave 250Miller AEAD200 LegendMiller 375 Xtreme plasmaLincoln WeldPak 100Victor O/A
Reply:Possibly a leather covered bean bag and a plastic mallet as well. I know of an item that I have heard of that was referred to as a "daping block", essentially this is a metal block with reliefs cut into it that can be used to provide channels, dished rounds, and ellipticals, also other shapes. Google metal art metal shaping, likely you'll see a number of examples of ways to shape/form metal. Good luck and regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Hope this link works: this guy uses a hollowed out stump.
Reply:It's hard for me to picture how big they are. Depending on material gauge, you might be able to do the ripples with metal with a piece round stock,hammer. and a block of soft wood. Set piece on soft wood, lay rod on top at desired angle and HIT WITH BFH ! The harbor freight compact bender would work for the round depending on size.http://www.harborfreight.com/compact-bender-38470.htmlhttp://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php...-How-s-it-work
Reply:Assuming that they are relatively small, I would probably use a hammer with a crown on it (not a hammer with a flat face), and a sandbag (shotbag) or a stump.   You could use a trailer ball or large ball bearing, might be a little trickier.   Small pieces weigh so little that it is hard to shape them if you are depending on the inertia of the part, as you might with a larger part, such as on a sheet metal stake or dolly.    A stump is probably the easiest way, overall, you just grind a depression into the stump, roughly the shape and size you have in mind.   A few taps on the part and you have your shape.  The wire can be bent by hand around any round shape, you could probably do it with your bare hands with a jar or can or pipe to bend it over.I do a fair amount of forming like that, but usually on larger parts.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Each if the fish is about 10 inches in length or so...not a real big scale on any of these.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961Each if the fish is about 10 inches in length or so...not a real big scale on any of these.
Reply:how about a sand bag and some mallets or body working hammers? to make the wavy pieces a vice would probably help also.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:For the ripples a tool they use in the ( hvac ) industry to do duct work they have a tool like a pliers that will bend, ripple the end of sheet metal to slip inside the other. T don't know what they are called. But might be able to get them at like Home Depot, menards, or lowes?Good luck
Reply:The spoon shapes could be cut out of a thin wall round tube. Just need the right diameter, think about the cutout for a lateral.Miller xmt304,  Miller S22 p12, Miier Maxstar SD, Miller 252 w 30A, Miller super32p12, Lincoln Ranger 9, Thermal Arc 181I with spoolgun, Hypertherm 10000 ,Smith torches. Esab 161lts miniarc.
Reply:I'd use a large block of wood, with a hollow carved in it, with a hammer called a 'bossing mallet.'  HF has very inexpensive ones, which would do the trick for this.  The cheapest way to bend some rod like that, on the cheap, is just to use your bench vise and some body weight.  There are a LOT of more-expensive ways to do it (and an English wheel is one of those expensive ways).For as shallow as it needs to be, you could just use a regular ball pein hammer, on a flat surface.  Keep hitting the same spots in the middle, until it starts to curve up.That's a great project to learn on.  Not too difficult.  Not too deep.  No need to be too exact.If this is something you think you'd like to get into, find yourself a Metal Meet nearby (metalmeet.com).  A bunch of regular guys, sharing their metal shaping skills with new folks.KevKevin / Machine_Punk from The Aerodrome Studio - Lincoln PowerMIG 210 MP - Meco N Midget w/custom welding station - Vintage Victor 100Current Projects: The Aerodrome Studio
Reply:Sandbag and ball pien hammersEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:My daughter looked at one of the fish and said to me "Daddy, we need a plasma cutter to make those".  Wise child!Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:Originally Posted by asdfHope this link works: this guy uses a hollowed out stump.
Reply:I watch a tinsmith guy doing things the old world way once. Pretty darn neat. He worked with copper and tin. Used leather shot bags, wooden mallets, leather covered mallets, and a ton of just plain hardwood rubbing sticks. He'd put a piece of tin or copper on a bag and start pushing hard and rubbing the center with this hardwood dowel affair and rub till it curved. Bottom line it was all elbow grease and sweat. The guy was high energy, going like a madman. Didn't use anything modern, all hand made tooling. He made pots, pans, bowls, spoons, everything."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt