My Dad (RIP 2008) was a toolmaker in the '50's working at the "Pressed Steel" in Swindon, England were they made the huge tooling for body panels on most English cars. He was on the team that developed the tools & dies for the "famous" Morris Mini. He went on to open his own business in Australia in the '60's making all kinds of die tools for many manufacturers. I did my time in Refrigeration & Air-conditioning when I started work in the '70's but was fortunate to be able to learn many other skills because of my Dad's factory including welding, lathe & milling operation together with tool & die manufacture which was a great thing later in life when I started restoring vehicles. I didn't follow in Dad's footsteps & carved my own niche in Interstate heavy haulage Trucking. I'm retired now & still make my skills useful restoring my 1980 (Australian) Ford Fairmont Station Wagon (55% done) & my wife's 1968 Mini Panel Van that I restored for her 15 years ago (still going strong) Karl I love your skill set & your love of life it self. I use You-tube as a tool to source better ways of doing things & at 67yo I learn something new at least once a week. Thank you for sharing your talent to the world mate. You are an absolute genius & I'm grateful finding your channel from Half-Ass Customs (Brent) mentioned how good you were & your chosen path in life. Once again Thank you. Billy J... Queensland, Australia.

@spiderbrandt4066

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Koolkar Gday from Qld I'm the reverse a Retired Truck Driving Fitter and Turner who dose Metal Finnish body work , I'm old so I did a 5 year app and 2 1/2 of that was Tool Making , I may be the Farther you never had , well it sounds like it , I have a small work shop I Arc , Mig , Tig and Oxy weld , Like Carl , your Dad sound Awesmoe

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Billy that is really neat about your dad and his amazing career! I’m sure he was a great man with many skills. Thank you so much for sharing the story with us. I really appreciate your support Billy you’ve been here since the beginning and I’m so glad that you continue to learn through KZread and support this channel! The community here is beyond what I ever imagined. So much positivity and sharing that makes everything so much better. Cheers Billy ! Thank you so much

@andthen2123

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome background mate… definitely an art worth keeping..a mini panel van ,, should post a pic man they are a rare thing.. cheers from Sydney👍👍

haha, super cool! This is why people pay an arm & a leg to have custom work done, it's very time consuming to get those beautiful "little" details! You the man, thanks for the great videos!

Nothing short of amazing! I really enjoyed this episode. Very creative, high quality, high precision work with a well deserved outstanding result! I learned a lot from this video! Thanks for the content, keep going!

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

So glad you enjoyed this episode! Thanks for watching

@BrooksSmith

2 жыл бұрын

It warms my heart when I see two of my favorite KZreadrs commenting with each other! Both of you have inspired me to take on projects that I might otherwise be nervous about; I hope I can achieve half of the skill you guys put into your work.

@inmyopinion6836

2 жыл бұрын

@@MakeItKustom Is there a chance you know Dave and Pam Fisher from OKC. They were family to me in the 80s.

you are not a technician but an artist

Really love the channel and look forward to every episode as I learn something new in each one. I'm currently working on a butterfly hood from an antique semi road tractor. The bottom of the hood must be "hemmed" or folded back on itself 180 degrees. If possible could you cover this process in a future episode. I don't have a bead roller just a brake, so the final forming must be done be hand/dolly. Any instruction, tips or tricks would be great! Thanks Karl!

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Yea I have to do something with the hood as well either hemming or some kind of strength on those side edges

Well that answered a few questions on what was happening and how you were going to proceed . Always amazes me on the way you easily explain how to do what you do the way you do in such detail without baffling the shiz out the guys listening . Guess as they say if someone makes it look easy they're good at it . On you tube there is soo many videos on similar techniques and methods that's are just so clinical on how to . I gotta say yours just rolls of the tongue and in a way that you inspire folks to just have a go and surprise themselves . Awesome video as always Karl and many thanks

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Best comment ever haha 😆 I’m very glad to read it. All I can hope is to relay the information well and hope it’s well received. Thanks Gary. I really enjoy making videos for this community

Your diligence to the completion of the task you set out to do is rare to find these days!!...

I"m 86 and i still like to see if i can do what you have done on that model a. I like your explanations. That work is slowly disappearing, your skills is fun to watch. Keep it up.

Wow, what a great video! I'm a woodworker, not even into kustom, fallen into a KZread wormhole starting with your gas welding video, which I'm trying to recall how to do. At best, I have rudimentary metal skills (doesn't stop me), but I saw methods you used that I can use in my own work with wood, even. The real tools are your hands and mind, I've always told my students, you can do things in sooo many different ways, with different tools; use what you have, focus on the goal. The way you work and teach is exemplary, and though it's not my place to say, you should be legitimately proud of your abilities and what you've accomplished! I'm impressed.

Thanks, I learn a lot of things on your channel. Now I need to find an old car to fix, I don't have anymore :) I used to have a AMC Ambassador 66 and a Buick 38 Coupé. I think one easy way to make the press stamping pattern is in 2 pieces, with a simple grinder, then weld the parts together. No need to make 100 holes and file by hand.

Fascinating to watch a master metal artist create such a detailed finish to the bead. It reminds me of jewelry making. Your bead rolling is real art Karl!

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much man I really appreciate it!

Your tool making skills are so good, to see the hard work that goes into them, and then the finished product.. Always a pleasure to watch and Learn ! Thank you for taking the time to teach us :) Dave from Australia

I worked at a shop for a while where the motto was "File to fit, hammer in place and paint to match". It really works if you have patience. Nice job.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

That’s a real body shop right there

that really turned out great. I was really impressed with your torch cutting skills! Because that is not easy to cut something like that and have such a smoot cut! I have some welding experience from my mid teens in a welding school in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I've done gas welding and stick welding and got on the cutting torch a little, but didn't get into any tig or mig welding, but I've done some mig welding in the last 7 years. I think the detail for the hood bead looks great. It really fits the car so well. Thanks for sharing the skills. I may never do this part but it's great to watch you make a body for this one. I look forward to the mig and tig tips on the next one and seeing the new detail welded onto the hood!

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Gotta love the torch. It’s just so versatile a tool. I was lucky to have a excellent teacher. Thanks for watching! I’m looking forward to getting it welded in

It is nice to see someone carry on old style metal working.

Karl your filing skills are great fitting the male female dies perfectly. Job well do🇿🇦

I am soo impressed! I have no intention of ever doing this but, I am awed by your methodical approach to getting the final result.

Treat that filing machine like gold. A filing machine that is in good condition, with skilled knowledgeable hands, can achieve astounding results. I get that you are a fabricator right now, but precision machining may be in your future. Today's 0.00001" +/- (a smile) machines stood on the shoulders of machines like that.

It’s those little details that make your project stand out

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

I agree!

Nice work Karl! You make it look so easy! You are extremely gifted

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks terry!

Karl, I'm in West Michigan and my history (retired) includes commercial art which, did not totally satisfy my manufacturing desire, so I ended up involved in the injection molding, and stamping die support industries. Your a true metal tool and die kind a guy and I love your application the the Hot Rod arena. So cool.

Great job with the angle grinder and sander. Most guys don't have that much finesse but it's the little things that matter. Thanks for another great video.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Your welcome Mike! Glad ya enjoyed it!

Love your channel, and your attitude. I grew up the grandson of a farmer where you used what you had to make things work. I still use that philosophy today. By using the hand tools first it helps you better understand the whole process. Keep up the good work!

I love the Chanel very much I’m 70 years old and I still love to learn new ways and I also love hot rods keep up the good work

I have a 36 chevy truck that I need to make patch panels, and you made it now possible for me to try and make it possible.

Really appreciate you taking the time to work out such a small but important detail. They add up and make a huge difference.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

I agree John!

Always a pleasure to watch your thought processes. Great to see the simple rule to not file steel on the back stroke. So many otherwise skilled fabricators miss that & dull the file. One does back stroke on aluminum to clear chips. Simple but important.

@glennstatham960

2 жыл бұрын

maybe not? kzread.info/dash/bejne/qpatzcucXZC5e6Q.html

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip on aluminum! I didn’t actually know that!

@michaelwillette5738

2 жыл бұрын

Hey. No problem. You have added to my skill set so much it is a pleasure to add something! I have a lot of fabrication work coming up, both structural & thin sheet metal. Thanks!

@tano1747

2 жыл бұрын

At the risk of asking a dumb question, doesn't the die filer just move the file up and down? So it is always in contact on both forward and back strokes? Doesn't that imply that it doesn't matter all that much? Or does a die filer have an orbital action like my Bosch jigsaw (which can push forward as it cuts and pull back on the reverse stroke, either a lot or a little or not at all, depending on the setting).

@michaelwillette5738

2 жыл бұрын

I was referring to hand held files.The die filer is a specialized application & files must be replaced when dull.

Hey Karl, watching this kustom bonnet come together really is inspiring 👌 This vid goes from a problem of the bead not matching the grill surround, to make an great kustom feature 🤘 Cheers Aaron 🍻

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Aaron! I’m happy with how it came out for style 🤙

You are very talented and artistic in your craftsmanship in your trade 43:00 , it helps me understand and appreciate how those beautiful automobiles were built in the 50’s, 60’s , 70’s and why tooling, retooling in manufacturing every few years became so expensive. It certainly makes me think and appreciate a lost art.

Another fantastic project and video. I've never really thought of doing this kind of metal work, I would defer to my epoxy glass skills as a trained boatbuilder to fix or fab cars. I have to say though after watching your videos I am trying to work in the metal instead. Thinking of your battery tray fab video and now this one, I am going to try to make a steel repair panel for the corroded out inner fender on my 67 Olds Cutlass. I have the MDF and some donor sheet steel and I'm ready to give it a try. Thanks so much for these awesome step-by-step vids and the encouragement to try using what we have on hand to create and fix!

Amazing work! A little detail that no one will know you did because it is so clean and factory looking.

@tano1747

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah i can just see some poor sod who owns this car in 20 years time trying to find out where to buy a replacement bonnet after a crash and being mystified about how to match that detail. 😁

Karl! That is incredible. So inspiring. Perseverance is the name of the game.

Very informative video. My grandfather was a tool & die maker and owned a shop with hi-pressure punches. This video showed me what he did. I'm 55yrs and this gave me insite! Than You very much..

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Very welcome!

Hi , I just watched this video and I'm in total awe of your craftsmanship and the quality of the finish you have attached.....well done..😁😁

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Hey Anthony thanks man I’m glad you dig it !

Great job, this was one of my favorite episodes, thanks for sharing your knowledge, I'm self thought, kinda a loan wolf, so watching guys like you keep me inspired, thanks

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome Adam thanks for watching!

If you're a master now, thirty years from now you'll be outta this world.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Can’t wait to see what cars I cut up in the future! Maybe even make one from scratch

The hood looks way better with that little bit of bling.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Right on! I think so too

I've worked rebuilding engines, equipment, most of my sixty five years of life, next to guys doing sheet metal work, finishing the "other side of repairs, maintenance" of vehicles, and really enjoying the display of techniques and tricks that make this level of custom, fulfilled. It's a real pleasure seeing it continue with a whole new generation, just like I grew up watching, learning and finally teaching. I built a filing machine, "die filer" twenty years ago, and it is an incredibly useful piece of tooling. I've been "doing this" to steel plate all my life, and am just learning how to "use it to produce the sheet metal finish form. Mine doesn't have "overhead support", and I think I might well make a gantry to provide that support, seems to be a valuable asset. At the time I was building my "die filer" a machine shop I used to work at, gave me a pile of "die files", they'd found, almost as if they knew what I was building. This is the quality of work I watched in my childhood, and eventually did myself, often questioning if I'd ever equal those who taught.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great stories John. It’s very cool that you were building your own machinery back then and how lucky you were to get those specific files!

Thanks for taking some of the mystery out of metalworking. You explain things well. Thank you for your time.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

You’re so every welcome! Thanks for watching

Karl, I'm a maker too. Retired now, I still seem to want to change careers as well as mediums. I fear it is too late in life for me. I gotta stop watching you really talented guys. You make me want to re-tool my shop and start over. I do have 4 grandsons though. Keep teaching us, we will keep watching.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

It’s never too late to retool! Never stop learning never stop growing!

@inmyopinion6836

2 жыл бұрын

@@MakeItKustom Thanks

Flipping awesome! The time you take to bring us all along in your process is truly appreciated. I look forward to every video.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jim happy to!

You're only going to progress if you "get to it". Fantastic intuitive video. Wonderful to watch.

Looks great Carl! Can't wait to see them installed!

You got great skills and sense of what you want to see what the end product is to look like! I'm learning new ways of hammer forming so keep teaching, your young but your skills are ol skool nice combination! Thank you

Im really enjoying your tuition's, you are really good at what you do.

The reciprocating file is such an awesome idea! great work.

Great result Carl making press tools is very rewarding especially when It works, I've used copper under the press die cut to shape between the metal and die for heights and edge crispness. Great video mate down under.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Great idea thanks man ! I’ll Have to try the copper

hi Carl, its simply refreshing watching you work. i was never interested in metal work cause i was sort of afraid to attempt anything to do with metal, but now i cant leave the stuff alone, thanks again for the motivation and multiple free lessons. kind regards Abu

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

You’re so welcome. I’m glad you are getting into it!

Amazed as always with your content!

Nice to see older techniques still in use. Really good end product as well. Keep up your awesome work and continue to enjoy what you are doing.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Will do gene thanks for the support

Amazing boss! Great work again boss. Time and patience pays off with the finish product.

I did this a bunch of years ago with my shop logo, just used all plasma cut pieces, with the dies aligned with bolt stubs welded into the lower die. Sucked to have to weld up holes but made an awesome cool touch on jeep fenders and door panels. Looks awesome man

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

That’s cool that you incorporate it into the fenders and doores!

Fantasic i love watching your videos i am doing an 65 EH ute up here in AUS you have helped so much so cheers buddy

Love the design you come up with karl. I think it matches the car really well. looks great good stuff, Love it.

This was a great video. The attention to detail and perfection is just on top. To make those 6 times to get the best product says tons about you. Keep up the great work and great content.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching man I appreciate it cheers!

It's just me....but I keep thinking about getting t-boned in that on its maiden voyage. Wrecked in a half mile. There's a Greek tragedy in the making with all that exquisite detail rolling on wheels.

Thats an amzing amout of work and muliple skills and a lot of perseverance and creativity, well done and thanks for the video.

Really amazing work, great explanations, as always. Can’t thank you enough for the information and attitude!

Dude if I could sum you up in two word its VISION and PATIENCE!!! The whole time I was like that’s gonna look terrible I don’t know about that and then as you started making the die I was like damn that looks pretty cool but I don’t know house gonna look on the car and when you held it up there I was like OMG!!!!!!!!! Damn that looks great bro!!!! I have a 59 El Camino I wanna start working on I wish I had your talent and expertise!

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Hahaha 🤣 thanks man I’m glad you waited for the end lol it’s tough to see without standing back on it in person

Great work Karl 👍 Hammer Form is a great cheap simple way of shaping metal! It’s amazing what a hammer and a chisel can do onto a buck ! Ahhh the good old days ! 2 plates a piece of pipe to make a swage ! 🤗 It’s great that you are going through detailed length to explain this process ! Really enjoyed it Buddy 🤗 From Down Under 🦘 Cheers Andy

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

So glad you enjoyed it Andy. Thanks for watching!

This detail is a quantum leap in style for this hood and will set it above all the rest. Well worth the extra effort.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man I’m glad you agree!

For terminology in die forming, the part Karl hammered into the sheet metal is the punch, the top plate guiding the punch and holding sheet metal is a stripper plate, and bottom plate is the die. Another way to control the stop depth for the punch shape into the die is to use overhang stops on punch stanchion(s). Stanchions are the metal welded to the punch where the hammer impacts. By having stanchions with overhanging "stops' cantilevered over the sides of the punch it stops the punch from traveling farther down into the die once the stops meet the stripper plate. A few stops on the perimeter of the punch is easier to adjust the depth than an overhang around the whole punch. Two lengths of angle bar welded end-on with the 'legs' overhung gives four stops. Three angle bars with legs overhung provides six stops. More stops = more control on perimeter of a complex shape. Grind each stop to get the desired punch depth at that location. If a stop is ground too much or mushrooms from a lot of use it lets the die sink too far, but can be built back on that stop with some weld. The punch will repeat on the same sheet metal thickness for a lot of stamped parts.

@MakeItKustom

Жыл бұрын

Awesome information Jim thank you 🙏

Great video! I like how the filling machine can easily run in landlocked areas. 🇦🇺🤜🏼🤛🏼🍀😎

43:20 Now look at Karl’s expression. You know that’s good craftsmanship when the master fabricator is I amazed at his worked. Very awesome work!

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Yep it’s exciting to see it work after all those hours lol

@conover1978

2 жыл бұрын

Hell yeah! That’s the best part!

I wasn't sure if I would like it but after it was done it looks fantastic. GREAT WORK and the PATIENCE you have for this is impressive.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks alot Joe 🙏🙏🙏

gotta be honest - when you drew the shape onto the hood I was sceptical but WOW... that is absolutely the righteous touch to keep the lines flowing like it would have, had the factory designed it originally. Beauty!

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad that you waited to see the end product! It’s hard to tell without seeing it sometimes

I'm addicted to your videos, just amazing what you do Karl, a perfectionist. It's going to be another evening watching and trying to learn.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching cheers!

Dude, I like the changes to the hood line! Thanks for the "tools" creation and use!

Well, I could ramble but not necessary. Thank you! Really enjoyed it.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Joe!

That video was so,so,so impressive. You are truly a great craftsman. Looking forward to your next effort. Northopian.

Awesome video Karl. I just recently found your channel but I can't seem to get enough. You are a natural at teaching this stuff and sharing your knowledge.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Right on TJ thanks for watching!

Absolutely amazing I am very impressed

A real good look for the car. Worth the work put into it for sure. Cheers

Excellent video production Karl...the close ups of the hammer form fabrication, sped up is professional quality. Come so far in a very short time where the initial videos were themselves excellent..

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Malcolm! Always trying to make it better

You sir are a master at metal work. Your ability to improvise an adapt with creativity amaze me

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man! Cheers!

I`ve been working on GM press shop, and I can understan how hard is to get a perfect shape and a perfect surface of a detal. You have shown us how to get this perfection, step by step, on this simple exapmple. Thank you. 👍

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

You are very welcome! Thanks 🙏

What a great addition and the fab evolution was equally orchestrated!

Barry Gilgen give a shout out to Morske repair in North Dakota because he pit your site on one of his video.s and told everybody to watch your u=tube, so I did and it,s great really like what you are doing, very knowledgeable and fun to watch, saw you and your Brother take trip to California that was fantastic. keep up the video,s

I love my evolution saw. Best purchase yet.

Outstanding video for creating custom pieces with ordinary shop tools. Your videos are an inspiration and always informative. Keep up the outstanding work

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you and thanks for watching!

WOW,that made that hood look great Karl,keep the videos coming

Hey Karl, thank you for showing another great hammer forming job. That hood is looking amazing! I can’t wait to see the next video!

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot John I’m so glad that you enjoyed it!

Great video,,👍Learn so much about metal forming and shape crispness in one project ,as said by others packing and die changes can change the form.

Your really getting in your grove with the new shop! I love the old die filler! After thought ,heat the dies with the torch red hot and oil quench them. Food for thought.

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

It would last longer that way but they barely wear being steel on steel

Love watching your stuff Karl… you have a great skill set.. 👍

Always love the hammer forming videos, it’s such a neat craft and you’ve pretty well got it figured out so it’s fun to watch you go about it. I really like that die-filer, oh man I could’ve used that thing about a million times over the years!! Great vid, tell Brenda I says hi!

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Ya it’s a great little machine!! I’ll Make sure Brenda get the message!

I was thinking when I saw the title that you was going to finish with the hammer form In the grill shell? To run the line all the way to the front. Anyway it’s good to be different from the rest your work is outstanding.Tim

That is an awesome die filer! Looks like you scored a handful of machine files to go with. Awesome find!

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Yea looks like all brand new files when I bought it! Lucky for aure

You my friend got the magic in every aspect

Interesting video. I appreciate your passion.

Lovin the hammer forming endless possibilities great video thx man

Sweet. I can't wait to try hammer forming myself.

That came out really slick. I've been waiting for the video.

Love the channel I like and appreciate how explanatory you are on the whole aspect of a project I think the best channel on yt keep it up!!!!!!!!!

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Vic! Stoked you dig it!

Perfection ain’t easy. Thanks for posting this beauty. Steve

It turned out great.

Hello. Your channel is very instructive. Thank you. Customization is well developed in your country. Of course, we have fewer such workshops in Russia, but thanks to you and other customizers, there are more workshops🤝🤝🤝

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear you guys are keeping the culture alive over there! I’ve seen some really cool builds from Russia

Awesome glad you chose this looks bad ass

The Florida pool pump motor repair guy, approved ! that was good info, thanks.MIT

Fantastic Results Karl Once again some really great detail and explanation. Like I have said before you would make a great Teacher

@MakeItKustom

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Michael!