Flow Forming Part 1 - Metalworking Tips from TM Tech

This is only a short demo because the tooling and form blocks are so varied I could not really do this justice in a "clip" format. This is a traditional but not widely known metalworking method. (Part 2 shows the wingtips I mention on this video). -- Kent White

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[jpmanyhearts]

can i ask what the difference i between an air hammer and an air riveter ?

[tinmantech]

@jpmanyhearts Good question. A rivet gun is just one of many types of “air hammers.” Destruction guns for cleaning up cast concrete and sand rammers for making sand castings are two other types. - tinman

[Dercommandingofficer]

Hi, im trying to pop a little dome / ridge that is less then 1cm long into a piece of metal container so when i close it, the lid will stick on to the little tiny dome so the lid will stay closed because currently nothing is holding it closed. If anyone knows what i am talking about can they please answer me or tell me what kind of tool can do this, im thinking some kind of handheld tool like a wrench that and press it and pop out the dome. Thanks.

[tinmantech]

@Dercommandingofficer You might want to check out our "goblet dolly." It's not on our website, but if you give us a call at 530-292-3506 we can mail you a free catalog that shows the tool and how to use it. Hope this helps.

[viatus]

:O this is great, you just sold me a set, How well would this work for 0.1 T6 6061, up to what thickness dose this method work?

[tinmantech]

@viatus 0.1 6061 T6 is pretty stiff metal and I would not expect to get any real detail by forming it. One of the reasons that heat-treatable aluminums were developed was so that detailed shapes could be made in "0" (soft) condition and then the shape could be hardened, afterwards. Depending on the power of the rivet gun, the choice of the special metal insert for the flow forming tool, and the strength of your dies you would be able to form 0.1 soft aluminum into some good shapes. -tinman

[pheenix42]

I've always liked making things, and someday when I can get the space set up, I'm going to be giving this stuff a try! *grin*

[cramer604]

i buy all my toolS from traShiStan.

[sgtish]

wow...work smart not hard and this is really smart! used the hammers, used wood blocks, used sandbags, and forms. How come I never thought of replacing the hammer with a good 6x rivet gun and proper tip? WOW! Guess I have much to learn.