Join me for a hands-on weekend Metal Shaping Class where you’ll learn the fundamentals of shaping steel for custom cars and hot rods. This beginner-friendly class is designed to give you a fast, practical understanding of how metal shaping works, along with simple tools and techniques you can use in your own garage. Whether you’re brand new to fabrication or already experienced in the shop, you’ll walk away with real, usable skills and confidence working with sheet metal.
 
Over the weekend, you’ll learn how to shrink, stretch, bead roll, hammer form, and shape sheet metal using both hand tools and powered shop equipment. We’ll cover how metal moves, how to create smooth body lines, and how to build repair panels and custom pieces from scratch. We’ll also spend time using all major powered machines in the shop.
 
Class size is limited to 10 people so everyone gets plenty of hands-on time without waiting on equipment. This is a fully interactive class, and everyone will get the opportunity to work through real-world fabrication techniques.
 
FRIDAY – 6 PM | SHOP NIGHT
We’ll kick off the weekend with pizza and drinks at the shop. This is a relaxed night to meet everyone, get familiar with the space, and talk through your goals and expectations.
 
SATURDAY – 8 AM TO 6 PM | MAIN WORKSHOP DAY
Coffee, snacks, and lunch are provided.
This is our main hands-on day. We’ll focus on shrinking, stretching, and forming using a mix of hand tools and powered equipment. We’ll start with guided hand tool exercises, then move into machines as your confidence builds.
 
Projects and techniques include:
Bead forming
Curved flanges
Speed blisters in wood forms
Shrinking flat sheet into bowls (hand + machine)
Paper patterns and layout work
...and more!
 
You’re also welcome to bring a small project if you’d like help with it.
 
Tools we’ll use include:
• Hammer & dolly
Shrinking stump
Sandbag
Planishing hammer
Shrinker/stretcher
Power hammer
English wheel
 
SUNDAY – OPTIONAL ADD-ON DAY (Additional $300 USD - cash preferred)
Coffee, snacks, and lunch provided.
 
Sunday is a relaxed shop day to continue building skills, work on personal projects, and get extra guidance or feedback on anything you’re working on.
Come ready to learn, ask questions, and spend a weekend surrounded by custom cars, fabrication, and great people.
 
Details on location will be sent out ahead of time.