the TORUS

the TORUS : week three

purpose : 

to use a combination of 'stretching' and 'shrinking' to create a reversed curve through shrinking center strip. 

application : 

this exercise will teach us how to plan and strategically place each hit on the aluminum in order to manipulate the material to form a shape which is against its natural movement. This will help us in forming any intricate parts of the fuel tank like the openings.

tools :

● nylon mallet ● custom female stump ● curved dolly ● sanding table ● aluminum sheet ● a buddy to lend a hand ● 

steps : 

For the Shape:

1. Sand down corners of aluminum rectangle till corners are no longer sharp (or to personal preference)

2. Using a thin marker, mark the sheet in 6 equal strips along the length. These lines will act as a guide for where to stretch and shrink the material

3. Adjust the rollers on the metal roller so when the sheet is threaded through it will achieve the desired curve

4. Once this curve is achieved place the sheet on the female stump to form the second curve

5. Using the pointed end of the nylon mallet, make gentle dents between the blue and green lines as noted above (this step may require a friend to help hold the sheet steady on the stump while the first few dents are made)

6. Repeat this process for the other side


For Aesthetics:
1. Place the formed torus on a sandbag so the concave side is facing up

2. Using the pointed end of the nylon mallet, place gentle hits along the middle of the torus to smooth out any noticeable dents

3. Using some scrap metal cylindrical shapes as a dolly or the curved dolly, mold the curves of the torus till significant dents are gone

general notes/reflection :This exercise was much more challenging than the bowl as every hit for the second curve actually flatted the original curve. Each hit had to be measured so as not to flatten the curve in the other direction.