It was run by a very interesting chap called Barry Ashmole.
He is a bit of an expert that has spent time with Ray Schelin, some Jag experts in the UK who's name escapes me and a few other gurus in strange parts of the world.
He is based in beautiful Stellenbosch (perhaps the most beautiful wine region the world....but I'm biased).
In this case we ran the workshop up her in JHB with 3 other nutters.
If you're looking for a motor themed mini break in a spectacular part of the world that is very cheap (when paying with Pounds) then look up Barry Ashmole on Facebook. His courses are about 250 Squid for 3 days.
Here are some pics.
All hand tools.
(Barry is the guy in the Welding mask)
An example of his filler-less fusion TIG welding, as used on all steelwork.
You can see from the heat pattern where he purposefully burned a hole to show us the effect of heat.
The benefit of no bead is that planishing the metal to work out stretch or shrink is much easier. Very impressive. But the accuracy needed to get two panel to sit flush, with no gap, is a skill that it seems takes years to master.
Making a buck for a fender
Hinge template he made.
Resin and wood buck for a VW Bus door handle
Handy use for old bearing races
Home made tucking fork
Various tools. The wonderful thing about Barry is that most of his tools are hand made with bits and pieces that lie around in a workshop. The little tucking tool is brilliant (the pic of flat bar with a diagonal slit in it)
Prestretching and working a pattern with 1mm mild steel and 3mm masonite
Look mom, an ashtray....a simple example of shrinking by hand using tucks, mallets, a stump and then planishing by hand.
Not bad.
And of course, I've forgotten much of what I learned but have trying to practise the principles.
A great 3 days. Even if you have no aspiration to use what you have learned, I recommend one of these course (there are many masters in the UK). Great to get your brain out of work mode and to work with your hands and steel.
