Wray Schelin's Comprehensive Sheet Metal Shaping Class NEW : Check out my sheet metal shaping videos on YouTube. Search on YouTube for Wray Schelin and you will find them. Follow along with what's happening in the shop by following me on Instagram Instagram ID: proshaperllc Learn how to make perfect panels using new unique techniques I have developed. Learn how to quickly shape panels by deep shrinking without having to use machines ( Yoder power hammers, Eckold shrinkers, Pullmax) that cost tens of thousands of dollars. The deep shrinking technique is surface mar free and more effective than the thumbnail die method. It can be accomplished using an inexpensive tool with easy to make plastic tooling. 8700 sq ft all open space shop in Stafford Springs, CT See pictures of shop below in the photo section. More pictures coming soon! (In addition to the monthly classes I also offer custom sheet metal shaping services for collector automobiles, hot rods, and sculptural projects) Ask about the new extended learning program: Work on your collector car's sheet metal in my shop under my direction. This class is perfect for novice and experienced sheetmetal shapers -- most of the projects featured in the photos below were made by beginners; some attendees have never used an English wheel before my class. Collector car admirers/owners can quickly learn how to transform flat sheet metal (steel or aluminum) into complex shapes just like the famous coachbuilders of the 1930s and 1950s -- Murphy, Derham, Brunn, Ghia,Touring, Scaglietti, Figoni Falaschi, Park Ward, Barker and many others. I teach this class in a very easy to understand manner. All you need to quickly learn this craft is patience, good eyesight, a good sense of touch, and good hand/eye coordination. You may ask: Why take Wray's class? What makes his class different from others? Answer: I teach the whole spectrum of methods to make the highest quality sheetmetal panels and surfaces. I do not lock you into a specific method or tools -- you make that choice. I allow you to choose the project that is most important to you in advance of the class, or at it. Most importantly, I don't teach you how to make generic shapes that don't fit anything! I teach you how to make shapes that fit together perfectly into larger shapes and, after welding, become a perfect fender, hood, or sculpture, etc. Many people take my class and work on their own projects while at the class. Build a fender etc., fix an existing panel, develop a new original design panel-your choice. Learn a new skill that will save you thousands of dollars in the future and at the same time make a panel worth potentially much more than the cost of the class. Who else offers that type of class? Look at all the pictures below. How much would it cost to commission someone to make the panels featured in the photos from past classes below? Contact me to discuss your project I have 50 years experience in the collector car field. I started working on collector cars at my Grandfathers restoration shop part time when I was twelve in 1963. Who can benefit from attending my class ? Classic Car owners and restorers Hot rod owners and builders Restoration shop owners and employees Hot Rod Shop owners and employees Custom bike and chopper builders Artists and Sculptors Vintage race car owners and builders Vintage sports car owners and restorers Vintage motorcycle owners and restorers THIS AUCTION IS FOR ONE CLASS DAY ONLY.* I hold my sheet metal shaping classes at least once a month usually on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The complete class runs all three days*. If you want to attend more than one day, you must purchase the number of days you would like to attend ( The full three day class costs $990.00). Sign up for the full three days and you get up to 36 hours of hands-on instruction!!! Work on your project or a group project -- your choice. All projects are made with 19 gage steel sheet ( .040") or 3003 .060" aluminum ( materials used are included with the tuition fee). Other thicknesses of steel sheet and 3003 are also on hand. Projects requiring brass, copper, etc., have to be supplied by the attendee. Look at the many pictures of former class projects below and you will see what you can expect from this comprehensive class. If you really want to learn the art and craft of sheetmetal shaping and learn quickly, this is the class!!! You might have been reading often confusing and contradictory information about the craft of sheet metal shaping, this is the class that clears away the confusion and makes it all clear, and easy to understand!!! The class is hands on, comprehensive, and up to 12 hours a day.(9:00AM start time till midnight or less if you get tired). Lunch, materials used, and drinks ( sodas,coffee, and bottled water) are included in the class fee. Classes are limited to six students. -2014 Class dates- February --- 7, 8, 9 sold out March --- 14, 15, 16 April --- 4, 5, 6 May --- 2, 3, 4 June --- 6, 7, 8 July --- 11, 12, 13 August --- 1, 2, 3 September --- 5, 6, 7 October --- 3, 4, 5 November --- 7, 8, 9 December --- 5, 6, 7 **If these scheduled dates don't work for you, tell me what dates do and I will try to make it happen!** Second classes are frequently added if I have requests. Get a few of your friends together and I will add a class date that works best for you. I also offer one-on-one training while working exclusively on your project, step by step. Contact for more information about my group classes and one-on-one instruction. Lets discuss your project and goals. What you can learn at my three day sheet metal shaping class. Be prepared to learn the craft of sheet metal shaping from A to Z!!! How to read a sheet metal panel or shape. How to shrink sheet metal using hand methods and also using power methods. How to stretch sheet metal without damaging the metal. How to master reverse curves. How to make bucks. How to prototype new shapes, various methods are explained. How to make a flexible shape pattern and read it. How to use an English Wheel. How to use an air planishing hammer. How to use a helve power hammer. How to use a post dolly. How to add details and features to panels. How to make compound curve panels in sheet metal three different ways. How to weld panels together and work the seam so that it is invisible. How to shape sheet metal panels using hand methods with only a few inexpensive hand tools and also using power tools and then comparing the results. You will learn that if you follow a few simple rules of the craft you will be able to shape sheet metal to the highest possible standards. All sheetmetal shaping questions will be answered. I can also concentrate on any aspect of the craft that you need extra help with. You will get to use state of the art sheetmetal shaping tools that are fine tuned. All students are welcome to bring a project fender sized or smaller to work on during the class. All students are encouraged to take pictures and take notes Here are some comments from past participants Alan Murray wrote: Hi Wray, the frame cover we made fit perfect. With the skills I learned at your class I was able to finish the left side which also fits perfect. I have reproduction running boards with the correct rubber on the way, once I get them I will do some more finish work on them. I hope to take your class again in the future, I have the confidence that I can reproduce anything out of sheet metal now. The whole "area and arrangement" really cleared things up for me. Your class is worth three times what you charge. As a self taught jack of all trades, I have have studied many talented people and have found that most keep their trade secrets close to the vest. Its rare to find someone with as much talent as you who is willing to teach others especially where you reinvented this trade. I really appreciate it. I took Wray Schelin's class in October. It is a great investment for any one interested in metalshaping, and well worth the time and money. Wray is a true gentleman and innovator of modern metalshaping. Unlike other big names this is not a seminar it is an actual hands-on class. Prepare to work and learn. - Michael Autocunas, New Jersey Dick Bear, the designer and fabricator of the McBearen/McLaren Says, "Getting a jump start on metal shaping at Wray's last November was the best thing to happen to me during the McBearen build. Having the direction and training gained during the intensive 3-day course prepared me for all the processes I would incorporate into the building of the car's body". I'd recommend Wray's course for anyone serious about Metal Shaping for a hobby and certainly for those who wish to enter into it professionally". - Dick Bear, North Carolina "Wray understands the underlying theory of metal shaping and is a true visionary in the field. He has challenged and rethought the conventional wisdom and presents metal shaping in a clear and understandable way that allows the student to move ahead on his own." - John Downie "Wray’s three day class is the best investment I could have made toward learning the metalshaping craft." "His hands on approach introduced me to the feel of what is happening to the metal which is so important to understanding what I need to do the get the metal to do what I want. At the same time he provided simple yet thorough explanations of the process as we worked through it. Wray allows students to bring their own project or have him plan something. This time I brought my own which helped me greatly since I have more work of the same type to do on my car. The next time I go, and there will be a next time, I will let Wray plan the class so that he can fill in the areas I missed last time. I highly recommend this class to any one who wants a great start to learning metal shaping. " - Neal Nicholson, Indiana "If you want to learn how to do sheetmetal shaping on a level few can even conceive...much less achieve, then he's your guy. 'Bondo' is not in the equation, you WILL learn how to metal finish without filler materials and create complex shapes you thought could only be done on metal stamping machines. Wray's the real deal. He can convey the 'how' and the 'why' of sheetmetal shaping, and he can show you before your eyes how it's done. He's also patient enough to teach a first-timer the skills to do it themselves. I'll be going back again! " - Bob Legere, Connecticut "I attended Wray's class and what a great deal of knowledge he has in metal shaping. He shares all this with you. In his class we worked on a rear quarter panel for my 1960 Mercedes. I learned about making flexible patterns, tucking, wheeling, making invisible butt welds on the panel, and planishing. Wray teaches how to work the metal with simple hand tools. After his class I built an English wheel with the machinist help of another of his students. Thanks to Wray's teachings the quality of my metal shaping has increased ten fold. Best class for the money anywhere!" - Ernie Fancy, Massachusetts "If you want to learn straight forward effective methods of sheet metal shaping you couldn't do better than Wray's class. This is a hands on comprehensive experience from one of the best in the business. Wray shares his extensive knowledge of the craft in a way that anyone could understand. I can highly recommend it to novices or experienced alike." - Ernie Ferrucci, Connecticut fabricator, welder, painter since 1970...and now sheetmetal shaping! "P.S. And guess what...you don't need to spend a fortune on tools and equipment to participate in this craft...ask Wray." "I attended Wray's three day sheet metal shaping class and found it very helpful. Take it, you can only get better!" - Sean Dennis, North Carolina I would like to thank Wray for sharing his knowledge on metal shaping. He shows you techniques that make it easy to do this type of work without spending loads of cash on tools. Just a few simple hand tools and your on your way. I have done a lot of metal fab work but wanted to know more about the art ( and art it is) of metal shaping. Wray gives you the techniques and knowledge that make it relatively easy. I never thought that I would be able to do this, but following the techniques that Wray gave us low and behold I made a pretty decent 1/2 scale Jag rear fender. Again I had a great time! The class was awesome, so were the people that were there, hope to see you all soon again. I'm hooked. Thanks, - Stephen Kovacs, Colorado PS: the scallops were great Absolutely one of the best investments I made in learning how to shape metal was taking Wray's class. His teaching method is very straightforward and allows anyone to grasp the knowledge. No book or video can teach you as much as this class period! I would highly recommend this class to anyone who has an interest in shaping metal.! - Jason Evangelista, New Hampshire In December 2005 I had the pleasure of attending one of Wray's metal shaping classes. I have always wanted to learn how to do autobody repair with out the use of bondo and your class was excellent in doing that. The many articles I have read online about the basics and many of the tools to use, but getting hands on training was fantastic. I am still amazed at what you can do with simple tools and a lot of knowledge. You have taught me to be patient and not hurry just to get finished. I would highly recommend your course to anyone wanting to learn metalshaping. - Bob Andrews, British Columbia, Canada Here are some pictures of the new 4000 sq. ft. shop ( Now 8700 sq. ft.) in Stafford Springs, CT, tools, and previous classes. Make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom to see all of the pictures. I design and build all of my sheet metal shaping tools. Updated shop pictures: October 2012 Shop and project pictures from the old shop
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