Sheet metal help needed

[vangremlin]

I'm planning to add a modern radio to the rally gauge console.  To do this, I'd like to remove the piece that holds the gauges, and replace it with a piece of sheet metal bent to the same shape, and cut a hole in it to hold the radio.  The problem is, I don't have any real equipment for bending and cutting sheet metal.  Anybody got any suggestions on how to perform this with things I have laying around the house?  Or an alternate idea rather than using sheet metal to hold the radio in the gauge console?  Or, as an alternative, if you are handy with sheet metal, I will pay to have you make the piece for me. 

Thanks in advance!

[1985amceagle]

is there any chance that you have a vise, and a hammer of some type?

[vangremlin]

is there any chance that you have a vise, and a hammer of some type?

Yep, got a vise, although its probably not as wide as what the piece of sheet metal will be.  Also have lots of hammers and the bruised thumbs that go with them lol

[1985amceagle]

if you want a square edge then, ive stuck the piece of metal in the vice so the clamps grab on the line where I want to fold. I usually use a hammer to get a nicer edge. it wont be as nice as what a machine would do, but it at least gets the job done.

[vangremlin]

Thanks!

[Billman]

I have been collecting old bed frame material from apartment building dumpsters and I use that for everything including metal shaping
This is from a fender rebuild I did and it worked out pretty well.

[vangremlin]

Thanks Billman!

[4x4jollyr]

Hi vangremlin,

Just wondering if you were able to fabricate a piece to fit? Is it for your 81 Kammback?

[vangremlin]

Hi vangremlin,

Just wondering if you were able to fabricate a piece to fit? Is it for your 81 Kammback?

Thanks for your message.  I ended up using a piece of ABS plastic, glued it to the original face of the console, and then cut a whole in it for the radio.