How To Make A Dome Out Of Sheet Metal

Hydraulic die forming is quicker and lends itself more to duplicating formed art or other production.

How to make a dome out of sheet metal.

Make a full scale layout of the dome arc using the 36 inch radius on a sheet of metal. Anneal the metal sheet and let it cool. The way you do it is you special order a 3000 series soft aluminum sheet. Sketch the form you want to dome onto the plastic s sheet and cut it with a jewelers saw with a coarse saw blade.

We had fun making this video of a sheet metal dome build. A partial section of a quarter dome simulates a typical panel section. The learning curve is a few weeks if you are already handy with sheet metal. Then using a shot filled leather bag and a rounded mallet you rough shape it then you smooth it out with an english wheel then you repeat as needed to get the right shape.

I then used a beverly sheer which cuts using a hand lever and a scissor action to cut out the circle. Why not poke fun at some of the diy videos out there. Number the stations from the base up number 1 through 10. Cut the metal sheet so that it is about 10 mm larger than the form.

The sheet metal takes the form of the design cut into the die. Divide this arc with stations every 6 inches along the length of the arc. Using a paper plate for a guide i drew a circle on the sheet.