Changed the title of the Thread: metal crafting Book by Casimir Nawrocki, 2012 Group Buy: Lost contact but my Friend is still kickin!! Options

[rick 918-S]

Here's the thing. As some of you know I play with metal. I do ok but compared to my idol Casimir Nawrocki I'm a complete hack. I went for a visit today to check in on him and ask some questions about Mercedes 280 SL doors. As it turns out not only was he able to answer my questions, he has a right and left door skin fixture for making new skins and about a dozen skins sitting in a pile. HOLY!

Anywho, I have been out of touch with him for quite awhile and just found out today that he has published a how to book.

He pulled out a copy and in his fairly good but broken english (He's from Poland) went through the entire book in an instructional fashion with me and my upholstery buddy.

I'm blown away! This was one of the best days I've had in a long time. Hard to top the pure enjoyment of spending time with a master craftsman and being treated as though I am his equal. Humbling.

So, here's the thing. He had this book published on hs dime. It's as thick as a Chiltons soft cover manual and wall to wall page after page of step by step photos. Things I've never even dreamed of doing with metal.

First I want to post a link for his site so you can purchase a copy off his site.

http://forgiare-il-ferro.webs.com/

Second I want to offer you the opportunity to get a signed copy. I'm thinking the best way could be to sent a check made out to Casimir to me and I will personally deliver the checks and get him to personally sign your copy.

If you ever had any interest in metal crafting this book is a must! I garrentee you will not be disappointed.


Here's the start of the list

euro911- Mark S.--Check received

Rob914- Rob-- Check Received

Gint- Mike G.-- Check received

Ruby914- Mike--Check received

billh1963- Bill-- Check Received

BritCarJim- Jim-- Check received

Pat Price (my friend that owns the 280 SL in my garage) Paid

old914dog- mike floyd-- PM received and returned

Dr Evil- Mike L.-- Check received

jmmotorsports- Jerry--Check received

John Jentz- John-- Check received

A&PGirl- Carrie S.--Check received

dflesberg- Duane--Check received

914coop- Irv-- Check received

Scottyb- Scotty-- Check received

mtburman- Mike-- Check arrived Saturday after I already went to see Cass

JRust- Jamie-- Paid

ArtechnicA- Rich-- PM received and returned

Kwales-Ken-- Check received

Dailberl- Juergen-- Check arrived Saturday after I already went to see Cass

Jim Dorociak- Jim-- Check received

Sean_V8_914- Sean M.--Check received

BudK- Bud-- Check Received

maxwelj-Jack-- Check received

laflaur- John-- PM received and returned

ellisor3- James-- Check Received

ClayPerrine- Clay-- Check received

Davesprinkle- Dave-- Check recieved

Charliew- Charlie-- Check received

ottox914- Dave-- Check Received

Series9- Joe-- Check received

Thanks everyone for your interest in my friends book.

PM me your mailing information with your full name. I will PM back with my mailing information and instructions. The price of the book is $ 55.95. This is the first edition. You will get a personally autographed copy of the first printing. These are already printed and instock. I want to close out the first order by friday and start getting checks in the mail next week. I would like to deliver the checks to Cas by the week of the 20th so you can start getting books shortly after.

Cass is 68 years old. This is a man's life work and knowledge for the price of a nice dinner and a couple drinks. The metal forming technics he shows in this book have never been in the box.

[rick 918-S]

The first checks arrived today! I updated the list.

Worn, I'm sorry you found the book less that satifying. Cass does have broken english. He used a woman as an editor. During the writting of the book she developed cancer. She did her best but really wasn't up to the task nor did she have a working knowledge the craft. So really she was doing as good as she could under the circumstances.

I agree you are looking at atleast a half million in equipment. But you need to realize that Cass purchased this equipment broken and worn beyond use. He then not only refubbed the equipment but then had to train himself to use it. This is a glimps into the lifes work of a master craftsman. He has many photos with diagrams showing the proper movement of the metal. So in addition to the text he tries to explain with pictures.

The fact of the matter is, many of the processes in hand crafting and moving metal requires some special tooling. Stuff like this is just not on the shelf at Lowes or your local FLAPS. Many times home built tooling doesn't work and needs refining. I found it an absolute joy to not only see the end product but the thought process that went into making the tooling that brought the part into a usable form.

You have to agree there are several examples of building simple bucks and forming metal with a come-a-long, torch and hammer or pulling and stretching metal with port-o-power.

Sure there are some complex forming dies for making trim and moldings. But have you ever wondered how it was done? When would you ever have a chance to even see that?
An example here is the window trim Mark is forming for our windsheilds. Ever wonder what type of dies were used or how that stuff was even formed?

After you receive your copy of the book take a good look at it. If anyone has any questions about how and why Cass is doing a project a certain way PM me. I will spend as much time on the phone as needed to explain his meaning and method.

I'm sure there will be many hours of pleasure thumbing though this book.

I plan to start a conversation in a couple weeks when the books get mailed out. I'm looking forward to the general impression from the group.