|
Author |
Message |
colwyn500
Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland
|
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 5:57 pm Post subject: Sheet Metal Shrinking Tool |
|
|
I have obviously done a little bit of internet searching but can anyone recommend one of these or are are they all very similar?
I am pretty good at "persuading" things into shape by hand but I want to make some rain channels (gutters) among other things and precision is very important for the final appearance.
Many thanks if you can advise. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4240 Location: South Cheshire
|
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 7:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I use one of these for shrinking and stretching, the jaws swap depending on what you want to do. Quite easy to use, and with a bit of practice you can get very accurate curves. The metal does need finishing afterwards as the jaws mark the metal.
Mine is a floor mounted foot jobbie, but you can get smaller bench version that sits in a vice.
Dave
PS you have posted this question twice, I'd delete the other one else the thread will get fragmented!
 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
troutrunner

Joined: 03 Dec 2012 Posts: 185 Location: South Lincolnshire
|
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 8:47 pm Post subject: |
|
|
My body restoring friend has a free standing type as in the photo made by Eckold and also has an older one of these in the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em04KY0tSxw
It's the tooling that cost a fortune, but worth it if you use it daily as my friend does.
Here is a link to a very interesting and friendly forum called "Metal Meet"
http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/index.php
You will probably have to register to view photy's though, but worth the effort if your into making your own repair panels _________________ Paul
.
1937 Ford Model Y.
1939 Austin 10.
1955 Austin A30.
1958 Ford 300E van.
1961 Austin A40.
1964 Wolseley Hornet.
1965 Series2a Land Rover.
1968 Wolseley Hornet.
1994 Peugeot 405 Est. 2of.
Nil illegitimi Carborundum |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
colwyn500
Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland
|
Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 9:49 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wow, Troutrunner, certainly bookmarked that forum for future browsing. thanks to both you and UKDave for the suggested tools. What I have to face up to is that, unfortunately, I am going to have to spend quite a bit of money...Oh well, here goes... |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
MikeEdwards
Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2711 Location: South Cheshire
|
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 11:55 am Post subject: |
|
|
I've got a smaller version of that, it's rated as "up to 18swg" and it will shrink that, but it's happier with 20. Mine came as a pair off an eBay seller, new shrinker and stretcher with two bodies and two handles for just under £100, so it's worth keeping an eye open. These are the bench mounting ones, I've got a steel frame trolley so I've mounted them on that. It is possible to do a lot of shrinking with a hammer and a lot of practice, but I never mastered the technique and it's very much easier with the tool. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4240 Location: South Cheshire
|
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 12:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Its easier to stretch metal rather than shrink it, (just hit it with a hammer!) the shrunk bit is only shrunk relative to the other side, its sometimes easier to stretch one side rather than shrink the other.....if that makes sense!
I have a shrinking hammer, but its slow work, with the risk that by hammering the metal will stretch, the other way to shrink is by heat shrinking; heat a spot until the metal spot rises, flatten with a hammer and dolly.
Dave |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
troutrunner

Joined: 03 Dec 2012 Posts: 185 Location: South Lincolnshire
|
Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 1:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
colwyn500 wrote: | Wow, Troutrunner, certainly bookmarked that forum for future browsing. ... |
It is a very good site and friendly to, Neil has been to many european countries for "Metal bashing" weekends, if I can afford it I think I might join him in Norway for one of the events this year.
If anyone is interested I will ask him if he would have a meet at his, he loves showing off his equipment, location is Lincolnshire. _________________ Paul
.
1937 Ford Model Y.
1939 Austin 10.
1955 Austin A30.
1958 Ford 300E van.
1961 Austin A40.
1964 Wolseley Hornet.
1965 Series2a Land Rover.
1968 Wolseley Hornet.
1994 Peugeot 405 Est. 2of.
Nil illegitimi Carborundum |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
MikeEdwards
Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2711 Location: South Cheshire
|
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 7:18 pm Post subject: |
|
|
That's a very interesting forum, some very inspirational threads and videos on there. I don't normally look at Youtube stuff but was engrossed by a video showing someone hand-making a rear quarter panel for a Monaro coupe. Incredible. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
troutrunner

Joined: 03 Dec 2012 Posts: 185 Location: South Lincolnshire
|
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 12:20 am Post subject: |
|
|
It is an International site with UK members, it is well worth the effort of joining and if enough members wish to have a "Metal Meet" near me this summer it could well be arranged as Neil loves demonstrating his tools and machines _________________ Paul
.
1937 Ford Model Y.
1939 Austin 10.
1955 Austin A30.
1958 Ford 300E van.
1961 Austin A40.
1964 Wolseley Hornet.
1965 Series2a Land Rover.
1968 Wolseley Hornet.
1994 Peugeot 405 Est. 2of.
Nil illegitimi Carborundum |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
D4B

Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK
|
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 9:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
troutrunner wrote: | wish to have a "Metal Meet" near me this summer it could well be arranged as Neil loves demonstrating his tools and machines |
Hi Paul,
That would be great ~ count me in if it happens
Thanks Steve |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
troutrunner

Joined: 03 Dec 2012 Posts: 185 Location: South Lincolnshire
|
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 7:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'll let you know on here as soon as I nail him for a date he is ok with  _________________ Paul
.
1937 Ford Model Y.
1939 Austin 10.
1955 Austin A30.
1958 Ford 300E van.
1961 Austin A40.
1964 Wolseley Hornet.
1965 Series2a Land Rover.
1968 Wolseley Hornet.
1994 Peugeot 405 Est. 2of.
Nil illegitimi Carborundum |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4240 Location: South Cheshire
|
Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 8:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
troutrunner wrote: | It is an International site with UK members, it is well worth the effort of joining and if enough members wish to have a "Metal Meet" near me this summer it could well be arranged as Neil loves demonstrating his tools and machines |
I'd be interested
Dave |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
colwyn500
Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland
|
Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2013 4:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for all that great feedback. I bought a Stakyes (or something like that) shrinker/stretcher.
It's can be very subtle or catch you by surprise how much it curves steel for no effort.
It has already been useful where I didn't expect. It was great for putting a very slight curve on a ready-made botton doorskin repair panel that was supplied very flat.
A pain to have to keep changing jaws but very quick. It seems a very well made machine designed to last years. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
colwyn500
Joined: 21 Oct 2012 Posts: 1745 Location: Nairn, Scotland
|
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Just felt a need to reaffirm how useful these things are. Currently making guttering for my Fiat. The job is made unbelievably simpler than it would have been without the tool. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
D4B

Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK
|
Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:01 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi Peter,
I haven't used mine yet ~ can't wait  |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|