How Does A Sheet Metal Shrinker Stretcher Work

Their serrated jaws grip the metal and either force it laterally to shrink or stretch depending on the type of jaws installed.

How does a sheet metal shrinker stretcher work.

You can then secure the metal to the table using vise grips and bolt the shrinker stretcher to the holes in the metal. The pictures demonstrate what the shrinker stretcher does to a flat piece of steel with a single 90 degree bend in it. Great for auto body trim work and door panel edging this metal shrinker and stretcher set is designed to create radius bends and contours in sheet metal. Commercial shrinker stretchers clamp the edge between pairs of jaws that are then drawn together to shrink it or pulled apart to stretch it.

Hardened steel jaws have powerful force to curve and angle any 16 gauge aluminum 18 gauge mild steel 20 gauge stainless. Here metal shaping expert teacher lazze shows you how to use a simple strip of metal and your shinker or stretcher to help make better curves or help find. In this live video matt goes over how to use a shrinker stretcher. Using the shrinker side of the tool would cause the metal to shrink forming an arc in the opposite direction.

The serrated jaws put marks in the metal. Shrinker stretcher set 2 body 2 jaws shrinker stretcher combo 1 body 2 jaws metal shrinker only 1 body 1 jaw. Save money by making your own windshield channels door jambs wheel openings and more. Shrinking sheet metal refers to shortening an edge of the sheet thus forcing it into a radius or curve.

Separate dies are available for shrinking and stretching. By using the stretch jaws the outside of the flange is lengthened creating a curved shape. They do come in handy once in a while but if the working edge shows it s better to use a different method. Mark simpson demonstrates how to use a shrinker stretcher and how it can be a real time saver in the shop.

John is correct about how they work. Step 3 starting on the metal. A shrinker stretcher is a valuable tool in sheet metal panel fabrication as well as fitting patch panels and other sheet metal parts. Powder coated to prevent rust.

These don t work that way. Simple mechanical shrinker stretchers manual shrinker stretchers are commonly available tools that achieve the same results you have just obtained but through different means.