How To Shrink Sheet Metal By Hand

This is where the tuck shrinking fork from a few weeks back comes into play.

How to shrink sheet metal by hand.

The metal worker finds the dent in the metal then places the dolly on the back side of the damaged area. Using the hammer and dolly method a dent crease or dimple can be made smooth again without the use of a welder or body filler. Dollies are heavy simply shaped lumps of steel that fit into the palm of the metal worker s hand as he works. Get an idea of how much heat it takes to cherry the metal and how hard you need to strike it to smooth it down.

The condition known as an oil can is often encountered when performing automotive bodywork. Also if you do this be careful. Tuck shrinking see. Do not over heat the steel.

It can be described much like an oil can lid. In this very short video i will show you how to repair shrink sheet metal and stiffen body panels the easy wa. Using a torch to shrink bowed sheet metal steel on vehicle body. Need a fix for oil canning auto body panels.

Start by inserting the fork into the edge of the sheet metal at the desired depth of the shrink you want to make. Heating up metal and throwing cold water on it may shrink it a tiny bit but it makes distortion and hard steel. If you have access to a bead roller roll yourself a bead and shrink it. Then twist the handle of the tool to twist the metal around one side of the fork.

Get used to this idea and your abilities will grow. Sorry for the poor narration my first. Hand operated tools are always the cheapest but unless you ve got a helper foot activated ones will speed your work and control since both hands are free to guide the metal. Then remove the tool and move it over so the fork will roll the metal over the other side of the fork by twisting the metal the other direction.

Sheet metal shrinking demonstration by rich at mustangs to fear.