dr_clyde
Well-known member
I have come to the conclusion that I need a sheet metal stretcher/shrinker combo. I'm looking heavily into the set from Eastwood. I don't need a power one. Thoughts? Experiences?
Looking for a stretcher/shrinker
- Thread starter dr_clyde
- Start date
jtrace
Well-known member
I bought my set from a company called Irvan Smith,They are good quality not sure on Eastwood's. I saw Harbor Freight carries them also,not sure on those either but I have looked at the the stand they sell. Looks pretty descent allows you to use both hands to control the metal....Not sure if they will work with my tools though..
John
John
CARS
Well-known member
Almost all of the "affordable" units (Eastwood , Woodward Fab, H.F.) all use the same body. All the jaws interchange between the different brands (even some high priced ones).
The key is to tune the jaws. If you don't want the typical marring that happens with the stock jaws (say working with aluminum) you can send them to a couple different guys to have them stippled. Much easier to sand the marks out of the metal.
In fact, when H.F. put their units on a cheap, cheap sale, dozens of metal shapers went shopping for spares!
The key is to tune the jaws. If you don't want the typical marring that happens with the stock jaws (say working with aluminum) you can send them to a couple different guys to have them stippled. Much easier to sand the marks out of the metal.
In fact, when H.F. put their units on a cheap, cheap sale, dozens of metal shapers went shopping for spares!
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
I've heard good things about Williams Low Buck Tools. http://www.lowbucktools.com/shr_str.html
I was working at a place with *********** shrinker stretchers from baileigh and one from lassie...I'f you have the need and dont mind dropping some coin thats the way to go. Otherwise the HF unit is well worth the money BUY IT
fordcragar
Well-known member
Before you go out and buy a shrinker, check with Neil Dunder, he restipples stretcher/shrinker jaws. Last time that I talked to him, he had some bodies as well. His reworked jaws make these things work better, especially on aluminum.
His website is http://gogitzit.com/
His website is http://gogitzit.com/
CARS
Well-known member
I'm sorry, but I've been in the metal trades for 41 years. Is that something like a brass magnet?
Here are the shrinker and stretcher heads:
They work using teeth and ramps. One draws the metal into itself, one stretches the metal in a pulling action.
And this is what can be done to 19 ga. steel in about 30 seconds:
If you want to see them in action there are alot of YouTube vids available.
54FordPanel
Well-known member
He needs some help with his website.
I'm waiting for the HF ones to go on sale. I want the larger yellow one with changable heads, not the smaller 2 headed one.
They seem about the same quality as the Eastwoods(as somebody mentioned) but Eastwood is really, really proud of their stuff for some reason, and their prices reflect that.
CARS
Well-known member
Neil has head available too. While he bought HF damn near out of jaws for stippling teeth inventory, I bet he has some standard ones available.
As far as the web site. Metal shapers in general are talkers. Many of the guys I meet at Meets (pun intended) never go on forums. They're the guys working, not talking about working
As far as the web site. Metal shapers in general are talkers. Many of the guys I meet at Meets (pun intended) never go on forums. They're the guys working, not talking about working
sevt_chevelle
Well-known member
Hate to tell ya but the Horror Fright *********** shrinker is a real piece of junk. The frame is weak and has a hard time shrinking an edge let alone 6 inches into a panel. To shrink 6 inches into a panel you need a real stout machine and that thing is not.
I know a few guys who have bought it and and regret it.
If you are wanting a *********** shrinker then I suggest you check out www.daggertools.com. Craig is a stand up guy and a metal shaper himself, and judging by the quality of the stuff I own from Dagger, Craig doesn't put his name on junk.
The reason Lazze gets good money for his *********** is because, one its a quality tool that CAN shrink deep into a panel, and for two the jaw design is completely different. The Lazze machine shrinks radially from all directions were the cheaper Lancasters only shrink in a linear direction.
I would highly suggest to anyone who has a Lancaster style shrinker to send Neil Dunder the jaw assembly and have them stippled. Not only does he stipple the jaws but tweaks them to work more efficiently. He charges 75 dollars per jaw assembly.
The Horror Fright *********** and the *********** from Dagger both use Lancaster jaw assemblies...Eric
Last edited: