Shrinking hammer
- Thread starter Anyas47
- Start date
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You can shrinking hammers from Martin Tool http://www.martinsprocket.com/2001/secJc.pdf#J102
or from Keysco and Streamline http://www.shindustries.com/
or from Keysco and Streamline http://www.shindustries.com/
ZRX61
Well-known member
You don't need one, they are mostly a gimick.
B17E1943
Well-known member
There's a really good body man on a forum I frequent, and this is what he said about shrinking hammers:
Don't quote me cuz I'm certainly no body man, but I think you have to use heat to shrink metal.
Don't quote me cuz I'm certainly no body man, but I think you have to use heat to shrink metal.
kc-steve
Well-known member
I haven't heard of a shrinking hammer but I have used a "shrink disc" or shrinking disc. Google it. I bought mine on eBay for $30. It is made out of stainless steel.
The disc goes on a grinder. You will use soapy water to cool the metal down after using the disc. The principle is physics where heating and cooling metal works to shrink metal. It works well for small dents. And it is a better thing than using putty, but larger dents can be done using the disc to some extent but putty will be needed to finish i up. BUT you will have less putty in your dent.
It takes a lot of practice and time even for small dents but I think it is worth it.
Steve
The disc goes on a grinder. You will use soapy water to cool the metal down after using the disc. The principle is physics where heating and cooling metal works to shrink metal. It works well for small dents. And it is a better thing than using putty, but larger dents can be done using the disc to some extent but putty will be needed to finish i up. BUT you will have less putty in your dent.
It takes a lot of practice and time even for small dents but I think it is worth it.
Steve
Hammer1963
Well-known member
In certain conditions they will provide a very minute amount of what I would call metal realignment. Not really shrinking like you are thinking.
The most effective way of shrinking is to isolate the high area and keep it as small as possible while applying heat in the form of a small pin point flame from a torch, carbon or copper rod via a electric dent pulling machine. The trick is to apply the correct amount of heat for a short period of time and quench the area quickly with cool water or a quick burst of air for small spots. Hammering the heated area lightly before quenching can help realign the molicules of the steel and help with the shrinking process. This takes time so do not rush.
A lot of practice is required to master shrinking. I have met very few body men who can truely shrink a severely damaged panel. Good luck with your panel straightening.
The most effective way of shrinking is to isolate the high area and keep it as small as possible while applying heat in the form of a small pin point flame from a torch, carbon or copper rod via a electric dent pulling machine. The trick is to apply the correct amount of heat for a short period of time and quench the area quickly with cool water or a quick burst of air for small spots. Hammering the heated area lightly before quenching can help realign the molicules of the steel and help with the shrinking process. This takes time so do not rush.
A lot of practice is required to master shrinking. I have met very few body men who can truely shrink a severely damaged panel. Good luck with your panel straightening.
countryroad82
Well-known member
I bought a shrinking hammer and dolly (Martin) when I was first starting out. I rarely use them and I would agree they are kind of gimmicky but I have used them in certain areas where I was having an 'oil canning' effect and they worked well, but one can work that out with a regular hammer/ dolly or a torch/ wet rag also.
Professur
Well-known member
Shrinking disk, definitely the way to do. Pay the extra for a good heavy duty one ... there's lots of cheap copies out there.
4x4gearhead
Well-known member
I was also taught to shrink using the heating/rapid cooling technique, I own some hammers and dollies but no shrinking hammer.
Thanks for all the great posts i have nobody really to draw on for good advice, but if anyone knows of a great book to get some body work skills from id appreciate it. Right now i'm just practicing so id imagine this will take a few years to get good at haha. Thanks GJ again!
ZRX61
Well-known member
MBfreak
MEMBER EMERITUS
Hi.
A shrinking hammer is not very useful and is really hard to use. On a smooth curved surface they can work, but it takes skill. Most of us will get the opposite effect, ie enlarging the area banged upon, since it goes thinner.
Heatshrinking with a spirally placed set of 5 mm red spots then quenched is much better.
To shrink a distorted panel so that it only requires a sanding disc prior to painting is a skill that very few master.
Ola
A shrinking hammer is not very useful and is really hard to use. On a smooth curved surface they can work, but it takes skill. Most of us will get the opposite effect, ie enlarging the area banged upon, since it goes thinner.
Heatshrinking with a spirally placed set of 5 mm red spots then quenched is much better.
To shrink a distorted panel so that it only requires a sanding disc prior to painting is a skill that very few master.
Ola
fordcragar
Well-known member
We used to joke about what a great meat tenderizer they make. I've had a Snap-On shrinking hammer in my tool box for about 40 years, it's probably the least used hammer in the drawer.
Gasser Built
Well-known member
I have a snap-on and a matco shrinking hammer, I use them frequently.
I like to use a slapping file better.
Those stainless steel discs work pretty good too.
I like to use a slapping file better.
Those stainless steel discs work pretty good too.
Professur
Well-known member
If you want to learn metal shrinking, there's only one place on the web ...http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/
