*********** vs shallow shrinker/stretcher purchase?

[tlmartin84]

I am about to purchase a shrinker stretcher. For what I need now, the shallow throat will work. I also like the fact I don't have to switch jaws.

I won't use it that much, but should I buy a *********** unit and just **** up switching out the jaws?

How often would the deeper throat be necessary?

 

[cvairwerks]

Depends on what you want to do for the most part. A *********** unit... ie greater than 2-3" is going to be some serious $. A Marchant or ERCO with a 6" throat is around 5-6,000 plus dies for a used one....

 

[HMCFab9]

What do you plan to use it for?
I work in a shop that does a LOT of custom sheetmetal work, & in my opinion, a basic one does the job.

 

[tlmartin84]

I am a hobbyist, when I retire from my day job I hope to do this for awhile full time (I am trying to get my shop setup before I retire).

The current project requires me to recess a portion of the firewall so I need the shrinker stretcher to make some flanges.

I want to continue to grow and be able to recreate auto panels, fenders, motorcycle tanks etc at some point. So far my only use for them would be making flanges though.

What do you think?

 

[cvairwerks]

Start with real Lancaster units and spend the extra $ for stippled dies. Tinmantech has a pair of the bodies with dies for about 380$, but I'm not sure if it's the stippled dies. You would have to call or email. If you get serious, the next step would be keeping your eyes our for a Marchant or ERCO, unless you find a screaming deal on a Pullmax. The Pullmax is going to set you back about 10k+ for a good unit and some dies, but you can do almost anything with one

For my shop, I've got an ERCO 1447 that's in line for a rebuild. I've got a Libert nibbler to do also, and a UniShear O-52 nibbler about ready to put back on it's legs. That's all rounded out with a NIagara power shear and a small Tennsmith finger brake for now.

You should also join up over at Allmetalshaping and keep an eye open for some of the bigger tools that come up there on occasion. I know a couple of the guys are aging out of full time metalworking and shrinking their shops slowly. Best advice I can give is have capital available on a moment's notice and be prepared to travel or have trucked bigger tools, as some areas of the east coast have very light tool populations.

 

[Craftfab]

OP, I am trying to make same decision and have yet to come to conclusion. I have been watching a number of videos from Lazze and in some he discusses making the same part with a shallow and ***********. He sells Lancaster units with his upgrades, and then a ~$3,800 deep unit. On the under $1,200 price range, Baileigh makes a deep unit as does Eastwood (biggest complaint I see with EW version is all the bolts you have to undo to change the dies out).

This video he talks directly about shallow vs deep shrinker/stretcher:

Also good videos from him on shrinker/stretcher:

 

[22george]

Does anyone make stipple dies for the Lancaster Shrinker/ stretchers?
Not trying to hijack the thread. I thing anyone reading this thread would be interested in knowing.
Thanks

 

[racingtadpole]

https://www.tinmantech.com/products...ancaster-shrinker-stretcher-modified-jaws.php

 

[tlmartin84]

OP, I am trying to make same decision and have yet to come to conclusion. I have been watching a number of videos from Lazze and in some he discusses making the same part with a shallow and ***********. He sells Lancaster units with his upgrades, and then a ~$3,800 deep unit. On the under $1,200 price range, Baileigh makes a deep unit as does Eastwood (biggest complaint I see with EW version is all the bolts you have to undo to change the dies out).

This video he talks directly about shallow vs deep shrinker/stretcher:

Also good videos from him on shrinker/stretcher:

Lots of good info here, thanks for posting!

 

[22george]

Thank you

 

[californiamilleghia]

anything that will shrink 2mm stainless steel ?

my friend makes Artwork for outdoor display at parks etc

thanks