Metal stretcher/shrinkers

[alphatopher]

Anyone have any experience with the sheetmetal stretcher/shrinkers like the ones sold at Eastwoods. Looking to fabricate some headlight surrounds on the fenders of a TR6.

 

[GregW]

I bought a shrinker from Aircraft Spruce . Looks like you can save $50 - $100 if you buy from them. The variance in price is because you can get a combo kit that has one body, but both jaws. You have to change them out depending on what you want to do. Or you can get both complete. They’re definitely handy. I’ve fabricated some parts that would have been impossible for me without such a tool.

 

[martx-5]

We have the ones from Harbor Freight at our Club's facility, and they are very handy when doing sheet metal work. I've used them for several pieces that I had to fabricate on the TR3 project. I also have to admit that I've gotten similar results by kerfing, bending and then welding the kerfs. A lot more time consuming, but do-able. If you only have one or two pieces to make, it might not be worth it to spend the money on the shrinker-stretcher. They do make the job go easier, and of course, after you're done with it, you could always sell it on e-bay. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[tlthorne]

Yes, the serrations from the gripping of the jaws is a down side. There are some better jaws with stippled tugsten,
but again it costs more. if you only have one job to do maybe contact a hobbyist/metalworker in your area.
checkout www.allshops.org Metalshapers web site. search oldgoaly or terry thorne (me) for some of my stuff.