How Does A Sheet Metal Shrinker Stretcher Work

Commercial shrinker stretchers clamp the edge between pairs of jaws that are then drawn together to shrink it or pulled apart to stretch it.

How does a sheet metal shrinker stretcher work.

By using the stretch jaws the outside of the flange is lengthened creating a curved shape. Mark simpson demonstrates how to use a shrinker stretcher and how it can be a real time saver in the shop. These don t work that way. The pictures demonstrate what the shrinker stretcher does to a flat piece of steel with a single 90 degree bend in it.

Their serrated jaws grip the metal and either force it laterally to shrink or stretch depending on the type of jaws installed. Here metal shaping expert teacher lazze shows you how to use a simple strip of metal and your shinker or stretcher to help make better curves or help find. Hardened steel jaws have powerful force to curve and angle any 16 gauge aluminum 18 gauge mild steel 20 gauge stainless. The serrated jaws put marks in the metal.

They do come in handy once in a while but if the working edge shows it s better to use a different method. Simple mechanical shrinker stretchers manual shrinker stretchers are commonly available tools that achieve the same results you have just obtained but through different means. Shrinker stretcher set 2 body 2 jaws shrinker stretcher combo 1 body 2 jaws metal shrinker only 1 body 1 jaw. Step 3 starting on the metal.

John is correct about how they work. A shrinker stretcher is a valuable tool in sheet metal panel fabrication as well as fitting patch panels and other sheet metal parts. With the shrinker stretcher you don t need to cut and weld in order to create curves in sections simply shrink or stretch the metal into smooth even curvatures in a fraction of the time. Separate dies are available for shrinking and stretching.

You can then secure the metal to the table using vise grips and bolt the shrinker stretcher to the holes in the metal. Shrinking sheet metal refers to shortening an edge of the sheet thus forcing it into a radius or curve. If you do not have a suitable bench for securing the tool then you will need to use a pipe notching tool to make holes in a sheet of metal. Great for auto body trim work and door panel edging this metal shrinker and stretcher set is designed to create radius bends and contours in sheet metal.

Powder coated to prevent rust. Using the shrinker side of the tool would cause the metal to shrink forming an arc in the opposite direction.