7 ways to SHRINK METAL // HOW TO

[@timothyelliott4331]

Came here as an armourer looking to shrink some overworked plates. Thanks for all the different methods, I have the tools on hand for at least a couple of these!

[@skinnyGra]

Once again thanks Tom for taking the time and showing the different ways of ShRinKaGe. Particularly the meat Tenderiser as some say, type hammer and Dolly. Great to see them in action.👌🏻

[@TalRohan]

Those shrinking dies look like a refined version of the shrinking hammer and dolly, and a lot kinder to the steel. I havent done much sheet metal work but it is in my realm of interests Thanks for the information and the demo

[@mikeanderson1139]

as a real novice in metal, i really got a lot out of this video. Thanks!

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

That’s great to hear Mike . Thanks for watching 👍

[@Handbuilt1]

(As a suggestion) try this,..... when tuck shrinking , rather then close the tuck a the front , close it at the rear first on the folded line then a little on the sides , this will keep the tuck from opening too much and give you much less material (bumps ) on the flange you also will achieve more shrinkage THEN SIMPLY take the rest down towards the front . The same applies when shrinking on the wooden stump except it's done on the inside of the panel not the out side . By the way... those shrinking hammers are only good as meat tenderizers

[@xmo552]

By "front" do you mean in the inside of the curve ?

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

thanks peter. big admirer of your work

[@AerialLensVideo]

THANK YOU! Really well done video - Very consise yet also comprehensive, covering quite a lot. Being on a tight metalworking budget (more time than money here), this is so helpful in showing what I ACTUALLY NEED to do a good job.

[@gavin6538]

A very good explanation of the options. The first time I watched a shrinking fork wasJaphands making one. He then showed how to use it and it looked a mess until the last few minutes it all became clear that it was very effective at doing the job and you suddenly understand. A bit like watching Rolf Harris drawing you think what the hell is he doing then you have that moment when you get what he was drawing. That just showed my age a bit.

[@bennyhill3642]

I can really understand what your showing us. I cant say that for alot of the vids on stretching and shrinking metal. Gr8 vid thanks again😇😁

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks 👍

[@GuideCoatGarage]

Excellent video, cheers.

[@ryannichols8315]

I use a propane Torch on body panels all the time. The trick is when it's popping in and out, if it's right when it pops in. Then you just need to heat the area and quench it. It will usually retract to that popped in position. If it's the out position. Then take a body hammer with the spike and hit it in the middle to basically stretch it to the middle in a tighter spot. And start shrinking.

[@jmartin4030]

Good video, now I know why my shrinking hammer didn't work, I don't have a shrinking dolly.. didn't know they existed until now, thank you...

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks for watching 👍 glad you liked it.

[@VanishingNomad]

Shrinking hammers are meant to be used with heat. If you use them cold, you damage the sharp points on the surface and they stop working. So go to the section where he heat shrinks with the torch, use your shrinking hammer there. Thats how they are meant to be used. I am not sure why no one knows this anymore, but it was common knowledge when i was a kid (I am 55 now)

[@samrodian919]

A very, very informative video Tom. Thank you for that. 'It's a pity I didn't know about there methods 35 or so years ago when I was repairing a front corner crash damaged VW caravanette I had bought ended having to make and put in a new n/s floor pan coz I could not get the ripples out of it lol. The front panel had to have a fair lot of filler in it to get rid of the dents !

[@oldmanonabike233]

Excellent explanation, thanks.

[@jimmyattard1446]

Tom, I've watched shrinking videos for years, all showing different methods with out a clear message of why their way works. Thanks for bringing all the ideas together so rookies like me can understand! Two questions... #1 Why the ardent dislike for shrinking hammer process? Is it marring the surface that you dislike or is there more that's negative about it? #2 I successfully stretched out my wheel wells to gain tire clearance by 1/4"at the top. After a while, a slight wave appeared on the body about 3"over the top. I have no access from behind for a dolly. Would you recommend i use a shrinking disc to get the body above the wheel arch back down? Thanks ahead of time.

[@tinwerx9871]

Yet another great video! Thought you may like to know that many years ago before Wray invented the shrinking disc I was taught that if you use 2old sanding discs(not Velcro or self adhesive) face to face using the rear smooth surface also works, some discs really smell bad though! I have also used an old stainless saucepan lid to make a shrinking disc but sanding discs are safer!

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Hi 👋 thank you! We still use the upside down sanding disc technique and it works really well! Another great way that not many people know about! 👍

[@jraposo911]

Love these techniques

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you 👨‍🏭

[@woodwardmotors6758]

Nice to see your pullmax dies work so well👌

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Hey Tom yeah they work well.there’s still a bit more refinement to do with them to get them working better tho. 👍

[@custom.restore]

Great tutorial guys!! Nice to see the channel grow too 💪

[@daos3300]

very nice presentation. when using the tucking fork, if you heat the tucks before hammering it'll curve quicker and you'll save yourself a few rounds of hammering.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Indeed, this was just a quick overview on each separate technique, we're assuming most people won't have oxytetracycline at home.

[@DGRetroCustoms]

awesome video, never seen the shrinking disk used before but it looks very effective I may have to invest

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Cheers Danny 👍 yeah it’s an awesome tool. Stakesy’s do one for £50 but I couldn’t afford that at the time hence making one.

[@DGRetroCustoms]

@@Metal_shaper_tom looks spot on for removing warpage after welding will defo be looking for one when i am a little more flush

[@Freebird67]

Excellent as ever Tom thanks

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks Wade 👨‍🏭

[@hellkell8693]

Don’t you work harden the metal with all the bending and hammering? would annealing the metal during the process be a benefit? Great video, cleared up some of my long held confusions. Thank you.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Yes absolutely. Will all depend on what your making at those time

[@dougwernham5209]

Excellent video very helpful thank you.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks Doug 👍

[@billkahl1147]

Great video with a lot of useful content. Thanks for posting.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Cheers bill 👍

[@seanalexander9531]

Awesome tips - thanks!

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Cheers Sean 👍

[@Bigskyguy56]

A great tutorial on Shrinking Metal. You provided good & useful info. Have you considered doing a tutorial on Stretching metal & the assorted tools & processes? Rick

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Hey Rick . Thanks for watching. If I’m honest no not really as I don’t think it would be that popular (I may be wrong) I certainly won’t rule it out for a possible video in the future. As your Watching quite a few of our videos now what type of thing would you like to see?

[@davidcraemer8227]

Awesome video, thank you.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Cheers David 👍

[@johnwillman3216]

Sorry I hit the wrong hand. Very good video

[@Piekielnikskateboarding]

Great video well explained subject 👍👍👍

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you 👨‍🏭

[@newideas123-y3r]

Very very nice

[@nexpro6985]

That was bangin'

[@Squintanditsmint]

Nice one, thanks for pulling this together.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks 👍

[@Defender110SLO]

Ciao and thanks. Cheers. 🍻

[@StevesConsul]

Another great video Tom, nice to have all the shrinking methods in one video. I still haven't solved the oil canning on my doors, if I run a shrinking disk all over the high area do you think that would stop oil canning ?

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Hey Steve! Thanks very much. Personally I would say yes it would work but I wouldn’t want to be responsible for you spending £50 on one and it doesn’t 😬 if you get what I mean.

[@kieren7763]

When I first started I used to make one piece reverse cowls making a long u shape first with the bead in the middle then tuck shrinking the 3 to 5 inch edge kind of like your were then trim the bonnet profile and roll all the edges and do wire edge on the back they looked awsome but the tuck shrinking still gives me nightmares used to take about 40 hours to make them with a power hammer not even a full day

[@rogerphillips450]

Thank you.

[@JazzStrat781]

Great video 👍 new subscriber here, I appreciate all of your content

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thanks for subscribing 👍

[@Joe.Doucette]

Good quick overview video, Tom. Like you, I've never been a fan of "shrinking" hammers. They are meat tenderizers at best and not even good at that. ;)

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Well put joe! Reminds me when I brought an apprentice a meat tenderiser and told him it was a shrinking hammer lol

[@Joe.Doucette]

Hahahahahhaha! That must have been fun.

[@jessejenks5401]

Hi, what technique could I use to shrink in the middle of a thin aluminum 6061 T6 panel? I have a small dent from a rock in my airplane. It’s only about 1/2 inch around, but I’m afraid if I hammer it out I will just stretch the metal. It’s in a large flat area. Thanks!

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

I much you can do really. Try putting a strip of leather over a Dolly and gently tap down to avoid stretching

[@jessejenks5401]

@@Metal_shaper_tom ok, I’ll give it a try. Thanks!

[@johnterschak120]

Tom, Are you in the States or UK. Where?

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Uk based

[@russelljones5294]

thanks for the video, it was very informative. can you give me some info (manufacturer/supplier) on the blue english wheel you were using. i currently have a low-end budget machine and would like to move up to something a little better, do you have any recommendations for a mid-range tool?

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Hi Russell. It’s a stakesy’s prototype so not actually on sale yet and will be in the region of £1000 it’s a copy of a Justin baker wheel that is £2400 . Baileighs cheap wheel at £700 is also very practical but not cast. Hope this helps a little

[@Mtlmshr]

I also don’t use the “shrinking” hammers never liked them because they never worked for me!

[@eaglebaldonetough4074]

Hi!These machines let marks on metal!Wray schelin work does not...

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Fantastic 👍

[@stick9648]

Wray is a magician, he can turn metal into clay and back again , be careful very careful when trying his magic.

[@mikepruett1745]

how bout on todays cars ??

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

What about today’s cars . Give me an example

[@mikepruett1745]

@@Metal_shaper_tom the hss on these cars is not that forgiving

[@sblack48]

Shrinking hammers and dollies are horrible things and should be outlawed.

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

😂 agree

[@jimmyattard1446]

Do you not like the shrinking hammer because it Mars the surface or is there another reason? I'm just a beginner so the details are important. Thx

[@sblack48]

@@jimmyattard1446 it does more than mars it, it mangles it

[@jimmyattard1446]

Thx Mr Black

[@basilwatson1]

😀...its a science from the gods ... stick with Uri Geller ,,, at least he made things achievable! ( just kidding ! the talent these folks have is awe-inspiring! )

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Thank you Stephan 👍

[@markpullen6116]

I had a bolt shrink, just by removing it from my derrallieur gear on my racing bike to replace the wire, I had to go and buy a replacement bolt because the one I had, no longer fitted due tom mysterious shrinkage, I went to my mates house and explained what had happened and he claimed this was an impossibility, but when I showed him he was a mystifed as i was and saw how wrong we all are when we say it is impossible for a metal bolt to just shrink, with no extreme heating or cooling or anything, we are both living witnesses to the contrary and NO im not joking or making it up or anything. My only question is just out of idle curiosity, does anyone understand why the fuck this happened

[@Metal_shaper_tom]

Haven’t got a clue 🤷‍♂️