A shrinker/stretcher is a valuable tool in sheet metal panel fabrication, as well as fitting patch panels and other sheet metal parts. Mark Simpson demonstrates how to use a shrinker stretcher and how it can be a real time saver in the shop.
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You mentioned that you fitted your fender skirts with the shrinker /stretcher , I want to fabricate a set of fender skirts for my 50 Buick . Most fender skirts have a oval shape at the top and two 90 degree corners at the bottom . My question after I cut out my shape allowing a 1/2 or so for the flange , What tool do I use to bend the 90 degree flange all the way around the curved shape of my fender skirt ? I see how I can shrink the mettle around a 90 degree corner with making several pie cuts and then welding it back together .
Thank you for your response ,Steve
Good morning Steve,
When fabricating metal it’s best to use a mix of tools and processes to achieve the results you desire. If I were going to build a set of fender skirts from scratch, I would start by hammer forming the upper curved edge on a buck made from plywood. You would get a nice edge on the metal and a shrinker/stretcher could then be used to fine tune the curvature.
Check out all of the hammer forming videos on the site, here is a link to the introduction:
http://www.classiccarrestorationclub.com/video/hammer-forming-an-overview-008758/
Wrench Safe!