How Does A Sheet Metal Shrinker Stretcher Work

Tape around the ends of your metal and then push it into the shrinker stretcher.

How does a sheet metal shrinker stretcher work.

A shrinker stretcher is a valuable tool in sheet metal panel fabrication as well as fitting patch panels and other sheet metal parts. Save money by making your own windshield channels door jambs wheel openings and more. Commercial shrinker stretchers clamp the edge between pairs of jaws that are then drawn together to shrink it or pulled apart to stretch it. Mark simpson demonstrates how to use a shrinker stretcher and how it can be a real time saver in the shop.

A shrinker stretcher is a valuable tool in sheet metal panel fabrication as well as fitting patch panels and other sheet metal parts. It does this with two sets of jaws. Their serrated jaws grip the metal and either force it laterally to shrink or stretch depending on the type of jaws installed. They do come in handy once in a while but if the working edge shows it s better to use a different method.

John is correct about how they work. Once the shrinker stretcher is secure you can start to work on the metal. As each one clamps down it also either compresses the metal or pulls it apart which creates the shrinking or stretching action. The metal shrinker stretcher basically does exactly what its name implies.

Simple mechanical shrinker stretchers manual shrinker stretchers are commonly available tools that achieve the same results you have just obtained but through different means. For the first pass only push the jaws together half way as this will prevent the fresh metal from bunching up. In this live video matt goes over how to use a shrinker stretcher. Shrinking sheet metal refers to shortening an edge of the sheet thus forcing it into a radius or curve.

Mark simpson demonstrates how to use a shrinker stretcher and. Shrink or stretch metal. Make several passes until you can feel the metal becoming softer.