Shrinker stretcher

[BrokenBiker]

So, we do Xmas at my father's a day early and just received a vevor manual shrinker stretcher.

I know the basics of how they work and what they can do...

But what thickness material can I put through them?

Initial ideas are things like seat cowls for cafe racer project later next year and some decorative ally bits to put bends in flat bar the hard way...1mm steel is probably all I will need but what about the ally?

Will probably end up making repair panels for the land rover at some point as well, so couples with the bead roller and press I think I can make some pretty interesting shapes

 

[Fazerruss]

It will do 1.5mm steel at a push and 2mm Aluminium

 

[BrokenBiker]

It will do 1.5mm steel at a push and 2mm Aluminium

Mint, cheers.

More than I will need but good to know it can do it.

 

[droopsnoot]

If you have the instructions with it, there's normally a spec on what it's designed to take, so take a bit off those numbers and that'll be about right. I've got a pair of, I think, Eastwood ones that I use mainly with 1.0mm steel, but I have done some 1.2mm with it. The biggest problem with mine is that the plates that retain the jaws have slots rather than holes for the mounting screws, they're thumbscrews so can only tighten so far, and they keep coming undone. I've welded some washers onto the stretcher, but not got around to it yet on the shrinker. My deep throated one already has holes instead of slots.

Very useful thing once you're used to it.

 

[BrokenBiker]

If you have the instructions with it, there's normally a spec on what it's designed to take, so take a bit off those numbers and that'll be about right. I've got a pair of, I think, Eastwood ones that I use mainly with 1.0mm steel, but I have done some 1.2mm with it. The biggest problem with mine is that the plates that retain the jaws have slots rather than holes for the mounting screws, they're thumbscrews so can only tighten so far, and they keep coming undone. I've welded some washers onto the stretcher, but not got around to it yet on the shrinker. My deep throated one already has holes instead of slots.

Very useful thing once you're used to it.

No instructions came with it even though it's new. I know it would do atleast 1mm as that's what I've seen most people putting through them.

Mine is the same yours, slots instead of holes and I did wonder about their holding power, if it's an issue I'll just close the slots with a bit of tig weld.

I've got a few things in mine to use it for just need to buy a sheet of 1mm and get practicing

 

[bricol]

Had mine a decade or two. Also welded washers on mine - bolted it up as it needed, tacked washers in place in-situ.

Worked well making car screen recessess etc.