Metal Shrinking Tools
Shrinking metal helps you remove imperfections such as cracks and dents from your metal piece. This is especially helpful if you have a dent in the body of your vehicle or stainless steel appliance. You need the proper tools to adequately shrink and shape your metal work piece. Always take precautions when working with flames, including wearing a protective face mask, gloves and long sleeves and pants. Does this Spark an idea?
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Torch
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If you are working on a smaller section of metal, use a welding torch. This tool runs on either propane gas or oxy-acetylene, which is a type of air torch. You can adjust the flame on the torch depending on how hot you want the metal to get. Once it is hot enough, shape it, and then plunge in it water or rub a wet cloth or sponge against the metal. If you are working with large pieces of metal, use tongs and an open flame. You must, however, keep the flame hot enough to heat up the metal, and you need a large work area.
Hammer
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After you heat up your metal, use a shrinking hammer, which helps quickly shrink the metal. This hammer has either two round heads or one round head and a pick on the reverse side. As you strike the metal with the head, the metal contracts, and you keep striking the metal until it is the correct size. Use this tool in conjunction with dollies and spoons.
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Spoons/Dollies
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A spoon has a wide, flat head, and you place this head over the metal you are striking with the hammer. It gives you a flat, stable surface to work with. Dollies usually have different shapes, ranging from oblong to square to round. The dolly sits behind the metal, and it helps you shape the metal as you are striking it. For example, you can use the dollies to reshape dents in your car.
Disc
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A shrinking disc is a circular, metal disc that spins rapidly. You place this disc up against the metal, and the metal gets hot due to the friction between the tool and the metal surface. This tool works well for finishing work or for working with extremely small dents or imperfections. You need a grinder to use the disc. A grinder is a hand-held power tool with a rotating pad, and it usually has two handles to help you control the movement of the disc. Wet down the surface of the metal when you are done shrinking it with the shrinking disc.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit metal image by Mike Phillips from Fotolia.com
