How To Stretch Sheet Metal

Save money by making your own windshield channels door jambs wheel openings and more.

How to stretch sheet metal.

When your body panels were made a flat sheet of steel was placed onto a die in a powerful hydraulic press. Stretching the p rofile of the metal. This process involves changing the shape of the metal and tends to put a bulge or curve into the panel. That stops the shrinking and controls the result of the operation.

The bulged spot is hammered back to level with the panel but no further as this would cause the metal to be hit directly against the dolly which would re stretch it. In this live video matt goes over how to use a shrinker stretcher. The press came down and stamped out the correct shape. Start by inserting the fork into the edge of the sheet metal at the desired depth of the shrink you want to make.

Then remove the tool and move it over so the fork will roll the metal over the other side of the fork by twisting the metal the other direction. These two qualities are what make it so workable when it comes to forming or repairing a body panel on your car or truck. Then twist the handle of the tool to twist the metal around one side of the fork. In the traditional torch shrinking method a damp sponge may be applied to the shrink spot to quench it.

Shrinker stretchers accomplish this with a pair of ribbed jaws that bite into.