Dez
Club Retro Rides Member
And I won't sit down. And I won't shut up. And most of all I will not grow up.
Posts: 11,714
Club RR Member Number: 34
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Nov 23, 2014 10:59:47 GMT
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ive always done this job the old fashioned way, but ive got a fair few bits of window channel and the like to make up soon, so i was considering investing in a set.
but whos is best? the frost ones look ok for 175 quid with two bodies, it also appears the metz ones have a good rep too. or is there other brands i should be looking at?
more than anything I'm worried about servicability as I'm sure i'll use it quite a lot once i have it. i notice they sell replacement jaws for them, but I'm not sure why, i didnt think theyd be a wearing part? but how long are a set expected to last?
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RetroMat
Posted a lot
Column Shifting!
Posts: 3,442
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Nov 23, 2014 11:16:43 GMT
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I've just purchase the Metz one, seem pretty good quality. I've only been playing with it so far but i've got a few camper window channels to make up. The metz ones look pretty similar to the frost ones, getting the 2 separate bodies would be beneficial as jaws changing is a bit of a pain. We've got a much older shinker (like 50years old)at work and the teeth have pretty much worn away, so they are defiantly a wearing part! I've read a few articles about keeping the jaws oiled and put a piece of card in between the jaws when no in use to preserve their life.
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Last Edit: Nov 23, 2014 11:22:46 GMT by RetroMat
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drpete
Part of things
Posts: 125
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Nov 23, 2014 19:38:47 GMT
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I brought one from frost about 6 years ago and the jaws lose there bite but still work I do use them alot more valuable to me that my English wheel, I think there all made the same the ones I've seen if you can get deep throated one really handy
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drpete
Part of things
Posts: 125
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Nov 23, 2014 19:43:42 GMT
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Oh forgot to say ally can clog the teeth so keep them clean
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Nov 24, 2014 12:30:27 GMT
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What do they do?
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RetroMat
Posted a lot
Column Shifting!
Posts: 3,442
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Nov 24, 2014 21:53:25 GMT
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They shrink or stretch metal, very usefull for making curves (wheel arch lips, window channel repairs etc)
Youtube explains much better than I can!
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Last Edit: Nov 24, 2014 21:54:50 GMT by RetroMat
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Recommended!
I used a combined shrinker/strecher at our local car club, NERC @ Tyneside. Very useful and I expect theirs gets semi-regular use as it's in their machine shop - it seems to last well. Not 100% sure but think it was Clarke / Machine Mart. Can any NERC locals confirm the make for us?
Theirs is foot operated, worked well for me as you have both hands free to work the piece. Expect bench/vice mounted to be more clumsy to use.
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Nov 25, 2014 22:05:03 GMT
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I've just bought one of the Metz ones. Not used it yet, but looking at that vid, it'll be a useful tool. Wish I'd had one when I did my windscreen pillar!
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Nov 25, 2014 22:35:02 GMT
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Eckold are the best. A lot of money but you get what you pay for
Sent from my GT-I9505 using proboards
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Nov 27, 2014 21:33:07 GMT
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It's a LOT of money - and they take up loads of space - but these are amazing: www.baileighindustrial.co.uk/shrinker-stretcher-floor-stand-mss-16f-1The pedal is about a billion times easier than a hand-lever to operate, as you've more strength and leverage, while having both hands free to position the work is a boon. Quick-change jaws help a lot too.
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Nov 27, 2014 23:03:16 GMT
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some of the videos by lazze metal shaping are good for learning how to use them and tweak them to work properly
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Dec 14, 2014 21:42:17 GMT
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We use the frost one in our bodyshop it's a quality item which works well .the jaws are a wearable part keep a piece of cardboard between the jaws when not in use .
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drdick
Part of things
Posts: 359
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Just got the Metz one from eBay and it seems to work well although i have nothing to compare with. The real advantage is that if you are patient you can win an auction one for about 80 quid.
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hairymel
Club Retro Rides Member
avatar by volksangyl
Posts: 1,081
Club RR Member Number: 207
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Feb 10, 2015 21:05:20 GMT
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best budget option is to wait for a unit buddy to buy one.... thanks dr.rich
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whats that burning smell?
oh curse word :-(
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Feb 10, 2015 21:18:32 GMT
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Been planning on getting one of these, but I might just copy Mel and get a helpful unit buddy instead....
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'96 Volvo 850T5 x2, '97 Alfa 145 Cloverleaf '96 Alfa 155, '91 XR2i 2.0 Zetec (sold), '88 BMW 520i slug (sold), '81 Escort Mk3 Project, '68 Mk1 Escort Estate, Berlingo Parts Chaser.
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786
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Feb 10, 2015 22:25:06 GMT
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We bought one a couple of years ago. Same one Frost sell, but about 40% cheaper. I'll see if I can find the invoice cos I can't remember who it was.
If you're looking to do a lot I seriously recommend getting a combined shrinker stretcher, cos I constantly changing jaws gets very tedious very quickly! (I can do it in less than 30 seconds now)
We got the hands operated one, but made a replacement handle fitted with a 'stirrup' on a chain to make it foot operated.
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Bringing this back to the top, I have a fair bit of panel making to do on the van and need a shrinker/stretcher. It will no doubt be useful on numerous other projects too so I'd like to future proof a bit but don't have the budget to buy a 'proper' one nor the floor space for a standing one. I was originally planning to buy the Frost/Eastwood ones with the bench vice mount www.frost.co.uk/shrinker-stretcher-set-2b-2j/www.frost.co.uk/eastwood-shrinker-stretcher-base-plate/so let's say a budget of £250, but I'm concerned that the limited (assume 1") throat might get in the way for some projects. Has anyone bought this style and found this to be a problem for general low-level DIY restoration? The Metz ones are the same price but have a 3" throat, no idea if they're the same mounting for the base plate but presumably £20 will be enough to make a base plate. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metz-Tools-Pair-Shrinker-Stretcher-metal-working-tool-classic-car/254226678609?hash=item3b31174351:g:9JQAAOSwyQVc1XQCOr I can buy one with an 8" throat, but would have to swap the jaws over to change between shrinking and stretching. Ebay Shrinker Stretcher
Would the advantage of a deeper throat outweigh the tedium of constantly changing the jaws? Or by the time a deeper throat becomes an advantage are you at the stage of needing an English Wheel anyway?
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Project Diary1975 Viva / 1988 T25 Camper / 1989 Mini / 1991 MX5 / 1992 Mini / 1994 Saab 9000 / 1997 Saab 9000 / 2008 Saab 9-5
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I bought a pair of Eastwood ones, I dropped on an eBay sale for a good price. They've been very good. I'd say they're a 1" jaw, and I haven't had a major issue with that for the jobs I've been doing.
I think I would have found it annoying to have to keep switching jaws if I only had the single body version. For example today I've been making a repair for the edge of a door pillar, and it's handy to be able to easily and quickly shrink something if you've over-stretched it, like I keep doing. One of the parts I make is like a double-L shape, and to get a curve in it means shrinking the top while stretching the bottom, and vice versa. Having to switch the jaws about would make that a real pain.
I don't really have a problem doing the stretch operation just using a cross-pein hammer as described in TonyBMWs "making panels" thread, but I never mastered the shrinking job. The shrinker part of this is ideal.
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Pretty sure most are badge engineered in the same factory in China. As already stated, look at Lazze’s video on them. Common sense really,but a bit of a tweak improves them considerably. I still long for the day I find some Muppet selling his recently deceased Grandad’s Eckold for a tenner 🤣🤣
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