Shrinker spreader metal forming

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clementine

clementine

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What’s the best foot operated shrinker/spreader you have worked with? I don’t have a lot of floor space but i feel the bench top style looks like it takes an important arm (one hand instead of two) out of the metal control.

I could put a foot operated one on locking castors and forfeit awkwardness of an added 3” height to be able to move it easily.

Or…..

Am i over thinking it and for the amount of use that i will be using it for (floor pans for the 34 coupe) should i just get the bench model and save the floor space.

Thanks FABO!!
 
clementine said:
What’s the best foot operated shrinker/spreader you have worked with? I don’t have a lot of floor space but i feel the bench top style looks like it takes an important arm (one hand instead of two) out of the metal control.

I could put a foot operated one on locking castors and forfeit awkwardness of an added 3” height to be able to move it easily.

Or…..

Am i over thinking it and for the amount of use that i will be using it for (floor pans for the 34 coupe) should i just get the bench model and save the floor space.

Thanks FABO!!
Click to expand...
One consideration is going to be the length of the panel you are feeding into it.

You will need access to all sides in order to get the results you want as maneuverability of the panel is paramount.

I don't think a bench mount will work as you will be reaching over it to move the panel through and, as you already know, using one hand to do so.

Here's an idea based on this model.

Drill holes in each of the 4 corners on the base plate. (this one is already predrilled)

Set up in suitable place on concrete floor (if that's what you have.)

Mark hole positions on the floor using the base plate as a template.

Install flush mount concrete floor nutserts

POWER-Sert™ Adhesive Insert Anchor — Zinc-Plated Carbon Steel


Bolt the shrinker directly to the floor.

When finished, remove the bolts and cover with a flat plastic plug to keep the threads clean for the next time you want to use it.


1739892230441.png
 
Last edited:
Super-Cuda said:
One consideration is going to be the length of the panel you are feeding into it.

You will need access to all sides in order to get the results you want as maneuverability of the panel is paramount.

I don't think a bench mount will work as you will be reaching over it to move the panel through and, as you already know, using one hand to do so.

Here's an idea based on this model.

Drill holes in each of the 4 corners on the base plate. (this one is already predrilled)

Set up in suitable place on concrete floor (if that's what you have.)

Mark hole positions on the floor using the base plate as a template.

Install flush mount concrete floor nutserts

POWER-Sert™ Adhesive Insert Anchor — Zinc-Plated Carbon Steel


Bolt the shrinker directly to the floor.

When finished, remove the bolts and cover with a flat plastic plug to keep the threads clean for the next time you want to use it.


View attachment 1716367689
Click to expand...
I like it!!

Is this a model you have had success with? Or just a picture for example.
 
Seems like anything with a throat on it is Bookoo bucks.

Need to get lucky at an estate sale
 
156$ for this thing. Although not a striker spreader per say….

I wonder how long before it quits.

IMG_1761.png
 
I have a JS Tools unit and I consider it to be the finest shrinker stretcher made. They are manufactured in Sweden and have superior jaws compared to anything else produced.

Ron Covell is a pitch man for them. I went to a metalworking workshop and learned the differences of all the brands made, and afterwards I could see and understand the superiority

of the JS Tools over every other brand. I bought all 4 die sets, so I can shrink or stretch steel or aluminum. They are expensive, but it is a great tool.

Tom

 
Last edited:
harrisonm said:
If you are a hobbyist, it is hard to beat the ones from HarborFreight. I bought a pair from HarborFreight 20 years ago, and they still work fine. You can get the pair for $150. They used to make a foot pedal stand, which I bought, but I don’t think they have it anymore. The foot pedal operated stand from Eastwood will accommodate the harbor freight shrinker stretchers just fine. The shrinker stretchers Eastwood sells are a little more expensive, but they are almost View attachment 1716367882View attachment 1716367882View attachment 1716367883exactly the same as the HF ones.
Click to expand...
I think i need to get over the depth and get what i can.

A shear
Shrink/spreader
And other things are on the wish list to build the 34.

Love the industrial nature of the older machines but can’t find em and definitely not cheap.
 
If you are a hobbyist, the shrinker stretcher combo from Harbor Freight is hard to beat. I bought them 20 years ago, and they still work fine. I would highly recommend getting a foot operated stand. When I bought my shrinker stretchers combo from Harbor freight, they had a really nice stand I got that still works fine. I don’t know if they have it anymore, but the one from Eastwood should work fine. The shrinker stretchers From Harbor Freight are almost exactly the same as the ones from Eastwood.
IMG_9188.jpeg
IMG_9189.jpeg
 
I'd suggest snagging the HF ones to get started and if they don't have the capacity you need, they can quickly be resold to recoup most of the cost. I have a set and they've worked great. I love having quality tools and generally buy the best I can, but there are certain tools that are needed but not used all the time and in those cases I get the HF stuff so I can accomplish something. They aren't always great and more of a kit that needs improvement sometimes, but unless you've got a big budget or doing commercial work, spending $3500 on a tool that gets sporadic use isn't going to happen.
 
When I got insterested in metal shaping I bought the HF versions of these. Never used them and learned the proper way to do it. The problem with these is they chew the metal up pretty hard and it's difficult if not impossible to get the metal smooth again. If you aren't concerned about that, then they'll work great.

If however you don't want that, then I'd suggest learning how to use a "tuck" and anvil. You'll get much better results and you can do it with a hammer and dolly if need be.

EDIT: To be clear, just because I haven't used them, doesn't mean I wouldn't, just that I've not had as reason yet.
 
Last edited:
Cuda416 said:
When I got insterested in metal shaping I bought the HF versions of these. Never used them and learned the proper way to do it. The problem with these is they chew the metal up pretty hard and it's difficult if not impossible to get the metal smooth again. If you aren't concerned about that, then they'll work great.

If however you don't want that, then I'd suggest learning how to use a "tuck" and anvil. You'll get much better results and you can do it with a hammer and dolly if need be.

EDIT: To be clear, just because I haven't used them, doesn't mean I wouldn't, just that I've not had as reason yet.
Click to expand...

This is why I bought the JS Tool shrinker stretcher because it has finer serrations on the dies. They also have a bevel cut all the way around the top of the dies that to my knowledge none of the others have or use.

Tom
 
PROSTOCKTOM said:
This is why I bought the JS Tool shrinker stretcher because it has finer serrations on the dies. They also have a bevel cut all the way around the top of the dies that to my knowledge none of the others have or use.

Tom
Click to expand...

That would definatley be better. Best I've seen is similar what you'd use on a pullmax where the top and bottom dies are completely polished and leave no marks. At the end of the day, what matters is does the tool/technique do what you need and are willing to deal with or accept.
 

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