How Does A Sheet Metal Shrinker Stretcher Work

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How does a sheet metal shrinker stretcher work. The metal shrinker stretcher basically does exactly what its name implies. Mark simpson demonstrates how to use a shrinker stretcher and how it can be a real time saver in the shop. Simple mechanical shrinker stretchers manual shrinker stretchers are commonly available tools that achieve the same results you have just obtained but through different means. Tape around the ends of your metal and then push it into the shrinker stretcher.

Commercial shrinker stretchers clamp the edge between pairs of jaws that are then drawn together to shrink it or pulled apart to stretch it. The serrated jaws put marks in the metal. Shrink or stretch metal. In this live video matt goes over how to use a shrinker stretcher.

John is correct about how they work. A shrinker stretcher is a valuable tool in sheet metal panel fabrication as well as fitting patch panels and other sheet metal parts. They do come in handy once in a while but if the working edge shows it s better to use a different method. As each one clamps down it also either compresses the metal or pulls it apart which creates the shrinking or stretching action.

Make several passes until you can feel the metal becoming softer. For the first pass only push the jaws together half way as this will prevent the fresh metal from bunching up. Their serrated jaws grip the metal and either force it laterally to shrink or stretch depending on the type of jaws installed. Shrinking sheet metal refers to shortening an edge of the sheet thus forcing it into a radius or curve.

It does this with two sets of jaws. Separate dies are available for shrinking and stretching. These don t work that way.