Shrinking disc

A shrinking disc has its uses but it is not a substitute for planishing. If the panel is not stretched it does not need to be shrunk. If you have a rippled panel you need to dress the ripples out by planishing. If you then find it is stretched it will need shrinking. Metal has memory and will return to its former shape if it is treated in the right way.

David

 

I think mine are about .045.

Mindover makes a very good point. Shrinking, both torch, and disk is often used prematurely, causing additional damage. A "oil can" situation isn't always due to stretch. Make sure you have the shape corrected before you turn to heat.

 

Some good advice here. I have been watching some vids with guys dealing with dents using the dolly off method with a slapper bar. I welded my 1/4 skin on and have this to repair.

 

looks like you have to strech that area now and raise it.

 

That area is low you need to bump it up and possibly dress the surrounding area down.

David

 

I have been using a old 50 grit disc to do the same thing . I started in a body shop in the early 70s. and it was one of the first things the owner showed me how to do. Save your money.

 

Turn a fibre disc over and its even better than a stainless disc but don't use it for too long. This was how it was done in the old days. Use face protection.

However that area does not need shrinking.


David

 

I usually go through multiple cycles of hammering it into an oil can, then shrinking it into a low spot, hammering out to oil can, shrink into low spot...

 

No need to go through all that, if you use the right method it's a simple process. I show a little metal finishing on my youtube footage.

David

 

Old thread but it came up on the search.



So now I'm shopping for a new shrinking disk. And of course I need it yesterday.

 

After reading this I may need more schooling. I'm going to try a place on one of my hood sides tomorrow to see if I can fix it or...........

 

Try wolfesmetalfabrication.com/sdisc

They ship quick.


Best regards,

Troy

Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

What he said^
I ordered a set with a 4-1/2 and a 9 inch disc.....shipped fast and real happy with the quality.

 

Don't even think about using one that doesn't have the upturned lip on the O.D. That's got to be one of the most dangerous tools I've ever seen.

 

Do you guys have soft start grinders in Canada and the USA? I have my shrinking disk on a 9" soft start grinder and it starts slow then speeds up. When it was on a non soft start grinder it would almost rip out of your hand on start.

But as someone in this tread said always start it resting on the panel and wait til is stops before lifting it off the panel.

I have oxy and the shrinking disk but always use the disk for shrinking - I only weld with the oxy. Used to use it for shrinking till I bought the disk. Took a while to get used to but once you get the hang of it it is great

 

I use a soft sanding disc turned around, you just need the friction

 

I bought the kit from Wolfes. Great products and shipped quick. Alliance vendor?