shrinker replacement dies?

I have a shrinker/stretcher combo in my shop and i think that the shrinker dies are worn. The shrinker doesn't hardly move the material like the stretcher. I would like to get a set of shrinking dies if i could find them. I searched online and tried the phone number on the label a couple times. Any help would be great!

 

Did you try taking it apart and cleaning it? Use a wire brush and compressed air to blow it out. You'd be suprised at the shavings in there. I also spray some wd-40 in there too.

 

X2 Black Primer is on the right track. Give it a good cleaning and I usually put a little grease on the bottom side of the dies. Makes a BIG difference.

The dies do wear out so that could be the problem but I'd try cleaning it good first.

 

Just looked at your pictures. That looks like an older set so maybe your dies are worn out if they have seen a lot of use.

Here is a link to new jaws. I have some other links saved, I'll see if I can find them.

http://www.tptools.com/Product.aspx?display_id=492

 

Another source for the dies if you need to replace them.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/cathome.php

 

Here's a few more links to jaws. Looks like Gulley is the cheapest at $110.00

http://www.toolsplus1.com/shstrep.htm

http://www.gulleyperformancecenter.com/lsas.htm

http://vansantent.com/sheet_metal_machines/shrinker_stretcher_tools.htm

 

Neil Dunder at GITZIT has developed a set of dies for your Lancaster style shrinker and stretcher that greatly reduces the marking made by the standard dies. He can stipple your current dies and make the other modifications to them or sell you a new set. These new dies don't mark the metal very much like the original style dies do. Here is a link to his website
http://www.gogitzit.com/ Give him a call. I have a lot of the products that he makes and am happy with all of them.

 

yea like they say clean it. maybe try to re polish the moving parts with one of those hard spongy sanding wheels. and file the teeth

 

I'll bet that if you take the jaws out of the holder you'll see the "teeth" clogged with metal shavings. Like others have said this needs to be cleaned out. I've never had compressed air remove everything. Instead I use a pick and dig/s****e the metal that's imbedded in the serations. Some of this debris can be stubborn to remove and until it's all gone you'll never restore the tool to "like new" operation. After cleaning a light application of oil on the wear surfaces will help the tool perform like new.

Frank

 

Thanks for the links and advice, i will try to clean them up tomorrow. Luke

 

I have the same setup you have.. and my shrinker dies have worn out as well. i managed to get a pair of dies from eastwood (because their store is close to me. )

personally i would suggest gulley

 

i have a set of neil dunder's dies

hands down the best there is on the market...........



thanks joe


johnny

 

As was mentioned earlier Neil Dunder has modified the Landcaster style jaws which will turn your shrinker/stretcher into a better tool than what you started with; using the original jaws.

He grinds off the serrated teeth, then restiples and modifies the Lancaster style jaws so that they will work with aluminum or steel; without marking the metal like the original jaws did.

He charges $75 each, exchange; for either shrinker or stretcher jaws. The jaws can also be purchased outright for $105 each.

Other than the jaws, the only other modification that you will have to do is place a 0.050" shim under the bottom jaw to re-center the jaws to put the handle back where it belongs.

Contact Neil at:

317-645-5724 or
317-984-4660

sales@gogitzit.com
http://www.gogitzit.com/

 

Took it apart, cleaned the jaws, oiled them and put it back together.....no luck i guess i gotta bite the bullet and replace them. thanks for all the info guys

 

are you sure the jaws are opening up the whole way? by that i mean spreading apart, when i cleaned my jaws i had to s****e the **** out, a wire brush just wouldn't do the job, another option is to replace the top with a couple of sections of flat file, you have to cut the tops down to make up for the added height of the file thinkness, i guess it comes down to how handy you are and how much money you want to spend.

 

Use a extreme pressure grease instead of oil, after a good cleaning; clean like what budd said.

 

Sent my shrinker set to neil today. I appreciate everyones responses. Luke

 

Ive heard good things about Neils stuff to and plan on doing mine with him. Also On lazze's youtube videos there is a video that he put up on how to "tune up" your shrinker/stretcher to get the most out of them as well!

 

It was recommended to me to clean the dies after
I finished each job,,as others have said take the dies out and clean them. HRP