shrinking file

[tech69]

shrinking file. A journeyman let me borrow his to shrink down some highs and it seemed to work a little but I think his file wasn't a sharp one. Do you guys find them usefull and should I go with the one that's most coarse? Any particular brand?

[MARTINSR]

shrinking file. A journeyman let me borrow his to shrink down some highs and it seemed to work a little but I think his file wasn't a sharp one. Do you guys find them usefull and should I go with the one that's most coarse? Any particular brand?

Sorry, but in my opinion all it does is damage metal. Try a shrinking disc, now that shrinks without damage. I ground my "slapping file" smooth years ago making a spoon out of it.

Brian

[Len]

Sorry, but in my opinion all it does is damage metal. Try a shrinking disc, now that shrinks without damage. I ground my "slapping file" smooth years ago making a spoon out of it.

Brian

I'm with you on that Brian, the best it MAY do is not to stretch the metal quite as much as a flat piece of steel but it sure does tear up the surface.

[Len]

Because of a discussion I had with Craig at Dagger Tools I just put a shrink disk in the store. We use our stud welder for most shrinking but a shrink disk is definitely a good tool for this job.

LINK

Description Shrinking Disc 9" diameter for use on right angle grinders with 5/8"-11 spindles. Made from .060/.065 Stainless Steel, precision stamped for flatness and balance with a 90° turned up outer lip for added rigidity. Shrink effectively stretched or damaged metal panels by appling concentrated heating through surface contact friction generated between the disc and a clean body panel. A damaged area worked with the disc and rapidly cooled with shrink down highest points, first. Repeat the process as needed to work the panel uniformly and completely. Additionally the shrinking disc will planish and smooth out damaged surfaces. Also try on dressed out, butt welded seams. Learn to use virtually no fillers and the headaches that come with that finishing method. Surface to be repaired must be dollied up equal to or slightly higher for this form of shrinking to occur. Comes complete with a operation instruction manual.Includes backing pad.

[88GT]

I shrink with my stud gun

[Mooch]

I think the shrinking disc is without a doubt one of the best tools I have owned . Even though I no longer work on cars ,I still use it for other metal repairs .

There are a few really good videos out there for sale on the subject . Just Google "shrinking Disc "


Mooch

[tech69]

I have a shrinking disk. It works well and best with a clean disc. just thought maybe a more course file would do good shrinking. Guess not.

[John Kelly]

Those files are best used to highlight minor high spots as shown by restolad on youtube. Not my favorite method but this guy does beautiful work using this technique:

http://www.youtube.com/user/restolad

You can also use a shrinking disc just to highlight high spots.

Len, with respect, I wish you had gone with the guy who came up with the concept of a flat shrinking disc instead of one of the many copy cats. There are about 8-10 people who jumped on the band wagon after I started making discs from a concept suggested to me by Wray Schelin back in 2002. I modified the design slightly to what you see everyone making these days. He started making them after I did, and is who I recommend since I stopped making them. If you decide to change suppliers, please contact Wray Schelin at: wesparts@charter.net Please tell him I sent you. He is a struggling but great craftsmen. Too few of those left. We need to support them or they will not be here for us. To those that say get a patent, please be aware that small business people cannot possible afford to get and defend a patent. They have to rely completely on the ethics of others to keep from being ripped off by those who simply steal an idea without doing the hard work of developing a product, and proving it works.

John www.ghiaspecialties.com

[tech69]

so basically you're saying it reveals stuff but not really doing much. When I do notice it working it's very subtle and that could do with just mearly slapping and not even the shrinking aspect at all. I think what I'll do is just take a cheap file and put my mini propane torch on it and bend it and so that way I'm not investing in a tool I may not like after getting a better feel for it. Thanks for your reply.

[Primal]

shrinking file? ok got my interests what is this your talking about?

the shrinking disc idea makes sense... sorta. Holding a grinder on flat on a flat surface.. ok it will work.. none flat surface dont see how that will work very well. I would be leary of this one too likely to remove metal you dont want removed.

[tech69]

I do like the stud gun method but sometimes It's too concentrated. I like using the disk but for most cars I use the stud gun

What about the shrinking hammer and dolly? Anyone have success with that?

[Len]

I do like the stud gun method but sometimes It's too concentrated. I like using the disk but for most cars I use the stud gun

What about the shrinking hammer and dolly? Anyone have success with that?

Shrinking hammers and dollies don't actually shrink anything they allow you to level the metal without causing as much stretching as flat metal surfaces would. These tools are usually used while the metal is hot.

[Primal]

I do like the stud gun method but sometimes It's too concentrated. I like using the disk but for most cars I use the stud gun

What about the shrinking hammer and dolly? Anyone have success with that?

if you mean the ones with cam that twist the metal as you hit... they do work face is a royal pain to clean though. the others that are well meat tenderizers really dont shrink anything.

[tech69]

thanks guys. Just wondering about all my options

[C10Chas]

I have the Wray Schelin 9"scrinking disc and it is a very well made product and reasonably priced. I found mine on Ebay http://stores.ebay.com/Pro-Shaper-Tools-and-Videos