How To Shrink Sheet Metal With A Torch

Start by placing the sheet metal over the bowl so it covers the bowl and lays as flat as you can hold it.

How to shrink sheet metal with a torch. Why not just heat it and gently hammer the swell down. A common recommended fix is to use oxy acetylene heat to create a localized hot spot that bulges the metal above the mean surface of the panel. Device to hold your torch safely while you re doing the hammering operation. This works the other doesn t.

This takes away some of the stretch. Get used to this idea and your abilities will grow. If you ve done it right this action will cause the metal to pucker on the edge and give you a little ripple or ridge. Do not over heat the steel.

The bulge can then be tapped down flat with a hammer and dolly to thicken the metal in that spot. Although dent shrinking can be achieved with a shrinking disc or a spitzenagle stud nailer gun in order to shrink a bead you will need a heat source that produces a flame. Once red hot quickly work the area with hammer and dolly to gather the metal into the centre of the cherry then deliver a swift blow to the centre of the heat shrink to push the metal back into itself. Propane can do the same thing although it is a much more.

I use a jack stand with a trim panel pry tool clamped to it to hold my torch.