How To Stretch Sheet Metal

Stretching the profile of a piece of sheet metal will greatly increase the strength of the metal.

How to stretch sheet metal.

That stops the shrinking and controls the result of the operation. When your body panels were made a flat sheet of steel was placed onto a die in a powerful hydraulic press. The bulged spot is hammered back to level with the panel but no further as this would cause the metal to be hit directly against the dolly which would re stretch it. The basic principle of shrinking and stretching relies on squeezing the metal together or pulling it apart to stretch.

This process involves changing the shape of the metal and tends to put a bulge or curve into the panel. Start by inserting the fork into the edge of the sheet metal at the desired depth of the shrink you want to make. In this live video matt goes over how to use a shrinker stretcher. These two qualities are what make it so workable when it comes to forming or repairing a body panel on your car or truck.

Shrinker stretchers accomplish this with a pair of ribbed jaws that bite into. Save money by making your own windshield channels door jambs wheel openings and more. Then twist the handle of the tool to twist the metal around one side of the fork. The press came down and stamped out the correct shape.

You can shrink steel or you can stretch steel.