Fashionable Fever! - 1969 Chevy C10 Build

[OneOffStroker]

I have the HF shrinker/stretcher, and I can assure you it can get that piece bent to the shape you need. You will need to mount it, or at the very least, clamp it in a vise so that you can work it a bit harder.

you will need to continue going a little past the marks you made to really bring out the right shape.

Finally, do a search on youtube about 'tuning up' a shrinker/stretcher. This involves some light sanding to the sides of the little jaws as well as oiling so that they glide on each other better. Make a difference for sure. I use my HF shrinker/stretcher all the time and it works quite good. I did make a mount and foot pedal for mine, so it's even easier to use now.

[ryans69chevy]

Originally Posted by OneOffStroker

I have the HF shrinker/stretcher, and I can assure you it can get that piece bent to the shape you need. You will need to mount it, or at the very least, clamp it in a vise so that you can work it a bit harder.

you will need to continue going a little past the marks you made to really bring out the right shape.

Finally, do a search on youtube about 'tuning up' a shrinker/stretcher. This involves some light sanding to the sides of the little jaws as well as oiling so that they glide on each other better. Make a difference for sure. I use my HF shrinker/stretcher all the time and it works quite good. I did make a mount and foot pedal for mine, so it's even easier to use now.

Appreciate the help. If you get a chance, you should post a picture of your foot pedal setup. I could see building that being worthwhile. I will figure out something to mount these to and give it another try.

[OneOffStroker]

Originally Posted by ryans69chevy

Appreciate the help. If you get a chance, you should post a picture of your foot pedal setup. I could see building that being worthwhile. I will figure out something to mount these to and give it another try.

Sorry it took me so long to respond. Been out of town.

I had some old 3" angle iron out back, so I cut it into a pretty simple little contraption that stands on the floor and has an arm that mounts into my bench vise. This was the best mix of portable/stowable as well as using the least amount of raw material to make. Foot pedal is pretty simple, and goes to a small bar with a little 'flag' mounted to it. pedal to arm is just a piece of 1/2" EMT conduit smashed on either end. Like I said, it's all made from whatever scrap worked out best. It takes about 1 minute to swap from shrinker to stretcher using the two bolts underneath and the allen screw that holds in the arm rod.

[ryans69chevy]

Originally Posted by OneOffStroker

Sorry it took me so long to respond. Been out of town.

I had some old 3" angle iron out back, so I cut it into a pretty simple little contraption that stands on the floor and has an arm that mounts into my bench vise. This was the best mix of portable/stowable as well as using the least amount of raw material to make. Foot pedal is pretty simple, and goes to a small bar with a little 'flag' mounted to it. pedal to arm is just a piece of 1/2" EMT conduit smashed on either end. Like I said, it's all made from whatever scrap worked out best. It takes about 1 minute to swap from shrinker to stretcher using the two bolts underneath and the allen screw that holds in the arm rod.

Appreciate the pictures on your setup. Gives me some ideas if I get tired of holding the piece with one hand and pumping with the other. Right now, I just bolted it to a plywood bench stand that I built when I hung my kitchen cabinets. Works nicely other than bending over to do the work.