The Ford Barn

Craig Lewis · 03-04-2013, 01:26 AM

These only show up very occassionally.
Does anyone know ...were they an effective tool?
I think it would be my garage sale dream find

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ws/eBayISAPI....:B:WNA:CA:1123

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 03-04-2013, 06:51 AM

Hi Craig, I actually have a pair of these and they do work satisfactorily. They are not as effective as a nice beefy English Wheel (not a Harbor Freight style) but they are probably easier to use that a "wheel". Bob Johnson has some photos of my unit listed on his website (http://wiki.modelahouse.com/tech/fender/index.html ). Click on the Dent Removal tutorial and scroll down to see both my units in use.

spike · 03-04-2013, 07:15 AM

I have the larger one I wouold sell if someone is interested. Getting to old to do heavy fender work anymore. I paid 350 for it 12 years ago and would let it go for 375 pls shipping.

Kevin in NJ · 03-04-2013, 08:19 AM

Like all good tools they are not without there learning curve.

It is not just a matter running them on a messed up fender. You can make a messed up fender well beyond repair with improper use. In fact, I would likely pay more for an untouched damaged fender then one that someone tried to repair.

Other tools that give similar results are the air hammer frame variants such as:

Watervliet

There is a Harbor Freight variety too.

I have the Watervliet (and a few others) and tried it on a fender that must have been driven with loose snow chains. It was a pitted rear fender and it made a good test case. With a bit of experience I can see how these tools can work wonders. I also know they can just as easily ruin a fender's shape.

Then there is the time tested and slow hammer and dolly techniques. Augmented with a shrinking disk and you have decent results.

The powered tools and the hand wheels are trouble because they can over work the metal too fast. They can quickly stretch the metal and on some curves this can be the kiss of death to all the but the best and experienced metal workers. I had to fight this problem with a fender I had and is the reason why I would rather fix a nasty bent up fender over correcting bad metal work. I had to compromise and have a shape I did not like, but I just could not get it exactly right after a lot of work.

My take, If you are just doing one car. Learn the metal work (see my tech tidbits on metal work), get some high quality body hammers and dollies, and get a shrinking disk set up. Pretty low cost and a lot of bang for the buck. Plus you will still use them if you go more advanced.

The most important tool in body work is a well educated brain.
You have to be good at solving some puzzles.

glenn in camino · 03-04-2013, 08:32 PM

Many years ago I borrowed one, from a friend, It was a little bigger and worked great.

luckyal · 03-05-2013, 09:28 AM

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I bought one for my garage at Hershey 10 years ago. And you are right, there is a substantial learning curve. I decided to sell it and take the fender to someone who had already gone thru the learning curve process. Usually it is best to leave the difficult work to the experts even if it costs a little more. Right Brent ??
Al

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-05-2013, 07:57 PM

Had an accident with my '30, (not to be talked about) just forward of the crown of the L/F fender, it left a dent as if a 31 LB bowling ball was dropped on it from 17 FT. high. While an assistant heated it with a rosebud tip, my EXPERT friend straightened it beautifully! Finished it top & bottom, with NO Bondo & only used several coats of primer to finish it. Man! there's lots of metal to work with in those old Ford fenders! Bill W.

03-04-2013, 01:26 AM	#1
Craig Lewis Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Parksville B.C. Canada Posts: 880	Cool fender fix tool These only show up very occassionally. Does anyone know ...were they an effective tool? I think it would be my garage sale dream find http://www.ebay.ca/itm/ws/eBayISAPI....:B:WNA:CA:1123

03-04-2013, 06:51 AM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,972	Re: Cool fender fix tool Hi Craig, I actually have a pair of these and they do work satisfactorily. They are not as effective as a nice beefy English Wheel (not a Harbor Freight style) but they are probably easier to use that a "wheel". Bob Johnson has some photos of my unit listed on his website (http://wiki.modelahouse.com/tech/fender/index.html ). Click on the Dent Removal tutorial and scroll down to see both my units in use. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

03-04-2013, 07:15 AM	#3
spike Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jackson Michigan Posts: 245	Re: Cool fender fix tool I have the larger one I wouold sell if someone is interested. Getting to old to do heavy fender work anymore. I paid 350 for it 12 years ago and would let it go for 375 pls shipping.

03-04-2013, 08:19 AM	#4
Kevin in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South East NJ Posts: 3,398	Re: Cool fender fix tool Like all good tools they are not without there learning curve. It is not just a matter running them on a messed up fender. You can make a messed up fender well beyond repair with improper use. In fact, I would likely pay more for an untouched damaged fender then one that someone tried to repair. Other tools that give similar results are the air hammer frame variants such as: Watervliet There is a Harbor Freight variety too. I have the Watervliet (and a few others) and tried it on a fender that must have been driven with loose snow chains. It was a pitted rear fender and it made a good test case. With a bit of experience I can see how these tools can work wonders. I also know they can just as easily ruin a fender's shape. Then there is the time tested and slow hammer and dolly techniques. Augmented with a shrinking disk and you have decent results. The powered tools and the hand wheels are trouble because they can over work the metal too fast. They can quickly stretch the metal and on some curves this can be the kiss of death to all the but the best and experienced metal workers. I had to fight this problem with a fender I had and is the reason why I would rather fix a nasty bent up fender over correcting bad metal work. I had to compromise and have a shape I did not like, but I just could not get it exactly right after a lot of work. My take, If you are just doing one car. Learn the metal work (see my tech tidbits on metal work), get some high quality body hammers and dollies, and get a shrinking disk set up. Pretty low cost and a lot of bang for the buck. Plus you will still use them if you go more advanced. The most important tool in body work is a well educated brain. You have to be good at solving some puzzles.

03-04-2013, 08:32 PM	#5
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Cool fender fix tool Many years ago I borrowed one, from a friend, It was a little bigger and worked great.

03-05-2013, 09:28 AM	#6
luckyal Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: wherever I am today, whatzit matter Posts: 431	Re: Cool fender fix tool Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I bought one for my garage at Hershey 10 years ago. And you are right, there is a substantial learning curve. I decided to sell it and take the fender to someone who had already gone thru the learning curve process. Usually it is best to leave the difficult work to the experts even if it costs a little more. Right Brent ?? Al

03-05-2013, 07:57 PM	#7
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Cool fender fix tool Had an accident with my '30, (not to be talked about) just forward of the crown of the L/F fender, it left a dent as if a 31 LB bowling ball was dropped on it from 17 FT. high. While an assistant heated it with a rosebud tip, my EXPERT friend straightened it beautifully! Finished it top & bottom, with NO Bondo & only used several coats of primer to finish it. Man! there's lots of metal to work with in those old Ford fenders! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"