Smoothing out dents

[Dan Partain]

Hi Brent,

I sure don't want trouble for me or anyone else. I did a lot of searching and didn't find this same book anywhere for sale, only some that look similar but are actually different books.

I couldn't find the same book even published under a different name. I'll pull the link if anyone knows for sure.

Thanks,

-DAN

[Dune Country]

in addition to a set of dollys and a couple of hammers a gunny sack full of sand is handy also.
Greg

[wrndln]

Dan,
I don't think anyone would mind you posting the bodywork information. I read a lot of it today. Thank you for your work putting it in PDF form to read it easily.
Rusty

[Bob C]

I think this is a newer version of the book http://www.amazon.com/Bumping-Instru...=metal+bumping

Bob

[Ron W]

Dan, You will not get in trouble for sharing the book. Copyright does not prevent you from sharing. It prevents you from claiming that you created it or selling it under your name. Thanks for posting. Ron W

[Ron W]

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Bob, that one is from Martin Tool & Forge. I like mine. It is similar but different. It can be purchased from any Martin Tool supplier. Ron W

[Purdy Swoft]

One of the handiest tools that I use to smooth out sheet metal is what old bodymen called a slapping dolly I have used large coarse files, heated them red hot in the center and bend an off set. I use the file as a slapping hammer and back it with the proper shaped dolly for the application . The file has a way of shrinking and smoothing rough metal. Some small dings can be picked out from the back side but will need to be backed with a dolly on the top side. A vixen file will remove small pick marks and reveal low spots. Any welds will shrink the metal and will need to be hammered and dollied until it can be streeched back into shape.

[Mike V. Florida]

Vixen file,

[Kevin in NJ]

The right knowledge did the trick for me. A lot of the word of mouth stuff and various comments are not always dead on correct and in some cases the exact opposite of what you need to do. I learned this the hard way.

I highlighted some information and put together some links of places to go learn.

Metalworking

Oh, a shrinking disk can be your best friend if you have the high speed grinder to attach it to, otherwise it will not work.

[Purdy Swoft]

Here is a picture of a slapping dolly in the center. I made it over forty years ago by heating and bending a 16 inch bastard file. I use the slapping dolly like a hammer and back the area that is being worked with a heel or other suitable dolly as pictured below. The vixen files pictured by Mike V was used to file over the worked area to remove minor high spots and reveal low spots. The vixen file was also used to file and shape lead. This isn't a fix all for all metal work but will help in some areas.

[Allanw]

Originally Posted by wrndln

You might try a shrinking disc. I have used one and it helps shrink the dents, but the heavy model A sheetmetal takes a lot of work verses the relatively thin modern day car sheetmetal...

Here is a video of a shrinking disc in action. I'm sure it hepls to know what you are doing, but it certainly looks less "dangerous" that torch shrinking!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPFUz-gZLqo