We have been able to do anything we needed with manual shrinker and stretcher... Just make sure you buy one of each and not one frame with two sets of jaws..Jason.
Hey, The shrinker/stretcher, as pictured, looks like the manual model that they've jus' air powered. I wouldn't look for this set up to be very long lived, given that the body and moving pieces were designed for manual usage. You would have to be doing a lot of shrinking or stretching to make a unit like this pay off. For a one man shop, the manual works jus' fine. Swankey Devils C.C. "Meanwhile, back aboard The Tainted Pork"
i absolutely love the pneumatic i got at the shop but then again iam lazy but its rather spendy. you could do anything you could ever wanna with a manual and it is a lot easier on the wallet
Finally got one, and I love it!! can't wait to use it on my model A project!!! go from straight to curvy in no time, it's great!!
Spend the money on a set that has QUALITY dies in it. Don't waste your money on the crap at Harbor Freight. Lastly, I prefer to use them manually. You can feel the pressure on the machine more so than using a pneumatic or hydraulic setup. good luck, Andy
I've to two manual units and they've served me well over the years. I'm thinking about buying one of the foot pedal operated stands do I have both hands for holding metal, but I can't really see a huge benefit to the hydrolic set-up given the cost involved
By the way this is the one I have... http://www.toolsplus1.com/shrstretch.htm Got it for a little less than they are selling it for, but well worth the price as much as it gets used. I'll pay the price for a quality tool.
the air cylinder looks like a non adjustable BIMBA unit, that would be the first thing that went into the garbage. you want a servicable one. see if they offer a optional cylinder if you decide to purchase the unit.
I got the foot operated unit from Baileigh so I could feel it, and use both hands... not disappointed in the least either
The Jalopy Journal
