aluminium shrinker pliers

[el paso mod 19]

I have seen shrinker pliers but can't seem to find who sells them. They look like they are from the "1950" but work really well. They have "duck bill" with about 2-3 indents and you just squeeze handles like channel locks. Can anybody help?

[Kwoods25]

make your own, thats what i did. they are very simple to make. i found the plans on the net for them awhile back, cannot seem to find them now.

[jamminjayman5]

Home Depot and Lowe's should have them. That's where I got mine.

[save the racers]

They are called pipe crimpers. For hvac work

[el paso mod 19]

Thanks, didn't think about Lowe's or Home Depot.

[Dirtracer50]

I was in Home Depot yesterday and noticed they had them right by the tin snips and pliers.

[andy29]

i get all my sheet metal tools from bodybuilderraceequipment.com really really nice stuff

[el paso mod 19]

Thanks Andy, that is the one I was looking for.

[JustAddDirt]

the pipe crimpers will work, but if you double over the material, it will start to bend the duct pliers, and they will start to not crimp as much.
I built my own out of vise grips.
took some 1/4" round bar and cut 3 pieces at 1" long.
welded 1 bar in dead center of vice grip jaw.
welded the other 2 on the opposite jaw on the outside of the center jaw.
make sure you leave a little gap in the spacing for the aluminum to be when you are bending it.
Benn using the same set for 10 years, and they will bend much sharper than the pipe pliers ever will, and you can adjust your tightness to adjust the amount of bend you want..

can send some pic's if anyone is interested in making some.

[el paso mod 19]

Interesting, I may try making some when I get a little time. Thanks

[Dirtracer50]

JustAddDirt, thanks for mentioning what you built. I made a set tonight and love them. They will definitely get more aggressive. Again thanks for sharing.

[JustAddDirt]

Your welcome.
They work great.

[rc14]

Joey - can you send pics to rickcurtin14 @gmail.com. Thanks

[wideopen]

i have the store bought one, but i use regular needle nose plyers put them on squeeze then twist to right, step over a little and twist to left then repeat back and forth .. remember u only twist a tiny bit ....bend you up a small test piece & try it.......... i can text u photos at 606-260-9855 gary it will look like this when done VVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

[CanMod3d]

To take this thread a little further...any other tips for working with aluminum? This year I decided to tackle building my own body for my mod.

[cgs]

ya im interested in a few time saving and proffesional looking tips also!!!! please share!!!

[Dirtracer50]

That makes a lot of sense. I'm far from a sheetmetal worker but every season I find myself enjoying building body panels more and more. It's a lot of fun to learn new and better ways to do it.

[CsR41]

That's a pretty good idea SCD.

Another tip I could add for someone who is new to building bodies, use poster board or cardboard for templates if you have to make a panel from scratch. I did this with my interior and didn't end up scrapping one piece of aluminum.