New shop tool

Just bought this. I have a lot of panels to make on my 57 Ranchero so this should do the trick. All the reinforcement panels on it are rusted out and will have to be fabricated. Plus when I get back to the convertible project, I will have to custom make some brackets. I'm sure I can think of other stuff to make as well. I'm going to pick it up and save the $125 shipping charge. It is less than a 20 mile detour on my road trip next week to go get my wagon.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sheet-Metal-Brake-Steel-Bender-auto-body-bender-NEW_W0QQitemZ7583622858QQcategoryZ633QQcmdZViewItem

 

Cool!

We've had one sitting out in the garage for years. My dad got it from a place he used to work for for real cheap back when he was building his Comet. We also have a big shear. Both of ours are from the late 30's, made by Pexto.

 

cool, pick one up for me since you'll be in the neighborhood

 

those are nice. ive always wanted one

 

You are going to love that new toy. We have a smaller one and it sure is a major time saver.

 

Some guys just like to rub it in they got all the cool tools :evilsmile

 

That's cool.
So when are you going to get the English Wheel and the Planishing Hammer?

 

I usually make one large tool purchase per year. I have to decide between those and a Tig welder for next year.

 

Problem with tools like these is they eat up shop space pretty fast

 

that bender is a cool tool, my grandad had an english wheel, I liked it alot til I got my finger pinched when I was 12, PAIN!!! My grandad caught me before I started to beat it to death with a sledge hammer. Good find on the bender.

 

so true, that the main reason I've debated back and forth with myself on buying some of them that I'd really like to have (and probably need)
also comes down to cost versus projected use. I have access to a brake, roller,and some other tools that I really could use on occasion, but since I can drive a mile and do it?... makes it harder to justify for me.

matt was telling me the other day, if I didnt think I had to park the new cars inside I could have anything I wanted in the shop.but, I dont like having things sit out so.....
I'll just have to add on another few stalls

(and in the mean time bitch cause I dont have the tool I need at the time, and have to figure out some other way of forming the metal myself):16suspect

 

I have looked at these "metal-benders" for a while...my question is, how difficult is it to use them?

Seems like more of an artform than a "tech-form" (sorry about all the "made-up-words-in-quotations" ).

Is it as hard as it looks? The whole "metal massaging" bit is foreign and exciting to me. I recently bought a hammer and palm dolly, the Haynes Body Repair & Painting Manual, and an old door and fender with mild dings, but am scared to death to put a hammer to them. Any suggestions as to how to overcome this fear and do some "straytnin'" to my car?

 

Practice on your wife's car.

 

the brakes are simple to use. as are most other metal bending, forming machines. (in my opinion)

as for your hammer and dolly fear,.....just do it, its not hard.
start with an easy small area , once you conquer that, and gain a little more confidence, move onto the next problem area.(once again, my opinion)

 

My wife's car is a Supercharged Bonneville, perfectly straight...I ain't gonna hit THAT with no hammer

If I do, she will hit ME with said hammer