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MG MGA - shrinking disc

Hi everyone,
I have a question about bodywork.
A colleague at my work is restoring a pre war Peugeot.He asked me if I know something about the use of shrinking discs.I have read and seen very good results on American websites but over here in Europ no one seems to use them.
So.Has someone of you any experience with the use of a shrinking disc to remove small dents in the body when restoring a car.
I want some reliable information from someone who has used a shrinking disc himself.
If they do what the advertisements say then life will be a lot easier to make an MGA body straight.
Thanks and regards,

Herman,
H. Jorens

Herman, I can't answer your question from personal experience, but I can share with you the experience of my friend who has used his disc. We bought our discs at the same time and he has used his and reports that it works great. Really easy to use as per the instructions and gives good results. The disc we bought comes with a DVD that shows how to use the disc in very clear and easy to understand video and audio. Plays on my computer so should work on those in Europe as well. Got our discs from John Kelley through this web site. http://allshops.org/
The current supplier is Wray Schelin at wesparts@charter.net
Bill Young

Herman,

As I didn't want to buy one in case I was disappointed I made one from 16 gauge mild steel. I know stainless is recommended but it's a lot easier to cut a circle from mild as opposed to stainless. I cut an 8" diameter flat disc to fit in my 9" angle grinder.

I didn't go to the trouble of turning up the edge and it's not really dangerous to operate because both hands are on the grinder.

I had several areas on the body which were slightly bumpy and I tried it out on these. You move the disc over the bumps pressing down quite heavily until the bumps turn blue hot and then spray water onto them or rub with a wet rag to cool them down quickly. You can repeat the process. It does work quite effectively but the effect reduces with each application as the bump becomes less pronounced. They are more effective if you have small pronounced bumps.

I don't know how much they are to buy ready made now but I would say they are definitely worth a punt at £30 or so..........mike

m.j. moore

Is this instead of using a torch?
Art Pearse

I have not heard of a shrinking disc but many years ago a very clever chap (who, as an employeee, made the first Chrysler Charger prototype body by hand!) helped me with my TC and used a worn sanding disc on his big grinder to heat the (small) area for shrinking. I have not heard of that technique since then (nearly 50 years ago!).
Barry Bahnisch

Yes Art, much easier to control the heat and area than with a torch, just uses friction of the metal to metal contact and because of the flatness of the disc that is limited only to the high spots where the shrinkage is needed. Nice thing is that it will work with multiple high spots in a small area at one time and only apply heat to the top of each high spot. It's hard to see what's going on from the still shots, but in the video it's easier to see how it works. http://allshops.org/cgi-bin/community/communityalbums.cgi?action=openalbum&albumid=9980121727059

Bill Young

Hi thanks for the reply.
It looks that there are more people who do not know the shrinking discs.
But as I read your experiences it seems to be worthwile to make or buy a shrinking disc.
Maybe I will give it a try like Mike did and make one myself to see the results.
I am restoring a 1600 from 1960 and I am past the stage of removing dents and bumps.At the moment I am trying to get the body straight with the sandingblock. Very dusty and very difficult,because I have no knowledge of bodywork.Learning on the job.But at the end the body will be (nearly) perfect.
Regards,
Herman
H. Jorens


I would think that a TIG torch with it's pinpoint heat might accomplish the same thing. But of course the shrinking disk is a lot less expensive and also would have the advantage of reducing multiple high spots in the same vicinity.
JM Morris

This thread was discussed between 19/04/2010 and 03/05/2010

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