17 replies to this topic

[rusty30]

Finally cut a lot of the rot off the 30 and about to teach myself to weld. I will be cutting some repair / patch panels that will need some shaping. What would be the best hammer(s) to buy for doing some fettling to get these patches in to shape? Ideally something I can just pick up in B&Q.

[Alex_B]

A set of panel beating hammers and dollies are the best for working panels and flanges, a shrinking hammer and or dolly is useful for helping to bring a stretched panel back. But you can get away with an average ball peen hammer for small flange work and whatnot but I would recommend a decent set of panel beating hammers if you are doing a full resto. 

[Daz1968]

I bought a set form machinemart

https://www.machinem...set-with-hicko/

Not tested them yet properly but good value especially as I used a vat free voucher and combined with a few other items

[rusty30]

I bought a set form machinemart

https://www.machinem...set-with-hicko/

Not tested them yet properly but good value especially as I used a vat free voucher and combined with a few other items

That does look good - but probably more than I need. Any areas I need the hammer for won't be seen as will be fitting new scuttle, wings, A panels & siĺls.

Edited by rusty30, 01 January 2016 - 10:13 PM.

[Ethel]

Pliers and clamps.

 

Bending is better than beating

[sonikk4]

I use the machinemart set plus various other bits and pieces.

[rusty30]

I suppose for 40 quid it will stand me in good stead. Will get the set ordered.
Cheers

[Daz1968]

There is a cheaper set with fibreglass handles.

[venkman]

There is a cheaper set with fibreglass handles.

I bought a set off the bay of e about£18-20 has the same bits as the Clarks picture,been fine. They have fibreglass handles.

[midridge2]

The sets that you buy at Machine Mart etc have rounded heads, if using with a dolly you need a flat face.

[Ethel]

The only specialist tool I use when making patches is an edge joggler.

 

Hardwood offcuts, angle iron, old brake discs, sockets all serve as formers, with my vice or G clamps applying the force. I tend to reach for any hammer if I want one, there's usually a bit of scrap timber directing the blow anyway. Pliers are great for forming flanges accurately by just easing the bend gradually along the fold line. If the flange is on a curved edge, bend intermittently, to leave shallow peaks that can be shrunk by hammering  the pointy "summit" against one of those improvised formers.

 

I do have a plumber's bossing mallet that's handy for stretching and a club hammer makes a great anvil/stake/ dolly as you can stand on the handle to keep it steady.

 

Remember steel work hardens, so get the maximum effect from your efforts. Constantly smacking it between two hard surfaces where it has nowhere to go hardens it more than it shapes it.

[sonikk4]

The sets that you buy at Machine Mart etc have rounded heads, if using with a dolly you need a flat face.

My set came with rounded head ( red hammer) flat round with pin head opposite (green hammer) and square flat head (black). This was a Machinemart set with Dollies bought seven years ago.

I also bought a shrinking hammer as well although not used as of yet.

[rusty30]

What about this - there is a screwfix nearby? http://m.screwfix.co...piece-set/8143g

[sonikk4]

What about this - there is a screwfix nearby? http://m.screwfix.co...piece-set/8143g

 

That will do the job to be honest.

[rusty30]

What about this - there is a screwfix nearby? http://m.screwfix.co...piece-set/8143g

 
That will do the job to be honest.

Cheers - will pick up a set on Monday.