[B-1]

Hi Guys, I'm wondering if anyone has used a shrinking disc. Is it a waste of money or will it cause problems? Any benefit at all? Any information will be appreciated.

[OneMoreTime]

It is the go to tool as it is a lot more controlable I would not be without mine..

Sam

[BOBCRMAN@aol.com]

Love mine..

[B-1]

That's the news I was hoping to hear. I need all the help I can get from tools. A lot of information I've found is from several years ago and only found one place selling them now. It looked "iffy" at best, but it looks like the tool is more entrenched in the industry than I realized. I'm an old mechanic with a shallow bodywork background.

Any recommendations or links to who sells them now?

Thanks a bunch.

Tim

[timothale]

There is a lot of info on Metalmeet.org and the allmetalshapers.org websites. I made one from a stainless steel 5 inch plumbing cleanout wall cover. you can buy them at Home Depot or lowes. I have found that I still need to do a lot of hammer and dolly work first, the disc is the last step after the other work has been done.

[B-1]

Thanks Timothale, I'll check those sites out more. That rolled edge in the pic on Wray's eBay store is a doozie. Looks like a "two pair of welding gloves" tool. Anybody know of a complete crimped edge disc, or is this all that's available.

I'll check out Home Depot or Lowes as you suggested, but I'll have to come up
with a way to make that recess in perfect center. Something to think about for sure.

[timothale]

the plumbing cover comes with a recessed hole in the center, I drilled a hole in a piece of wood and then hammered in the attaching bolt from my gtinder whittled as needed then put the disc on and hammered in the bolt to shape fit it. Someone will probably say not to do this, might weaken the center... use at your own risk. ... I read on a lot of the metal sites,, got the info for the plumbing clean out cover and dinging the center there.

[B-1]

Having a hole in the center crossed my mind, but never dealt with one
really. Being an avid DIY'er, I'm always glad to hear of alternatives. I would imagine the edge is already rolled? I'll definitely make a trip to Lowes. If not rolled, I may spring for Wray's gizmo. I like that margin of safety factor. I'd love to see a pic of your disc if you get a chance. I can always use some inspiration.

Tim

[B-1]

I just found this clean-out cover plate in a 6" size, but it doesn't look like the hole is recessed enough. I'll ponder this a while.

http://www.amazon.com/EZ-Flo-Clean-O...N%3DB000694588

[B-1]

Just a thought.. I wonder if using a high grade flat head screw - 5/16" thread size with a large washer and nut on the backside of that stainless steel plate, chucked up in a drill will do the job temporarily. Maybe will work if can get enough RPM's.

[JohnnyK81]

Definitely wouldn't spin enough I wouldn't think.

[B-1]

I've never used a shrinking disc, so you'd know better than me. I looked at my 4-1/2" angle grinder and it has a special nut which takes a special wrench. The nut measures 1-5/8" across and will never fit in the recess on the referenced plate without pressing the plate for more recess. Don't have a press available atm. Making an adapter for my Skil grinder to accept a drill chuck & incorporate what I mentioned above is the next best thing I can imagine right now, trying to use stuff lying around and keeping costs minimal. I can't envision what Timothale did, though I'd rather not use wood if something else would work better/safer. Maybe this will get someone thinking - who has a little more ingenuity.

[B-1]

Uh-oh. A drill chuck spinning in the neighborhood of 5,000 - 6,000 RPM is probably the worst idea so far without welding a permanent solution.

[B-1]

Also, the longer the spindle, probably centrifugal force will take over the more. That will require a different solution to better stabilize the effect. Maybe not be as bad with a smaller disc than with a larger one.

[B-1]

Well, I'm back to the drill idea. Still gonna get heat on the sheet metal at slower RPM's, just take longer (x3). Sure would like to hear if anyone has used a drill with a shrinking disc.. there has to be.

Here is an 8" SS plate/cover:

http://www.amazon.com/Pasco-Clean-Ou...d_sim_sbs_hi_3

Didn't know there were that many sizes for this item.

If anyone has pics of their fabricated disc, feel free to post; don't care if it's
a skillet!