Metal-Shaping With Hammer & Dolly

In today's world, replacement is often chosen over a repair, such as when it comes to dented metal and body panels on a vehicle. Even if it's a minor dent on a new model car, many repair shops will opt to simply replace the entire section where the dent is as its often easier and faster to bolt on a new piece than it is to rework dented metal. But here at Customs & Hot Rods of Andice, we don't take the easy way out. Not when metal-shaping offers a better repair and restoration option.

Metal-Shaping with Hammer & Dolly

Most vintage and classic cars are comprised of quality steel, steel that boasts two key attributes: strength and flexibility. Steel can be shrunk, it can be stretched, it can be smashed, and it will still hold up to the rigors required of it. When a body panel like a fender is first made, it starts as a flat sheet of steel that is then placed onto a die and stamped into its desired shape by a powerful hydraulic press. When that same fender is dented in something like a parking lot accident, then the goal of metal-shaping is to return the metal to that original shape via mini-presses.

For metal-shaping, the two most basic and useful hand tools are the hammer and the dolly. Hammers for metal-shaping come in various weights and head shapes to match the different needs a mechanic might have for reshaping a given surface.

Dollies, sometimes called forming dollies, are heavy, simply shaped chunks of steel that can either be easily held by the mechanic or are fastened to the end of a rod. These simple yet incredibly useful lumps support the steel being worked upon and, like hammers, come in a variety of shapes and weights. The most commonly used shapes are a heel, wedge, toe, utility or anvil, and egg.

Experience Makes the Difference

Arguably the most important aspect of metal-shaping is selecting the right hammer and dolly for the job at hand. This means great metal-shapers will have a variety of both on hand and it's this requirement that also makes many shops forgo this type of repair process. With the correct hammer and dolly combination, the mechanic then finds the targeted dent and places the dolly on the back side of the damaged segment. Then, with care, they will tap the metal from the opposite side and use the steel dolly as a template and backing plate to get the steel to reform as close as possible to its original shape. The more precise the mechanic is, the less body filler and sanding they'll need to do before painting over the work area and sending the repaired vehicle back to its owner.

See Our Metal Shop at CHRA

Here at CHRA, we take every step of the classic car restoration process seriously, including metal-shaping. Come visit our shop to see the metal work we've done and what we can do for you!