Fender Edge Straighting Tool

[Cape Codder]

Quite some time ago I saw someone with a tool that he said works well to straighten the BEAD around the fenders. He showed a picture but I was unable to decipher it because the lack of measurements. I do remember him referring to it as "the can opener".

Has anyone ever seen or heard of such a tool?

 

[Oldbluoval]

Yep…I have one. Works pretty well but not perfect.
Made on vise grips. Will make a pic tomorrow if no one else beats me to it.

 

[Jeff in BC]

Hi

Here's a link that may help you:
http://lionsgatemodelaclub.com/Tech_Sessions.html

Jeff

 

[CA Victoria]

There are several useful tools that can be re purposed. The two bars are made to push in and pull out the fender edge. Originally for my 30’ Roadster I have re shaped them for other fenders.
The aluminum block was hand fitted to re shape my 35 fender bead. With proper backing a chisel re ground to match the lip, edge crease, or roll & you can re form your sheetmetal.
I have experimented with hand crafted tools, albeit crude they get the job done.
Looking forward to seeing what others use.

 

[Thix]

I have a pair of fenders that need straightened on the edge, so I would be interested in seeing the tools to do the job as well.

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Yep…I have one. Works pretty well but not perfect.
Made on vise grips. Will make a pic tomorrow if no one else beats me to it.

Bill, I was going to post a picture of my two pairs but the more I thought about it, I am pretty sure mine came from you. Matter of fact, I am almost certain that you gave me mine when I was at your place some time before that house in front of your shop burned, -and that has been some years ago if I recall correctly.

 

[Oldbluoval]

Brent that could be but I didn’t make them.
I bought several from a disabled veteran that was making them years ago. I think at a flea market in Atlanta. Some parts houses had similar.
If you have a pic easily please post cause I won’t be back till
Monday

 

[Kevin in NJ]

It was a tool I made to straighten the beads out of desperation. As far as I know I am the inventor of it.

I used scrap metal I had laying around. I showed to a guy that makes all sorts of great tools and he made some out of water jet cut parts.

My design can be used in many odd ways on the bead to move it around. It work well on a very wavy bead. I was actually surprise at how well it worked.

You can use it to move the bead in or out and with a hammer you can move the bead up some. It does take some understanding of how metal moves to get the most out of it.

Dimensions were base on guesses. Loose enough to fit around the bead, tight enough to get up into the Z bend and make it more clear. The width of the pads lets it work on all parts of the bead.

 

[Thix]

I see some dimensions for the tool, I would like to know the rest of them so I could make one as well. Thanks for sharing the pictures of the tool you made.