TheSamba.com :: View topic - What's the best way to crimp these panels?

Fri Jul 22, 2011 4:39 pm

I posted this in the Paint/Body forum, but haven't gotten a response. I've looked through many build threads but didn't get a specific answer.

What is the best tool(s)/way to crimp this panels on to my single cab? I've seen the door skin tools, but how well do they work on round edges? I don't want the corners to look like poopoo! :)

Flat edges are easy and I've got the hammer and dolly techniques down for those. I've never attempted these kind of crimps. Thanks

Fri Jul 22, 2011 10:42 pm

I dont know if a door skinning tool can handle that corner, I would probably end up cutting triangles out of it and hammer and dollying it.

I dont think there are any basic home tools that can fold and shrink that edge :?

Try making a card copy of the panel corner to work out how big to make the cuts if you go that route

Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:03 pm

Roachdub, do you have any more pics of your bed replacement?
I have the same job looming.
Thanks!
Saul

Fri Jul 22, 2011 11:38 pm

I saw a thread around here a while back that described this exact procedure....it's around here somewhere, but I haven't found it yet.

Sat Jul 23, 2011 12:01 am

Flat vise grip to get it started, then a block of wood + hammer. It's a real PITA but tis' not so hard once you get it started and have a few or 10 hours to spend....

Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:51 am

I have never done this specific job, but for folding and crimping flat steel, I use these:

Knipex 8603-12 12-inch Plier Wrench

They have smooth jaws, and are basically my favorite tool in the toolbox.

Sat Jul 23, 2011 10:06 am

j.pickens wrote: I have never done this specific job, but for folding and crimping flat steel, I use these:

Knipex 8603-12 12-inch Plier Wrench

They have smooth jaws, and are basically my favorite tool in the toolbox.

I have the same ones but with the toothed jaw and they are the nicest pliers I have ever used. I would imagine they would do that job well without marring the metal

Sat Jul 23, 2011 10:29 am

j.pickens wrote: I have never done this specific job, but for folding and crimping flat steel, I use these:

Knipex 8603-12 12-inch Plier Wrench

They have smooth jaws, and are basically my favorite tool in the toolbox.

Also my most favorite tool in my tool box. Also works great to crush the vent wing pivot rivet

Sat Jul 23, 2011 10:37 am

roachdub58 wrote: I posted this in the Paint/Body forum, but haven't gotten a response. I've looked through many build threads but didn't get a specific answer.

What is the best tool(s)/way to crimp this panels on to my single cab? I've seen the door skin tools, but how well do they work on round edges? I don't want the corners to look like poopoo! :)

Flat edges are easy and I've got the hammer and dolly techniques down for those. I've never attempted these kind of crimps. Thanks

I spot weld (could be plug welded or screw down also) the bed sections down along the edges then use my heal dolly and slowly start working the lip. When folded I just continue with the dolly and finish with a couple pieces of 6 inch long 1/3" square tool steel useing the knipex smooth jaw channel locks to get a tight crimp. When I get to the corners I get the mapp gas torch out and slowly heat and hammer the corner lip over.

Everyone has their own method, this just works for me

Sat Jul 23, 2011 1:07 pm

Saul Koll wrote: Roachdub, do you have any more pics of your bed replacement?
I have the same job looming.
Thanks!
Saul

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=420762

Well, no not yet. Check out my build's link. The bed skins were missing when I got this truck.

Sat Jul 23, 2011 3:22 pm

Start folding it over at the corners. If you don't start there you will end up with extra material that has no where to shrink to. The corners actually have too much material when folded over. There is plenty of room on the long flat sides to shrink the metal. Obviously you will want to sneak up on the fold. In other words, don't pound it all down at once. Just in small increments. Sheetmetal pliers work great after the edge of the panel is locked,(i.e. folder past 90 degrees). The pliers make short work of it and then everything is seated with a hammer and dolly. There some great tutorials on YouTube. Search door skins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlKnUptnflU&feature=related
This is a start. Lots to look at.

Sat Dec 03, 2011 12:42 am

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-panel-flanger-extra-wide.html spot weld the bed at first and then use that plier around the rest!!

Sat Dec 03, 2011 10:37 am

Sat Dec 03, 2011 10:40 am

Eastwood has them

Sun Jan 03, 2021 6:32 pm

Any updates on crimping especially the separation panel on truck? Now that the newer Gerson panels are in circulation how has everyone been successful getting the top crimped over on the rear wall?

Mon Jan 04, 2021 1:32 pm

gatorwyatt wrote: Any updates on crimping especially the separation panel on truck? Now that the newer Gerson panels are in circulation how has everyone been successful getting the top crimped over on the rear wall?
Never done this job, but these guys seem to have alot of hand sheet metal seaming tools:

https://www.stortz.com/product-category/roofing-to...and-tongs/

Mon Jan 04, 2021 2:30 pm

gatorwyatt wrote: Any updates on crimping especially the separation panel on truck? Now that the newer Gerson panels are in circulation how has everyone been successful getting the top crimped over on the rear wall?

Kurt has a very good video and photos on how he did it in his "Funky Truck" thread below, starting with his 3rd post from the top on this page:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7630957&highlight=separation+panel#7630957

Mon Jan 04, 2021 2:59 pm

For a fairly small price (~$120), the Astro pneumatic door skin tool seems like it would do the trick. Eastwood has a good video of it in use.

https://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/Pneumatic-Door-Skinning-Tool-P125893.aspx

Wed Jan 06, 2021 12:17 pm

Thanks for the tips... much appreciated

Wed Jan 06, 2021 1:17 pm

peecee69 wrote: For a fairly small price (~$120), the Astro pneumatic door skin tool seems like it would do the trick. Eastwood has a good video of it in use.

https://www.nationaltoolwarehouse.com/Pneumatic-Door-Skinning-Tool-P125893.aspx

$111 dollars? That's a smoking deal of a price!