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Sunchaser tools: Never use Bondo again?

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 3:34 am
by Stroker 40 horse
www.sunchasertools.com

I have read an article on their "friction system" in Drive! magazine, and it looks fantastic;it practically eliminates the need for body filler! 8)
Does anybody here use it? Theyr'e asking about $240 or so for it :shock: :shock:

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 6:52 am
by Kubel Nick
John Kelly, http://www.ghiaspecialties.com/ did some research and decided to make his own instead of using one of these. His are supposedly be better and safer to use, and alot cheaper. Email him (or he might pop up here) for details.

It still won't elminate bondo for most people here. This, I think, is kind of more like a similar effect as with an english wheel.

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 6:55 am
by JC-ATL
John Kelly has designed and built a similar shrinking disc, which I believe is somewhat less expensive, and will give you the added satisfaction of supporting another VW enthusiast.

http://allshops.org/cgi-bin/community/c ... 0093068868

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 7:46 am
by John Kelly
Thanks for the plug guys! Mine is only $50 instead of $240. It is also a lot safer, and from what I can tell, easier to learn. And yes, it does make it a lot simpler to do filler free work. I recently tried out the sunchaser tool on aluminum, and then used mine. I could not get the sunchaser one to work. Mine was easy. Here is an article that has a bit about its use:

http://www.type2.com/library/body/wlsh.htm

John www.ghiaspecialties.com [email protected]

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2003 2:07 pm
by ck85abc
Couldn't you achive the same thing with a oxy torch by heating the area then cooling?

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2003 2:50 am
by Stroker 40 horse
Yes you could. The disk method is easier.

Thanks for all the info 8) I never want to use filler on any of my bugs.

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2003 8:03 am
by John Kelly
The trouble with torch shrinking is that it in anything but an expert's hands it shrinks areas that do not need shrinking. The disc only shrinks high spots. If you do use a torch, try heating to blue hot, not red hot. The metal will stay softer, and more workable. If you do not want to spend the money on a disc, try a worn out sanding disc, or worn out scothbrite pad on your sander, then quench. They will work, just not as well.

John www.ghiaspecialties.com

Posted: Thu Aug 21, 2003 7:10 pm
by Kafer_Mike
Spend the $50 on a disc from John. The detailed instructions he provides with the disc will save you at least ten times that much in labor.

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2003 12:29 am
by Stroker 40 horse
Thanks, I may do that. However, since I am very cheap (note that I am building up a stroker 40 horse), I will probably make do with a worn out scotchbrite pad :wink:

Posted: Mon Aug 25, 2003 8:29 pm
by sparkmaster1
John is the metal man. I'll be looking into that shrink disk when I get back to my '67. Are you still going to do a metal working video? I'll buy it. Tim

Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2003 7:20 am
by John Kelly
Hi Tim,

Thanks, yes, I'm working on the video right now. Here is a link to an album I've started:

http://allshops.org/cgi-bin/community/c ... 0138836765

More to come soon.

John www.ghiaspecialties.com