Tools & Tricks For Metal Working

Whether you’re repairing a body panel or tweaking a style line, metalwork can be intimidating. However, it’s not as difficult as it looks and doesn’t need to break the bank either. With a little time and patience, you can bang the ugly out of your metal.

The first thing that comes to mind with metal work is a hammer and dolly. It’s a tried and true method in collision repair shops and home garages alike. The dolly is used to support the backside of the metal the hammer moves it. There are several different types of each and all have a specific purpose.

The traditional pick-style hammer has a crown side which is used to knock down high spots and bring up low spots while the flat side is used to smooth it out.

The chisel hammer has a wide, flat pick edge which helps reach the deep corners of a panel or even bang out creases in a style line.

A shrinking hammer looks similar to a meat tenderizer and has grooves that push and pull the metal and shrink the metal over time.

Last up is the go-to bumping hammer. It’s great for general use.

When it comes to dollies, the most common shapes are the heel, the toe, the wedge, and the utility. To choose, simply match the one that best fits the shape of your panel.