Actually, the very best sheet metal working equipment comes from Europe- of course, like any european tools, they are not cheap.
The best are probably the Kraftformer machines, from Eckold, in Germany. These machines are very expensive, and used by the very best in the industry- the guys who repair $2 million euro Ferraris. But nice to look at.
http://www.eckold.de/e_index2.html
Then, there is this place, Dino-
http://www.dinohome.de/html/home.html
These guys sell a complete line of all the tools you need- smallish shrinkers and stretchers for a few hundred euros, bigger planishing machines, hand hammers, the whole lineup. They sell parts and kits for english wheels, I dont know if they have planishing hammers or not.
I would be amazed if there was not a similar company in the UK.
Try asking these guys-
http://www.butlersheetmetal.com/tinbasherblog/
I am guessing they would know who sells what in Blighty.
Bulldog also might know-
http://www.bulldog-uk.com/generalsheetmetal.htm
or these guys-
xhttp://www.aetools.co.uk/prodtype.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=95&numRecordPosition=1
or these guys-
http://www.frost.co.uk/
Looks like Frost might be your full service UK supplier.
It sounds as if you are NOT talking about what we would call a shrinker/stretcher, but instead an air planishing hammer. Grizzly, for example, sells a cheap chinese version of this-http://grizzly.com/products/Professional-Planishing-Hammer/G0497
As far as TM goes, it is a very reputable place. Although I have not met him in person, I have corresponded with Kent White, the man who owns it, and he is a very nice guy who is extremely knowledgeable. If he sells em, they work.
But with shipping, it would seem like the UK or Europe would be a cheaper option.
Actually, the very best
Actually, the very best sheet metal working equipment comes from Europe- of course, like any european tools, they are not cheap.
The best are probably the Kraftformer machines, from Eckold, in Germany. These machines are very expensive, and used by the very best in the industry- the guys who repair $2 million euro Ferraris. But nice to look at.
http://www.eckold.de/e_index2.html
Then, there is this place, Dino-
http://www.dinohome.de/html/home.html
These guys sell a complete line of all the tools you need- smallish shrinkers and stretchers for a few hundred euros, bigger planishing machines, hand hammers, the whole lineup. They sell parts and kits for english wheels, I dont know if they have planishing hammers or not.
I would be amazed if there was not a similar company in the UK.
Try asking these guys-
http://www.butlersheetmetal.com/tinbasherblog/
I am guessing they would know who sells what in Blighty.
Bulldog also might know-
http://www.bulldog-uk.com/generalsheetmetal.htm
or these guys-
xhttp://www.aetools.co.uk/prodtype.asp?strParents=&CAT_ID=95&numRecordPosition=1
or these guys-
http://www.frost.co.uk/
Looks like Frost might be your full service UK supplier.
It sounds as if you are NOT talking about what we would call a shrinker/stretcher, but instead an air planishing hammer. Grizzly, for example, sells a cheap chinese version of this-http://grizzly.com/products/Professional-Planishing-Hammer/G0497
As far as TM goes, it is a very reputable place. Although I have not met him in person, I have corresponded with Kent White, the man who owns it, and he is a very nice guy who is extremely knowledgeable. If he sells em, they work.
But with shipping, it would seem like the UK or Europe would be a cheaper option.