As far as a shrinking disk goes I would highly recommend staying away from John Kelly's disk. I bought one because he is featured on the Metal Shapers web site and the edge is rippled as though it was formed with one of those shrinker/stretchers and then not finished. You only get about 10% contact if that. So it just doesn’t generate any heat. Also Eastwood used to sell one with a rippled edge that looked like it was made in a press. Same problem, not full contact and I've heard reports of the disc fatiguing at the folds and separating, and you don't want to be around when that happens.
The only disc that I have seen that gives you full contact is the one that Wray Schelin uses in his video looks to me well made and smooth giving you 100% contact.
If you have never done any metal bumping before than I would suggest you find an old scrap fender and spend a week or so pounding dents out of it before you attack your '52. You can make a real; mess out of a perfectly good piece of sheet metal in a few minutes if you haven't developed the feel for the hammer and dolly.
And, the links that were posted earlier are excellent ways to tutor a newbe. There are many other sites such as Utube where you can actually see how it's done. Also Martin Tool & Forge puts out a little red book that is a primer that all beginners should read.
You can buy beginners basic tool sets from TP or Eastwood that will get you started and then add to them as you gain more experience. One tool that you will find invaluable for smoothing a panel on dolly is a small spoon or slapper. Martin makes a nice little one, #1036 and their larger spoon, #1024 also works well for smoothing.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL
