Chuck, most people will try torch shrinking with a hand held propane or too large an O/A tip, causing larger areas of heat than is easily managed. If you have a jewelers torch, I would give that a go with a soft flame to prevent burning a hole through, and you should be able to do nice small circles. That small of a torch you should easily duplicate the same results as the heating tip provides. I would start by heating circles about 1/8" diameter or less, but more importantly, you want to consistancy in whatever size heat circle you do use. Even if you're thinking of new bedsides, trying this out on the old ones will only cost you a bit of gas and your time. Whether you use the bed sides or not, the experience may prove useful in repairing other damaged areas where panel replacement is more challenging than just bolting on new ones.
