How YOU Can Turn An OLD Junky File Into A NEW Slapper Spoon For DENT REPAIR, and How To Use It!!
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- On this episode of Make It Kustom, I'm showing you how I repurpose one of my old junky files into a new flat profile slapper to be used for dent repair. When I can, I just love making my own quality tools for CHEAP and to show you that you don't need expensive tools to get the job done!
Be sure to check out the demonstration at the end!
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Oldschool thank you for great work from one youtuber to another, Im 60yrs old now and back in my shop LOL
Wicked man great to hear it! I love making tools
Amazing video and timely too. I was just looking to buy a slapper or something that could get into a tight spot where a hammer is difficult. You explain everything you are doing so well to help us understand the process you are following in both making the slapper and using it too. You have a gift to make things easy to understand. I encourage you to get into the local school or shop class to share your wisdom with interested youth. People are not encouraged to work with their hands any more and it is a rewarding feeling to do something productive. Keep the videos coming!
Definitely doing this. My father “The Blacksmith”, gone for decades, left me with an over abundance of quality files and such of perfect size for this. My project(s) start this afternoon. Thanks for the video and inspiration Karl.
Great video, Christina did a great job getting close enough to really show the example slapper work.
Thanks Trevor whether she thinks so or not I bet she’s learning stuff to now lol I’d love to get her on the hammers
Your one of the best content creators on UA-cam, hands down. I’ve never been confident enough to try body work, but with your context that is changing. Your doing great things here, please keep it up.
I am so glad I ran across your channel. I love your videos and your wife does an amazing job of filming.
Thanks a lot Ross! We make a great team I couldn’t do this without her
Karl videos like this one is where Your genius really shines through and leads people in a thought process that most wouldn't think of.
Thanks! You've got a nice teaching style, not obsessive (too fine so it gets to be not fun, nor too rough so your metal work looks is not quite well finished) Pat Morita got it spot on in the Karate Kid when he said "Now go find the balance! Find the balance!" Good words to live by. . . Now I know what to do with my pile of various files too rusted to leave a decent finish, but still make excellent wood carving knives/chisels. So, my new word of the day. . . Slappers! Again, thanks for your fine video work. You've got a good example of the joys of making your own tools.
I am absolutely making a set of these when I get back out to the shop. Over the years I’ve picked up so many files and auctions that I thought they were boat anchors until today.
I don’t know if I will ever make a slapper, but now I know how and also how they work. I like how you rebent it to correct it and then showed how it was used. Thanks 👍
You’re very welcome man! Thanks for watching I’m glad you’re enjoying it cheers!
Could make a cool pocket knife or something with the same technique I’d think.
Love your content. Been doing this as a hobby for years off and on. I have learned a lot. Thank you. Keep the faith.
As someone who is looking to learn this trade/art I would like to thank you for all these great videos.
I love that you don't just rush to the store to buy tools, remodel reuse & customize💚🇬🇧🌱
I was told long time ago that a file was super brittle and to not slam/throw it into the work bench as it might break the file. Hence my surprise seeing you making a slapper out of it. learn something new every day
My shop teacher way back in the day said the same thing, never giving a clue as to what to do with a used up file. He probably didn't know himself. Heating it takes some of the brittleness out of it, But you're not going to be hitting that hard either. I have made quite a few of these and they work very well. I also use old leaf springs for this as well.
Yes they are very brittle because they’re high carbon content and their harness but they are perfect for this use because we are not throwing them around but rather tapping them on something softer. If you were to hit a file onto a hammerhead it would snap in half but using it to slap sheet metal that has some give and is a softer alloy is perfect
Love how you like the older tools they are cast better and will live longer than new ones I have about 25 old hammers I had given to me bought at swap meets and inherited love them all
Hi brilliant video and information as always 👍 when it comes to the slapper
Over here in the UK especially Essex we have loads of slappers 😊
Cant knock a good slapper 😅😅😅😅😅
I have a tonne, probably 30 old Wiltshire files, all bastard files, that I got from a friend, and I already have another 30 to myself, so Ill have to give this one a try. The old Wiltshire stuff is great, glad to see its getting a new life as a slapper across the pond!
Right on they are such great tools quality made. Give it a shot man! Thanks for watching
Excellent tutorial ! I have made several slappers out of files & a leaf spring using your exact method and have used them on various projects through the years. Glad to see the tools & methods being passed on to future generations - thank you.
You’re welcome Bob! Thank you so much for watching and commenting with your experience. There’s something so satisfying about making a tool
Excellent teacher. Have learned a LOT from just a couple videos. Now, I have to go back and watch all the videos. :) Thank you for the time and effort to produce these videos.
I love the concept and the diversity of materials, that a person could use to make hammers and dollies.
Karl, Thankyou for all the inspiration I haven't gotten more than 3 hours sleep in the last week, from binging on your videos .LOL! I've watched the bead roller video 7 times and collected all the steel to build it. Bought a cheap bead roller for $40.00 just for the gears on Market place. Paid $50.00 to have the "C" cut out of my welding table (I have another one LOL!) Bought all the collers and bushings all in one day. Finally went to Sleep . I will turn the 1 inch bar down Monday. (I'll send you a pic when its done) WHEW!!!!!! Again I can't thank you enough, And by the way I turn 65 tomorrow!
That’s awesome!!! We are building the new version right now should be out in a couple weeks!
Love your videos. I still have the slappers I made as an apprentice back in the UK , 60 years ago. We called them Flippers, as a Slapper in UK slang has a whole different meaning !
I made my one forty years ago from a leaf spring... cost nothing but is the most valuable of all my tools. Great video, we need to teach the next generation.
Absolutely! The next generation has hope because of platforms like this where knowledge sharing is free! I love that you made yours so long ago and value it. The best tools are the ones you make
Great information thank you. My father did body work for 40 years. I inherited his tools and never knew I could refurbish them like that. New project thanks
Lucky guy! You got some real gems there I’m sure!
I tried making my first slapper a couple years ago before I had a proper torch. Used a little propane torch. Snapped the file right off. I've learned a lot since then, LOL
I guess the first thing you learned was that a small propane torch just doesn't put out the heat 😊
Yeah it’s kind of important to heat it up all the way to a glowing red for it to be soft enough to Bend
Hi Karl. I really enjoy your posts. You have a calm, relaxed style and explain things very clearly. I will probably never make a slapper from an old file, but being Australian I have a few of them and you kept me watching till the end.
Awesome Chris I’m so glad to hear it! Thank you very much for your feedback I appreciate you
g'day from oz (australia), thanks so much for making such informative videos in an easy to understand way, iit really helps a novice builder such as myself to improve my projects and i really enjoy learning and improving my skills. i was sorry to miss the workshops you did when you were here last time, hopefully you will come back and do some more. so thanks again mate!
I'm glad I found this video. My grandpa's slapper that he handed down to me broke recently. Now I'm making my own
Great video! I made all of my slappers and they still have the file grooves and it seem that they help to shrink the metal when used. But then like you said it leaves marks in the part you are working. I will now have to do what you showed and smooth at least one out and try it. I usually only pay $1 per file at auto parts swap meets.Jim
Nice video. I apprenticed and got certified on oxyacetylene welding years ago. A carburizing flame adds carbon to the metal , neutral is just as it says it doesn’t add anything to metal. A oxidizing flame burns the metal kind of like using a cutting torch. 2 cents worth. Love your videos. Working threw them all and leave commercials running to their end to help with your revenue
Bubba thanks so much man I appreciate you!
I like that sense of pride you get when you have tools you made yourself!👍
Absolutely!
Nicely done Karl ! You never cease to amaze me with your creativity and imagination. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks a lot Mike! Cheers
Had a great friend that did body work and made his own tools just like you . I’m a musician and had another friend who made me this one off custom bass guitar he also made most of his own tools , shapers cutters custom files of all sorts. You make you own it . I’m also a bicycle mechanic as well as a musician and love to make custom tools for the job at hand , so like you and my friends and me makes us all master’s of our own universe. Great clip, you make it you own it
That’s awesome man we are all cut from the same cloth. It’s rewarding to make and use the tools you need
Good to see a bit of Australian made stuff over there. Great show
On ya Mate
My lathe is from Australia to! Lotta quality tools made there
@@MakeItKustom Thought I recognized it , ha ha
@@MakeItKustom Why would an Australian lathe end up in America as you guys have awesome equipment made over there.
Wiltshire files were high quality and I’ve seen a comment on them being on par with a Nicholson. Not sure about that but they seem to make a great slapper😂😂. Great video and I learnt so much. Very enjoyable to watch. Cheers Stuart 🇦🇺
@@scroungasworkshop4663 they were on par with Nicholson, but now days old Nicholson and Wiltshire files are still far more superior than the new stuff, as the metallurgy is different now, especially with Nicholson being made in Taiwan.
It really is sad to see all of the amazing stuff which Australia used to make, all gone due to the fact of some stupid deal that the Australian Government made with the UN in order to try and get 2nd and 3rd world countries doing most of the manufacturing .. and then you end up with the same adage ..... You always get what you pay for ;)
I watched one of the Coppersmiths at one place I worked make a complete set of spoons, slappers and dolly's a few months before he retired. He was asking a few of us Technicians to book new files out of the stores and taking our old files from us. Some of the dolly's were made from blanks that the welders cut from slabs of heavy plate steel. That guy was busy, still doing his normal work, doing private jobs for a few of us and working on his new kit!
Right on it’s always nice when you can get a little extra work done at work lol
Nice demo and explanation of using a "slapper", I never understood how they were used. Also beautiful slapper that you made from a old file! Thanks for all your videos, you make great videos with very good explanations.
Another fine tool made by a very experienced craftsman. Karl I like how you make your own tools. keep up the great work.
What I tell my kids is you make or do yourself whatever you CAN do yourself and save your money for the things you CANT do yourself.
Thanks a lot Roger! It’s funny are used and wish I had more money but now I look at it the opposite. I’m thankful I can just go out and buy all the things I wanted. It forced me to learn how to make and do instead.
@@MakeItKustom repurposing things is always awesome.
Dad and I often make tools out of scrap metal and old tools we don't use anymore both beacuse we want to save money on a job we might do once or twice on that type of car or simply store's are closed.
I only found your channel about a month ago,must say I'm addicted to your work,love your style,varied content and your presentation,very motivational.keep them coming bud.😎😎👍👍
I have always been interested in metal work. I have paid for video to learn how to and didn't feel comfortable to do it with the very expensive video I got. That being said you have taught more in these video than any of those. Thank you sir
Wow Jason I’m really stoked to hear that! Sorry the video didn’t work out but I’m so glad that you’re learning some stuff on here!
Understanding the metal you know what tools would make better outcomes, a good eye, steady hands, makes work faster and better for body work around the world, turn junk into a work of art by a new kind of thinker, some wish and others make wishes happen. Thank you Fantastic work
Thank you so much William!
I only found your channel today and I'm very impressed by your back-to-basics attitude. I am also impressed that you called Wiltshire files high quality. My dad worked for Fred Wiltshire for about twenty years, rising from fitter and turner to assistant manager. You are right, they are high quality - not as high as they used to be, but still very good.
I’ve only ever used the old ones they seem very well-made. That’s neat that there is a connection there with your dad
Thanks again for showing your body shaping skills and 're purposing old tools'..
Great explantions. You really clarify the what's and why's of your techniques.
Thank you! I try my best to teach!
Strange experience....I could smell the iron dust when you were sanding.....nice job with tool and the video! FYI...As I have grown older, the terms "junky" and "old" get used less often.
Ha ha ha that is interesting I’m sure there’s some kind of scientist can explain that! Smells can be memories to
I probably won’t be making it custom but repairs I do have and for sure I will be sharing this channel for other like minded individuals to enjoy
Much appreciated Harold!
I’ve been binge watching your videos and really enjoy your content and your happy go lucky demeanor. Awesome work!
Thank you kindly for putting all this effort into making this happen.
Right on man I’m so glad you like the content thanks for watching! You’re most welcome
Experienced, well-spoken... smart... digging your stuff!
Iv been trying to wrap my mind around how the hammer and dolly trick works iv been watching all your videos and the super simple explanation you gave in this one finally made it click nice work
So glad to hear it man!
Thanks just came by your videos looking on how to get rid of oil canning panels . Very helpful.Thanks (I’m working with Aluminum)
Nice video, Brother; very useful information. You, my friend are GOD blessed to be an excellent teacher. Keep up your excellent teaching!
PS I am a medical physician by education but I am an old time Slovak machinist at heart! Thank you! May GOD bless and keep you and your entire family!
Karl, Thanks for the proper technique of using a slapper. And showing how easy they are to make. D a n g I should not have gotten rid of the old files I had laying around last year. Did not even think about making something out of them.
Don’t beat yourself up there’s plenty of garage sales to get these files at lol you’re most welcome and thanks for watching!
That slapper is a work of art all on its own!!
I always made mine from leaf springs, an old english coach builder showed me this he even had custom built ones that were hot peened to shape and radiusd on both planes. Love your channel and video's.
I'm a machine tool guy, but I like any kind of metal working.Just found your channel and I really like it,great content!
I loved that you showed us how to make a slapper... I was going to buy one ... ,but now you showed how to make it ... thanks so much .. great work!!!
You’re so welcome! Sometimes when you make the tools you already know how to use them
Nice. I'm an old guy now, but when I was young. I loved working g with the old guys. They always had home made tools. I worked Aircraft Sheetmetal. I love forming metal. Making form blocks. Shrinking, stretching etc. I copied a tool once that was made of thick phenolic.had a flat spot. And a large curve . Like a slapper. Not leaving a mark.
Sounds like a pretty handy tool! It’s nice when working with aluminum you can use softer things to not mark it up
My new favourite channel - keep it up dude.
I'm very glad that I found your videos, I'm about to buy a 1970 mustang mach 1 in Australia and you have helped me learn so much, so thank you
So happy to hear it! This is the stuff that really makes my day. It’s been tough learning these techniques of years especially in my younger days happy to share and happy to learn as I go
You do a superb job of explaining things step by step and the logic behind all you do. Kudos!
Saw this tool being used on a recent video … thanks for posting the link so I know what this tool is all about !! ☝️👍
I did not understand a ward U said tell the 18:04 mark then it all made cents to me. My dad used to tell me you have to learn to teach someone a subject 3 different ways because everybody learns different. GOOD JOB!!
I’m glad you stuck around till it made sense! So many people give up too easily. Thank you very much Bret cheers!
Nice vid, I used to work with a guy who did the best painless dent removals I've ever seen, he used his home made mirror polished slapper all the while, it was made by himself out of a car leaf spring.
Another of his home made arsenal was a drift made of a length of metal bar with a thread tapped on one end to screw in the various hardness and profile snooker cue tips he had made.
That’s awesome! The best tools are homemade and purpose built!
Brilliant tutorial I have some old files will be turning into slappers great video Carl
Top job, Mate. You're a real metal Man.
Leaving the filing part on there makes it a bumping file. Trev's Blog here on UA-cam is an excellent resource for learning how to use these kinds of tools.
Yes I like his channel too!
I didn't know what a slapper was. And I really liked how you demonstrated the proper use.
Just started watching you a few days ago. By no means am I a body guy but absolutely love your content! Not only did you go through how to make that slapper, what materials to you use and why, but you went as far as showing exactly how to use it and the results as well! This is a lost art that is being replaced with new body panels, speed and stupid amounts of filler. Keep up the awesome work! 🍁
Thanks a lot Benny ! Sorry I missed this comment. Cheers!
Man you're growing on the youtube fast! Well done! Honestly I don't even do metal/body work. I'm more of a nuts and bolts guy. But I love your vids. Keep up the good work.
Thanks a lot man we’re pretty blown away by the growth it just gives us so much more drive to keep this going!
Great looking tool mate, for a bit of safety and longevity of the tool it would be a great idea to re-heat treat the file and temper it so it won’t snap when you’re slapping with it or if it falls on the floor. Love the channel and all the best from Tasmania
Yeah, that's what I was wondering, isn't a file a bit brittle for hammering?
Thanks a lot for the tip man! I appreciate your feedback for sure take care cheers!
making one this weekend. I think.
excellent Video again Karl
Wray Schelin made one from the Spine of an old Office Chair and had a width of about 2" ( 50 mm) same basic fab method.
Bent the handle and same approach to sanding back 36, 80, 100, 200, 400, 600, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, and polish.
Great video man! I appreciate the willingness to share your skills. Definitely subbed 🍻
Definitely will make one if I come across any old files for cheap. I've found my martin dinging spoon to be one of my favourite tools since I got it, so I think it would be great to have one that's flatter and has a little more mass as well. Also, it was cool finding this youtube channel and then realizing you're only just across the bridge from me, lol.
You have a new sub.....i love your simple, informative and helpful content. I bent my first "file hammer/ slapper"40 years ago....still have it. Im now going to make a smooth spoon. 'Greetings from Durban South Africa.
Awesome man I’m glad you like the content welcome to the channel! Good tools never die
you are good enough to make it look simple thanks
Awesome video and impeccable recording and editing! 👏👏👏👏👍👍👍👍
Nice bit of tool making there and especially showing how to use it.
I’ve already taken some of your ideas and used them to belt my front guards back into shape. Great felling getting the metal back to where it should be
Keep them coming.
Also please show how to correct oil
canning of a panel.
Cheers from down under.
I like that you like showing us stuff......I'm making one of these.
Hey Karl, I really enjoy watching you make tools and take the time to explain how you build them in easy to understand ways. I am not a body man, but I am a guy that likes to build and fix things, I am going to try and build some of the tools you have made, mostly for something to do. I am inspired to try them out, even just for fun. Good to see so much talent, and in my home town 👍
Keep up the great videos, hope to run into you one day! Great work Christine !
steadily working my way through learning as I go, thanks to both of you for sharing
I might want to make one . Thanks for showing us how and why to use one
I used a Map gas blow lamp, takes a while longer but it will get to cherry red..
I'm learning so much from your channel, great work ethics too.
Out of sight..? still got to be right..!!
Best wishes from,
The UK East Coast.
Whoa, I swear a month ago I was one of 700 subscribers and now its 40K. Stoked for you Karl.
Thanks Jesse yeah man it’s been a crazy ride! Love this community
You could've saved time and bought the tools, but making the tools means you have a better tool. I began making tools getting into machine work, I rebuilt many old machines, lathes, milling machines, and have made many scrapers, for resurfacing the ways, out of old files. I never knew how to use a "slapper", thanks for showing this off. That file is something on the order of 1.4 percent carbon, which makes it extremely hard, and very easy to heat and return to hard. You'd be hard pressed to buy a tool of the same level of hard.
I'm not a body guy but I can see how handy having one of these slappers can be. I'm going to have to make one so I have it just in case I need to pull out a small dent. Thanks for making these how to videos. Please keep them coming. Later
Glad to hear it Marvin! You can never have enough tools thank you
Great stuff. You might want to draw a little bit of the hardness out. Sometimes files are a little brittle. Really enjoying your channel.
Thanks a lot Brad! Good point
Can't be with out a good slapper, built mine out of a piece of 13/4 leaf spring. Your an amazing teacher.
Right on Glenn they are so useful for so many things! Leaf springs make great material for them
Hey! Wanted to say thanks for the video. I’ll be trying my hand at better sent removal
You’re quite obviously great at metal work and hot rod building but you’ve also got a fantastic gift for educating people and a great camera presence. Keep it up! The hobby depends on people like you to make it to our children’s generation
You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!
This is the next tool I will make. First one was a T Dollie. So simple but use it all the time! Love the content!
Awesome Martin! If you have Instagram post it! Tag me
@@MakeItKustom I will! And I am going to Cdn Tire tonight to get a file to use. $9 cant go wrong there.
Hey Karl, so I got a cheap file from Cdn Tire. But my MAP gas torch def is not hot enough. Anything else you could suggest to heat it bend? Can afford Oxy/Acet for now. Thanks!
Such a nice video! Use marker and a flat sander to see the dents... Great idea!!! Many thanks.
And also the idea to make a slapper from the file.
Man brother...you are simply amazing with your turorials i love the end result of the slapper...many are complaining about not seeing much of the caddy build...but ill say diversity helps build your channel...big up from me👍👍👍
We are definitely going to get back on the Cadillac build soon but there are other things going on in the shop and UA-cam takes time so they will have to bear with me! Thank you for your support! Cheers
Between yourself @Make It Kustom and @Trev's Blog, old school sheet metal shaping education is in good hands :D Lets me know that when I do actually get stuck into the body of my project, that it's going to end up getting straight with the metal, and only needing the thinnest skim of filler to get it to perfect, if it's not just done with high fill primer
Thanks
Awesome man I watch trevs too!
Awesome man I watch trevs too!
Awesome man I watch trevs too!
Awesome man I watch trevs too!
Awesome man I watch trevs too!
Too show how metal can be manipulated, show your folks the ole Oxyacetylene rod trick. Take a long 1/8” rod, bow it and it will return with little to no distortion. Then bow it again then tap it on your metal table and it will hold the bow. It is a simple way to explain how steel can be easily manipulated but it takes a little “tapping” to make the steel stay where you want it. BTW, nice slapper…I do like them with the file face intact to push the metal in a particular direction if needed. I’ve never thought about having one that smooth but I’ve also never fully metal finished very many things. All my stuff have been production bodywork where a little filler and primer surfacer is acceptable.
I really admire your craftsmanship and enthusiasm in the trade. Young Guys like you is what we need in the (repair) car culture.
Thanks a lot for the tip! I’m sure the viewers would love to see that I appreciate your message here thanks for taking the time cheers!
Love it!!!
Another great video , looking for my old files now
Love your presentation. Cool tool.
Thanks for all your videos! Thank you for sharing your expertise and knowledge with us! You always do a great job explaining things! Thanks so very much!❤
First time watching your tools awesome am impresion about your hability congratulations
Love your videos man excellent work on how you explain it show it better than my father did.
I'm glad I'm not the only one out there that's cheap! And kudos to you, most chumps would fill that with Bondo!
Haha ya mama always said saving money is making money
Very cool! A cheap, easy to make tool that works very well.
I think your channel is going grow fast. You started out the gate with quality content, great job!
Thanks for your support! I’m glad that you like the channel we are working hard to keep it up!