Posted by Chuck(G) on October 24, 2002 at 15:28:27:
In Reply to: Re: Re: The Moron's Guide to the Dent Eraser posted by Dave Erickson on October 24, 2002 at 12:25:37:
Well, I go through my collection of barrels (between 0.25" and 2" in diameter) and select the one whose curvature most closely matches what I'm trying to work on. If you turn your own, be sure to relieve (round) the ends, so you don't end up marring things with the edges. Probably any mild steel should be just fine.
Another not-quite-so-obvious items is that it's important when using a barrell to use a magnet with a divided face; i.e. north and south poles separated by a small gap. This will allow you to control the orientation of the barrel, as it will naturally tend to straddle the poles.
I'm of the opinion that magnetic dent removal has a lot of promise, but is in need of development.