Dimple die/punch tool

[acourtjester]

Hi
Here is a tool for you off the road guys. A dimple tool used to flare holes in your panels on your ride. Made from a hydraulic punch from HF adding the parts to make the dimples after the holes are punched.
made by Jim Stabe from San Diego.
Have fun
Tom

[DaveO]

Hey, Tom- Is punching holes a weight reduction technique? I can see where the inward flare reduces the sharp edges, but for a newbie, what's the rationale for that?

[acourtjester]

It so when you roll your ride over and you tumble around inside you don’t end up looking like you were attacked by a giant octopus (sucker marks)!!!

[ScratchStart]

I have a set of these I made from the piston on an old hyd. cylinder, but I never thought to pair it with the punch.

Can you punch and flare all at the same time? or 2 operations?

Hey, Tom- Is punching holes a weight reduction technique? I can see where the inward flare reduces the sharp edges, but for a newbie, what's the rationale for that?

I stiffens your large flat surfaces of sheet metal, much like rolling a bead. So you get the benefit of weight reduction and a stronger sheet metal part, all while moving the sharp edges away from you. Tom is right, looking like an octopus attacked is not a good thing...LOL

not to mention it looks cool!

[acourtjester]

its a two step operation I would take a deep female portion to have it work with one step.
I don't think the hydraulic ram has enough distance to do that. I saw a video with a guy using an electric powered pump and that made it fast to do either operation.

[ScratchStart]

did you radius your dies? or are they angled? Angled is certainly easier on the lathe (especially since I don't have a raduis cutter). but will it provide more strength if they are raduised?

its a two step operation I would take a deep female portion to have it work with one step.
I don't think the hydraulic ram has enough distance to do that. I saw a video with a guy using an electric powered pump and that made it fast to do either operation.

I was thinking about using something like this... I've already got one for the porta power, and I use it on my shop press (though sometimes I don't feel it puts out enough on the press)

this one is from northern tool, mine is a cheaper chineese nock-off... but I bet it'll work. Next time I can get a little lathe time I'll build a set of dimple dies that fit the old Hydraulic punch, and try it out.

[SeanMurphy265]

What is the thickest metal you can punch?

[jakeru]

That's pretty sweet... I have a project I could use this on right now.

[acourtjester]

The punch is rated at 11 ga mild steel, They have an optional 3" punch that can be bought separately.

[ogorir]

trick tools sells a commercial version: http://www.vansantent.com/sheet_meta...lare_tools.htm
spendy, but they're a 1-step cut/flare and they are very well made. grade 8 draw stud, thrust bearing, hardened cutters.

[scootarida1]

I was able to make some pretty decent dimples in i think 18ga steel by drilling holes and then using two sockets. One that is similar to the hole size but a bit bigger and one that will fit into the hole size and then using a hammer just hit the two sockets together and forms a decent dimple for no cost if u have sockets. I will post up a picture of what Im talking about this weekend.

[ogorir]

(been preoccupied with work, otherwise I'dve replied earlier)

the 2-socket trick works pretty well. i found if you want radiused corners, you use a socket larger than your cutout (the OD will be your hole diameter) on the inside and a larger socket to define the edge of the radius. it takes a fair bit of hammering, but you can get a pretty deep draw in 18ga. it also cleans up an out-of-round hole. the boss got a set of 1" drive sockets at HF on clearance because someone nicked the ratchet. I use them mostly for pressing out seals and stuff, but they're handy to have around for larger holes. I think the biggest OD is a bit over 2".