Flared holes/dimple dies

[extremeoffroad]

What do you guys use for cutting the holes in your sheet metal for the dies?

[John-e Bravada]

A step bit up to 1 1/4" then hole saws. Hole saws SUCK!:mad3:

[guidolyons]

If you got the cabbage, check these annular cutters at trick tools:
http://www.vansantent.com/sheet_metal_cutters.htm

368975

Jancy Slugger sheet metal cutters easily outperform standard hole saws by cutting a more accurate hole up to three times faster with far superior tool life. These precision ground cutters can be used in a hand drill or drill press and will leave a smooth finish with minimal material deformation. Their 1/4" depth of cut keeps vibration and distortion to a minimum. Smaller sizes work great for cutting spot welds. Sizes available individually from 3/8" to 3" OD. Excellent companion to our dimple dies!

[born loser]

maybe try this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96718
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/96700-96799/96718.gif

[300sniper]

maybe try this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96718
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/96700-96799/96718.gif

that's what i have used (i used a greenlee model). i even used the hydraulic puller to operate the dimple die. i haven't done many of them but just tested the idea on a die i built.

[Murfman1967]

that's what i have used (i used a greenlee model). i even used the hydraulic puller to operate the dimple die. i haven't done many of them but just tested the idea on a die i built.

I've got a greenlee hydraulic puller myself, how does it work on the dimple die? I was wondering if it had enough power to dimple 10 ga. I've been thinking about making some dies to use the conduit knockout sizes myself.

[extremeoffroad]

Yea the Harbor Freight unit was what i was looking at when this question came up looked like a pretty good deal,the Van Sant stuff is great,like you said if you got the change for those.

[John-e Bravada]

I was seriously looking at the HF punch till I realized it has pipe/conduit dies. I bought one of the HF hand screw punch sets and it turned out to be a p/c die set as well. The dimples wouldn't stay centered in the sloppy holes and looked like shit.

[BigHG]

If you got the cabbage, check these annular cutters at trick tools:
http://www.vansantent.com/sheet_metal_cutters.htm

368975

I have a couple sets of these and they are the shit! I recently made a carrier bearing mount with lots of speed holes in 3/16 and lots of people were asking where I had it lasered or waterjetted. There is no wobble like regular hole saws. Use lots of lube and turn the slow. They stay sharp for a long time.

[300sniper]

I've got a greenlee hydraulic puller myself, how does it work on the dimple die? I was wondering if it had enough power to dimple 10 ga. I've been thinking about making some dies to use the conduit knockout sizes myself.

i did it a while ago and can't remember if i did 10 ga or not. i know i did 16 ga easy. it was only a 1" die though.

[fj40guy]

I bought HF punch dies when running some wiring. Doh... should have known better. Even at 50% off for $14/set.... just POS'.

I wouldn't waste your money on the hydraulic version....

[5.2Krawler]

The HF hydraulic driver might be alright, but you would need a set of chassis punches other wise it's pipe/conduit sizes. I use a set bit up to 1 inch and have a 1.5 chassis punch and I love that thing. I drill a 3/8 pilot hole snug it up then use the press to punch the hole instead of tightening it with a wrench. I will definatly be looking for more chassis punches they beat hole saws hands down.

[SirMrManGuy]

If you got the cabbage, check these annular cutters at trick tools:
http://www.vansantent.com/sheet_metal_cutters.htm

368975
RotaBroach makes those too, called the HolCutter. I've heard several aerospace machinists rave about their other products.

[PARANOID56]

i picked up one of those HF punch sets. thing works rather well. a few fit tmy dimples, but others are way off. either way, it works well and even has a nice holder :D
http://lh6.ggpht.com/paranoid56/SCZ5PW7S-mI/AAAAAAAAEzc/l_UvN24yRbo/s800/punch1.jpg

just drill a 1/2" hole (i think) and bolt it up then start to pump. makes a very clean hole
http://lh5.ggpht.com/paranoid56/SCZ5PG7S-lI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/qxgE77Eliqo/s800/punch.jpg

then dimpled
http://lh4.ggpht.com/paranoid56/SCZ5P27S-nI/AAAAAAAAEzo/DE8q8BXpTmI/s800/punch2.jpg