That really is a personal preference and what application you're going to use them for. I've got 1", 1.5 and 2", very happy with that.

 

I have a 1" and a 1.5" seems to do everything I need them to. The actual effected area of a 1.5" die is around 2.5" of the sheet metal, I haven't found many aplicatiosn where I have room for something bigger.

 

I got the 5 piece set from Xtreme Crawlers, I new if I only bought 1 or 2 I would always need a different size.
http://www.xtremecrawlers.com/catalog/toolsbenders-c-1.html

 

They only do up to an 1/8" thick? Maybe this is normal, been wanting a set of these for awhile just haven't looked into the specifics. Think that 5 piece set would be all the typical guy would ever need!

 

Mine do 1/8th inch and I love mine. I find all kinds of shit ti dimple. Mine are 1/2, 1, 1.5 and 2inch. I find myself using the 1/2 inch more than I thought I would. Its great...

Here is something I found out. If you get the dimple tool from Jegs or Summit for Dzus fasteners they are the right size to use for your toggle switch holes so they countersink them into the dash or console. They are cheap too... Just a nice little trick...

JOSH

 

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Here is something I found out. If you get the dimple tool from Jegs or Summit for Dzus fasteners they are the right size to use for your toggle switch holes so they countersink them into the dash or console. They are cheap too... Just a nice little trick...

JOSH

Cool, have to remember that.:smokin:

 

i just got my dimple dies for xmas and i've already dimpled have the shit on my project xj...i love those damn things.....i think i have the same set as speedcravin...i got my from trick-tools...i find myself using the 1 and 2 inch constantly alternating them...

 

We bought the Light Racing dimple dies in 3/4", 1", 1-1/2", 2". We use the 3/4", the 1" and 1-1/2" dies most, the 2" has probably only been used a couple dozen times and that was mostly on plates used to stiffen up our cheap press.

As far as material thickness, they are reccomended for 1/8" but can be used with 3/16", we were warned though they'll wear out faster. We flare 3/16"s way more than 1/8", probably 80%/20%. We smooth the sharp edges out of the hole and use a little WD40 on them and so far are holding up great.

 

I have used up a set already so Im on my second set. I have learned that white lithium spray grease is awsome to lubing them up for extended wear. Its messy though...

I got mine from Trick-Tools...

JOSH

Like she says, lube is your friend...

 

I have learned that white lithium spray grease is awsome to lubing them up for extended wear. Its messy though...

Oh and don't ask me how I know, but when your hi lift jack is sticking and doesn't want to release to go down. If you lube the pins up with white lithium, hold onto the handle really good. I almost required dental reconstruction last night. :shaking: :laughing:

I swear by that stuff, use it on everything for my tube bender, all my door hinges are white etc etc.


Do most of you guys just build a small press with a bottle jack in it?

 

Instructions? Please define? :laughing:

Yah my buddy had been having a hell of a time with it, so I'm like "Oh, I'll spray some white lithium on the pins, that'll help!"

Him and his Dad show up and I jack the front of his truck up to show his Dad the 3 link, goto let it down not really paying attention because you always had to fight it and wham! Glad, very glad I was off to the side enough.

Yes, I would love to have a shop press. But its just not in my budget yet, thought about building one. But I've got a buddy who owns a marina down the road, and I can use theirs. Guess I'll just have to cross that road when I get there. Thanks for the tips!

 

Yes, I would love to have a shop press. But its just not in my budget yet, thought about building one.

Keep your eye out at the local pawn shops for a bottle jack. They can be had for 5 and 10 bucks at times and then hit the steel scrap yard and get you some small I-beam to weld together in a C form ad insert bottle jack and whala you not what a dimple die stand... I made one for a buddies shop a couple years ago and it cost about 25 bucks total and about an hours time...

Im betting your buddy that owns the marina has one laying around he would not mind letting you have either. Those seem to be a purpose bought item and them forgotten about. Or check with the local boat handyman. he might have one cheap too...

JOSH

 

Get in touch with Keith at Xtreme Crawlers. He sells the Light Racing style that are really some of the best one around and he sells them for a great price. I think a set of 5 is about $300.00 and he also sells them seperate. Not to mention he can probable give you some info on what alot of people say about them.

 

Thanks for all the info, the 5 pack from extreme seems like a stellar deal. Have any of you used an arbor press for dimpling? Not sure if this is even possible but would be a lot faster than a normal press.

 

I made a simple press for mine.

 

****in awsome this is just the greatest idea ever. Just the thing I needed I have a set of a few dies but I have to run down to my buddys shop when I want to use the press. Space is limited in the garage. I cant seem to convince the wife that we should put the washer and dryer in the family room

:beer: for a great idea

 

Thats a cool press, I may have to steal that design when I get my dimple dies!!

 

I wish I could only offerd some dimple die.

 

To add a little tech to this I found myself looking to dimple a sheet that would not fit in the press. What do you do? Look around for some thing that is big heavy and if possible Immobile. We ended up using a semi-truck from one of the neighbors or you can use a door way or some other piece of heavy equipment.


Geoff

 

i am going to build my own set with a hole inside to allow the use of a greenlee hydraulic knock out punch cylinder. i made a 1" dimple die out of mild steel already and it works fine. the greenlee knockout set can punch a 4" hole in sheet metal so i think it will have enough force to dimple sheet metal. using this pump/cylinder you can put the dimple anywhere on a sheet.

 

With the thin stuff, you use a large nut, bolt and a couple wrenches and do 'em by hand.

Of course that's only if your male dies have a hole through them.

 

I think the above is build well and since its used to dimple and most dies are only good for 1/8th I dont think it will be much of a problem flexing. The material looks to be 1/4 and is braced pretty good... Nice design...

On a side note: When using the angle iron break what is the thickness that can be bend easy? Im thinking it cant be much but I am wanting to do the same thing so the question has come to mind...

JOSH

 

I think you are mistaken. I would bet hard money that flexes a ton. BEsides, it's not just how much it flexes dimpling a 1/2" hole in 1/8", try doing a 2" hole in the same plate. I've built the same press and probably a little beefier than what's shown, it flexed a bunch.

 

I use them all and wish I had more sizes.

 

It does flex a bit more than I would like. I need to add another guset to the tall upright and I think that will help.

With the press brake I have only used it 3 or 4 times on small 1/4" plate brackets and it has been fine. Maybe bent the plate to a 45* but that is all I needed.

 

what are you guys generally doing to put the holes in the sheet metal? Hole Saw, Knockout, Plasma/laser?

Also that press is pretty cool. I may build something similiar and drop in one of those 20ton HF air over hydraulic cylinders since they are cheap. Either that or widen my exisiting press.

 

Hole Saw or hydraulic punch.

You could do plasma or laser if you have CNC by hand no way w/plasma.