In regard to dimple dies...

[jsudar]

I have the itch to buy some dimple dies, but they are $$$$. I was thinking about maybe just buying a 1" and 2" die instead of the whole set which includes 3/4" to 2.5" (the Light Racing 5 piece set).

Does anyone out there that has dimple dies use one size more than the others?

What size do you think would be most useful?

Or should I just pony up and buy the whole set?


I know Rockmonkey has a set and the guys at BHR like to use them everywhere.
Let's hear it.

 

[lewis]

Um not so $$$ as you think. Summit machine is making me some next week. And they are very well priced compared to whats out there. I am getting 1/2", 1", and 1-1/2" made. I was going to go bigger but the 1" holes I had BHR do for me are alot bigger than 1" when dimpled. I suggest if you want some to call summit machine and talk to Nate so you can get some made at the same time.

 

[Badbuggy]

I am buying them one set at a time. I started with 1.75 inch.

 

[I Lean]

I have the same Light Racing 5-piece set. After pricing individual ones out, and talking to Mike@summit about making some, I just bought the pre-packaged kit. It's pretty tough to beat the price if you want those sizes.

I haven't used them a ton yet, but so far the smaller 3 are what I've used. (3/4", 1", 1.5")

 

[cruiseroutfit]

What sizes of presses are you guys using these on and what thicknesses have you done? I've got a HF 20T press, good enough?

 

[I Lean]

What sizes of presses are you guys using these on and what thicknesses have you done? I've got a HF 20T press, good enough?

That'll do. The dies are typically rated to do up to 1/8", and I've done a 2" in 1/8" steel just as a test, no problem. (same 20T HF press)

 

[Badbuggy]

35 ton iron worker, 16 gauge, no pre-drill, or existing hole. Punch and die in one operation.

 

[lewis]

35 ton iron worker, 16 gauge, no pre-drill, or existing hole. Punch and die in one operation.

I've never seen a die that punches and dimples it. Where'd you get yours from?

 

[spaggyroe]

I bought a 5 pc set from Sexton Offroad in Kamas. They have great prices. So far, I've used the 3/4, the 1" and the 1.5". Also using the H.F. 20 ton press.

So far I've dimpled 1/8" / 11 gauge.

My dies require that you drill the hole first, which is a piece of cake with a bimetal hole saw. I use a uni-bit for the 3/4" holes

 

[Badbuggy]

I've never seen a die that punches and dimples it. Where'd you get yours from?

Here;
http://vansantent.com/sheet_metal_machines/flare_tools.htm

 

[spaggyroe]

Here;
http://vansantent.com/sheet_metal_machines/flare_tools.htm

Those are sweet! The website states that they are only rated for 16 gauge though. Have you used them on thicker material, and if so how were the results?

 

[I Lean]

Those are sweet! The website states that they are only rated for 16 gauge though. Have you used them on thicker material, and if so how were the results?

They're cheap, too!

This is a telling note though:

Punch and Flare tools (punch and flare in one step)
Dimple Dies For heavier metal up to .125"

I've used holesaws for some holes, and 1" or smaller I'll use a unibit, cuz it's fast and easy.

 

[Badbuggy]

Those are sweet! The website states that they are only rated for 16 gauge though. Have you used them on thicker material, and if so how were the results?

16 gauge is where I stopped. I am smarter than I look.

 

[Kiel]

I got the set from sexton offroad also. Awesome delivery time and customer service.

 

[RockMonkey]

I have the light racing set too. I've used them all, but the smaller sizes get used much more often. There are not a lot of places that you can use a 2" hole. The 3/4" die has been used probably twice as much as all the other sizes combined.

As Carl mentioned, try a unibit to make your hole! They're great because after you drill your hole to the size you need, you just flip the metal over and let the unibit clean up the bottom edge for you. It ends up with a nice chamfered edge. I'm using the 20 ton HF press too, and it works great. I've dimpled 1/8" (and a little thicker) with no problems.

Sexton Offroad has the best price I've seen on the whole set.

 

[lewis]

where do you guys get your unibits?

 

[I Lean]

Ready to laugh? Harbor Freight. :greg: There's a cheap 3-piece set that's pretty good, but only goes just over 3/4". There's another, slightly more expensive 2-piece set that goes over 1" somewhere. (the "more expensive" is still under $20)

 

[NOTATOY]

I just ordered some from Sexton and it was $315 shipped to me in Roy
Thats the best deal I found on a 5 hole kit

 

[jsudar]

Thanks for all the responses. That gives me a good idea of which direction to head. The uni-bit sounds like a good idea too. Unfortunately, I only have a Fisher Price MY-First-Press. It's only rated at 10 tons, so I hope it'll work out.

 

[XJEEPER]

Sheet metal hole cutters are sweet too!
http://vansantent.com/sheet_metal_cutters.htm