I keep seeing these stamped holes in plating and cant figure out how they are doing it or where they are buying it from... Anyhelp?

 

They are dimple dies and they add strength and rigidity to plate. I have a story about it somewhere, give me a minute to find it...

 

Found it...

Without...



With...



The story...
http://www.4wheeloffroad.com/project...ild/index.html

Truth is, most just do it for looks.

 

I knew the answer to this one! I saw a xtreme 4x4 where they did this.

 

So you just drill a starter hole then use the dies??

Like these?
http://www.allphaseoffroad.com/products.html?m=9&k

Thanks for the article jason, I actually thought they were jsut for looks, but if they add strength it looks like i could go to a lighter gauge steel then use dimple dies to strengthen it.

 

I rarely watch tv, no time for it.

 

yes drill the whole then use a press like i have in the garage to dimple the panel..

 

Not only does it strengthen the plate but it also lightens it by taking out the some material.

 

i think my dad has some of those in the garage somewhere..

 

Dimple dies are sweet stuff.

The 2 sets that I know have been tried and tested are as follows if your really interested:

http://www.xrschassisinc.com/catalog...s-c-88_27.html

http://www.vansantent.com/sheet_meta...imple_dies.htm

Those are basically the 2 I really know of that people have liked. Expensive stuff for sure but they definitely add some "flare" to the ride. Haha...

Never heard much about the Light Racing ones you posted... but hell they are probably just as good.

 

thanks guys. need to buy a size or two, unfortunately i only have a 12 ton press, so might need to upgrade that beast.

 

i may need to invest in some for the bumper im imagining..

i've always liked the looks of it

 

you use a hole saw then you use the dimple dies...

 

i can get my hands on a 10 and 15 ton press but im sure i could make something work we got tons of rams laying around the shop

 

Dimple dies take ALOT of force to work. Logically the thicker the material the more force is needed.

 

by reading websites you are correct, i dont think my 12ton press can do much. oh well, at least i know what it is and what it takes to get it done!

 

You can also get hole punch/flare combos like this:
http://www.irvansmith.com/scart/hole...are-p-436.html
They can punch the hole and flare it at the same time or do each action seperately.

 

what sizes are you looking at getting?

 

2.5" or 3"

 

hell yeah.. bling bling holes

 

Makes fantastic Fog Light and Tow Hook holes in the front bumper

 

creepy. i was just looking at those a day ago to make the floor for our rail buggy but it wasnt worth the cost because of the press.

if you end up getting them ill have to make a trip out to you hah

 

Man I got a 20 ton pretty for free!!!! its like $500 press my friends friend got for free, never used it and wanted to get rid of it. My friend couldn't take it as he had no room for it (I don't have the room either but hey its a 20 ton press!) so I took it and its great. Thats how i broke my knuckle on my truck. Tried to press my ball joints out and it just bent the whole thing. Tried bending it back and just cracked it.

 

You can build a press out of some scrap metal and a bottle jack, its pretty easy. The hard part can be giving it a big enough throat depending on what piece you're trying to work on.

 

sad part would be the cost might be the same either taking a trip or buying the press. lol