I needed a custom-shaped dimple die to 'go' with my interior -- see the upholstery rivet style -- and ended up doing a number of shapes. The STL's are free -- just need to register a free account and make one post (e.g., 'thanks for the STL') on carpokes.com to download them (it's an antispam-bot thing). I'd post them here, but didn't see any way to upload STL files here?
3D-Printed Dimple Dies -- creative shapes, free STLs
- Thread starter tom86951
- Start date
whateg01
Well-known member
I've 3D printed a bunch of stuff like that that I thought would never hold up. Pleasantly surprised at the strength of them!
When they first started showing up on youtube, people were filling prints with resins and such to make them harder, but over time people started realizing that the plastic alone is strong enough to form sheet metal, assuming you use enough in-fill, and they last a weirdly long time. I wanted the rivet style to match my interior, and then ended up doing a few others for fun, since I couldn't find much variety at all in terms of commercial, metal dimple dies. The possibilities are endless with the 3D-printed versions. 
californiamilleghia
Well-known member
Cool idea ,
Are you pressing into aluminum or steel ?
And what thickness ?
Are you pressing into aluminum or steel ?
And what thickness ?
IndyGarage
Well-known member
I printed a bunch of them on my 3 d printer. I've only used them a couple times, but they work great. I'll have to try on of the alternative shapes.
The video shows 22 gauge steel. I've used them up to 18 gauge steel without problems, but haven't tried aluminum yet.
WoodsTruck
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2013
- Messages
- 1,025
How much infill are you finding to hold up?
I imagine the infill might depend on hole size and thickness of sheet being formed.
I printed one for a 1.25" hole and printed solid. Haven't used it yet...
I imagine the infill might depend on hole size and thickness of sheet being formed.
I printed one for a 1.25" hole and printed solid. Haven't used it yet...
PCMusicGuy
Well-known member
Nice job. I like the offer of the free STLs, but no way am I signing up for yet another forum just for access. Any reason you didn't host them at one of dozen or so free STL hosting sites?