Dimple Dies

[dirtball]

I posted this in general tool also but it might fit better here.
Great deal on dimple die sets coming out of a machine shop in Texas.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=796323

They are having a Father's Day special until June 22 for their 7pc set for $100 shipped.

Here is a little back-story as to why this machine shop is making these:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9917367&postcount=60
To sum it up, this is a small family owned machine shop in a small town who lost pretty much all business because of the slow economy. They were looking for ideas of things to keep the shop running and they figured they could make these dimple dies for a better price then the ones currently on the market.

I picked up a set of the 1018 bolt-ons for a project I'm working on.

 

[silversix]

Wow, that is a great price for the 4140 set. I bought a JMR set a couple years back for over $400 I think it was. If I was in the market I would pick these up in a second!

 

[rwhite692]

That is a steal, for a set of dies like that. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Jerm]

I am going to have to look into getting a set from them.

 

[dirtball]

I got these a few weeks back and just forgot to post an update here.

These dimple dies are very nice. I ended up getting the 7 piece 4140 bolt-on set. There was a small mix-up in my order but they took care of it very quickly and sent out the right product right after I made my call. Here are a few pictures. I haven't used these to make anything significant yet but here are some pictures of the dies.

If you are thinking you need some of these this is a very good deal. Way cheaper than the competition and great customer service. Made in USA also. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[35mastr]

So how do you go about ordering them? Is there more sizes than you have shown?

 

[dirtball]

I called the phone number from the first link I posted (903-866-2006) and ordered what I wanted from the owner Leah. I got the 7 piece set which is 1/2"-2" in 1/4" increments. I know they make a 2.5" and a 3" also. If you wanted you could also order from their Ebay store.

Ebay store: http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Barbed-Wire-Off-Road__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Ad on pirate4x4: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=796323

 

[35mastr]

I could have sworn that I saw a post were they were 100.00 a set. I go to there store and they are 139.95 and shipping on top of that.

Were they 100.00 at one time or am I just loosing it?

Also did you get them in a flat rate box?

Did the box fall apart on the way?

Did you have to pay the extra 2.00 each to have them drilled? If that is the case I will chuck them up in the Lathe and drill them as I need them.

 

[dirtball]

I could have sworn that I saw a post were they were 100.00 a set. I go to there store and they are 139.95 and shipping on top of that.

Were they 100.00 at one time or am I just loosing it?
They had a father's day special that was $100 shipped for the 7 pc. 1018 set. You will get a better price if you call. Tell her you saw the add on Pirate4x4.com. I think she will give you a price break (like free shipping) if you pay by credit card also.

Also did you get them in a flat rate box?
Yes, they came in a flat rate box.

Did the box fall apart on the way?
They wrap them up pretty well with newspaper and tape the box up so it really can't rip. You could tell there was something heavy in there but the contents were fine.

Did you have to pay the extra 2.00 each to have them drilled? If that is the case I will chuck them up in the Lathe and drill them as I need them.
I bought the bolt-on set which actually has a little more material on the female side so you don't have to use a giant washer. They also came with grade 8 hardware and bearings that help with the amount of force needed to flare the material.

 

[Brad54]

Post this over on the HAMB. Those guys will love these.

Mention that you're on this site, and they won't flame you for posting a "Hey, buy these" post.

Put it in the general discussion area, because I think the part about the family-owned business selling the dies in the slow economy is the focus. If the mods want to move it to stuff for sale, let them take care of it.

-Brad

 

[Easy Money]

Orderd the heavy duty set today, End of the Mounth sale on E-bay. Jerry

 

[InDaShop]

Was at the Houston Hamb cruise a week ago and a couple guys were talking about these. I told them I had a set already and they had a ton of questions. And told me they heard on here.

I've had my set of 4140's for handful of months, they have held up awesome, but then again I'm not a production shop.

I got the up to 3"s and couldn't be happier. I called direct, and they knocked quite a bit off over the phone.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I have a set on order, also. I've always wanted them, just couldn't justify the price. For what she's selling them for, and the reason behind it though, I'm all for it.

Props to a lady running a machine shop that lost almost all its business and is doing her best to diversify and keep her workers busy.

 

[muibubbles]

reviving...

im looking for a dimple die set and ive came across a lot of sets varying prices. the ones without the hole seem to be WAY cheaper. Are the ones with the hole threaded or something? Because now im think on it, the hydraulic pump i have from the HF knock out punch uses a threaded nut, So I could just buy the ones designed for a press and drill holes in them?

can someone clarify?

 

[SM Racing]

What hole are you talking about? The hole is pretty critical to make sure the dies are lined up. I use mine with my hydraulic press instead of tightening the bolt down to make the dimple. Just buy the ones from Mittler Brothers or Trick tools. They are great for sheet metal. The ones listed above are for doing thick steel plate.

 

[metal1313]

ive used the ones above and they are nice, the ones i used were pre drilled so we were able to use a bolt to run them down. i think i used them on 3/16 steel and 1/4 aluminum plate but i canot remember

 

[muibubbles]

nooo, those from miter bros, jmr? are expensive. i dont need anything heavy duty.

im referring to the ones designed to be used with a press- they are typically cheaper, so, i was wondering if i can just buy those, drill a hole in the center (with a lathe) and just throw on a bolt after that and use it with my hydraulic pump

 

[knucklehead]

they are selling them for $360 on their ebay store now.

 

[spv]

I just saw this and thought *perfect*! Then visited the ebay store, and yep $360.. Would have been all over it at $100..

 

[srmofo]

I just saw this and thought *perfect*! Then visited the ebay store, and yep $360.. Would have been all over it at $100..

yeah I noticed this thread last night and did the same thing, I was hoping someone else would chime in with another cheap alternative

 

[Zengineer]

Same same, at $100 I was ready to place the order...

 

[spv]

I asked them the question about if they would provide another $100 offer and they said:

"Unfortunately we no longer make dimple dies out of 1018 bar stock which is a cheaper grade. We are only providing the 4140 dimple dies."

 

[383 240z]

http://www.offroadfabnet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4568
Turn a set yourselves!!! Keith

 

[inlinr6]

I have a set and use them more than i thought I would.even at the higher price they are still a deal over some sets costing 700.00.

 

[spv]

I have a set and use them more than i thought I would.even at the higher price they are still a deal over some sets costing 700.00.

"still a deal over some sets"?

Alternatives? IMO these are a "luxury item". Something one would not use all that often. Shelling out $300 for a luxury item is hard to justify (at least for me).

 

[spv]

Looks like Pirate4x4 have the solution. A set of 3 is $65 shipped and a set of 6 is $155 shipped.. see the following thread
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=871560

 

[muibubbles]

"still a deal over some sets"?

Alternatives? IMO these are a "luxury item". Something one would not use all that often. Shelling out $300 for a luxury item is hard to justify (at least for me).

im with ya on that. im not building no airplane. i want the "its nice to have a set" version that i wont be using for mass production!

Looks like Pirate4x4 have the solution. A set of 3 is $65 shipped and a set of 6 is $155 shipped.. see the following thread
http://pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=871560

thats the other kit! i lost that link anyone have those?

ill probably try making them myself first and if i faill ill pick up a set..

 

[Brad54]

"still a deal over some sets"?

Alternatives? IMO these are a "luxury item". Something one would not use all that often. Shelling out $300 for a luxury item is hard to justify (at least for me).

I can see these being one of those tools that you lived just fine without having, but then once you got some you couldn't live without them.

I can think of several different opportunities for me to use them.

-Brad

 

[SM Racing]

I try to use mine on as many projects as possible. Love them on race cars because it cuts the weight and the adds stiffness. Plus adds a look of professionalism when done right.

 

[monkers]

Wow, those are great! wonder how long a set made of cold rolled would last an occasional user?

 

[383 240z]

I made a set a few years ago I have been using them in just about everything I could. Mine are showing no signs of real wear. Made them from CRS. Keith

 

[Jim Stabe]

I wonder if the guy on Pirate would make a set for piupe sizes so you could use the HF punch set to do the holes?

 

[muibubbles]

I wonder if the guy on Pirate would make a set for piupe sizes so you could use the HF punch set to do the holes?

im pretty sure he would or anyone else would be willing to lend a hand, all you have to do is throw them in a lathe and drill a through hole in the center. although that would only work for the larger sizes. the HF KO punch thread is 3/4" vs greenlee's 1/2". so it really wouldnt be possible for the smaller dies.

i got a metal lathe and have no idea how to use it. but once i figure it out im going to try to make an adapter rod so the HF KO punch will accept 1/2" instead of the huge 3/4"

i just got mine last week but havent put them to use yet. i will post updates when i do.

 

[superleggera]

I recently bought a set of the above (small/medium). Shipped without problem. To be honest, I couldn't order/ship the material and crank them out on the lathe for the price asked.

I did bore the hole through to use without the press -- someone said $2/hole above -- I didn't know it was an option! I'd have had that done as well.

They work great via hydraulic press (4130 chromoly) or via manual/bolt (6061 aluminum).

 

[muibubbles]

So i finally put mine to use.. copied from my build thread on another forum..

Messed around at a prototype of the passenger side foot rest (rx7). i totally botched the mapping of the circles. but i didnt want to spend hours figuring out exactly where to place them. also one of the angles is off and i forgot to notch the floor plate to compensate for the A/C under the dash. This was an exercise for me to see if i could actually do it. took a few hours to figure out but now that i got the basic run through of it, it shouldnt take too long after i figure out the spacing i want to use for the holes.

This is much like the other replica versions except im using dimple dies to add rigidity as well for that "race car"-ish look. The holes arent the same size as the OEM version nor the replicas. i have another smaller size i want to try out as well.

The replica version is made out of 10gauge aluminum (i believe, i forgot) and the one i made is 18g mild steel. the sole reason being because it was the only sheet metal i had at hand. I'm going to play around with the "hole mapping" in CAD and try to get a hold of some aluminum, probably 12-14g since the dimples add strength, i dont think it will need to be as thick.


pics the first pic is the replica version (idk which one its my friends) and second is my test piece

side by side pics

close up of the dimples

 

[NASTYZEN]

Dimple tools are great, they bring an ordinary piece of metal to the next level.

 

[NASTYZEN]

You can custom make your own dies with the proper equipment.

You can even dimple odd shaped holes.

 

[muibubbles]

nastyzen- i still want to make my own dies eventually but how do you get the filet edges? im ordering some lubricants for my lathe today so hopefully by next weekend ill have it up an running... but i have to admit. ive never used one before and just been watching videos to learn...

 

[NASTYZEN]

nastyzen- i still want to make my own dies eventually but how do you get the filet edges?

There's many ways to do it on a lathe. What I did, was to grind a rad on a piece of square toolsteel.
You could also use a round file and finish it with sand paper.
As far as the mdf die. I used a radiused end mill for the job.

 

[ChandlerW]

Anyone interested in a 7 piece set for $120 shipped?
1/2", 3/4", 1", 1.25", 1.5", 1.75", and 2".
These will be 1018 steel or whatever I have laying around the shop.
Payment can be PayPal, Money Order or Personal Check.

If you want anything special let me know.