Triangle punched cleats

[SLONG1958]

Hey guys I know there's a lot of knowledge on here and I need some help with making triangle punched cleat in some sheet metal back what I've tried didn't work to well. Is there a tool that will do this. Here's some pics of what in need.

 

[bimmer1980]

What is your budget? How many do you have to do? Can the sheet metal be put into a punch or is it fastened to something?

Probably the cleanest way to do this is one or two punch and die sets. It might be able to be done with one. However, the tooling would need to be able to be indexed and pressed in a press or similar.

Not sure of availability of a die set online.

The female die would probably need to be EDM cut and then hardened. The top die that would lance through the material would be machined and then hardened.

I know tooling for a Trumph or Primapower turret punch will run from $1000 to $4000, depending on size and type, etc.

You might be able to home brew something, but that depends on what you have at your disposal... Maybe get a round bottom die for an iron worker, then file the triangle shape into it. This will be tough if it is already hardened.... Then use a grinder on some drill rod or similar to make the triangle top die. Then carbon harden it in oil after heating it up.... Then you would need a way to hold it lined up in a press. just some random ideas....

 

[SLONG1958]

These pieces go into the roof of a car that a bow style headliner attaches to it. The cleats just help hold it till you get the trim lock installed. The one that's on the right side the die must have gotten off because most of the cleats are right on the edge and have broken off. There's about 10 missing.

 

[tinmanwpk]

Find a sheet metal shop with an ironworker. They will have to buy a punch and die set for around $100 for their particular machine and then they can do the work for you. Offer to buy the punch and die so you can keep it yourself for future use and that way they won't destroy it.

 

[larry_g]

Me I would grind a hand punch ti a diamond point and set the metal on a piece of wood and give it a smack. It will cut the metal and bend down the point. You may have to play with the wood hardness.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[K13]

Where are these in the car as in what part of the headliner are they holding onto? Is it along the sides above the windows? It may be easier to fab up something else to do the same job.

If its around the windows here is a thread on the HAMB that might be of some help.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/headliner-attach.937250/

 

[Guster]

As mentioned the appropriately ground steel chisel would do the job quickly. Otherwise you could easily weld and whittle the jaws of a pair of vicegrips or channellocks to make a custom die for these which will have more control and less chance to warp anything.

 

[SLONG1958]

I did grind down a punch but I didn't think of using a piece of wood. I tried using a small socket and it worked but not to well. I've got a good old piece of oak I'll try. Guys thanks for all the help.

 

[Milton Shaw]

You might look at a snap lock punch in siding tools. They are designed to create a tab to lock siding in a grove. It might do the job you are looking for

 

[Regnar]

Otherwise you could easily weld and whittle the jaws of a pair of vicegrips or channellocks to make a custom die for these which will have more control and less chance to warp anything.

Could also use bolt cutters.

 

[matt_i]

A homebrew tool I have in my head is a piece of A2 or O1 stock that you make sort of a chisel in the shape of a V (could also sacrifice a wood chisel/gouge with this geometry). With rough sharpness on the end. Air or oil harden the end with a torch, quench and temper to straw/gold color. Sharpen with wheels or stones.

I'd set it up on a hardwood block, endgrain up, and give it a good whack with a 2lb hammer, wiggle loose and repeat.

The problem I see with an ironworker punch, even triangular, is that the one edge, even dubbed over, is going to be a judgement call away from a full shear-thru on a hydraulic ironworker. Fuggadabooutit on a mechanical I-w.

 

[cgrutt]

If it's just holding liner up until trim locks it in why not use some double stick tape or hot glue?

 

[wssix99]

Can you use a church key?

 

[metalmanbryan]

This is a diarco die is close in shape but gives idea of how it is made