don't need the punch and flare kits. Just the flare part. What's the difference between the screw type and the press style? I take it the press style is for sheet metal AND thicker metal? I do have a bench press and those sound interesting.
Please give your experiences with flare/dimple dies
I was thinking about getting the Mittler brand flares and just get a couple to start with. Maybe 2" and 1" to start.
While I can't say what the difference is between the screw/press type, I've found that this style works ok-there were times I had to take them to a Press to finish the job, but they worked well (use lots 'o lube!)-I am going to add bearings to the bolts, as they can become hard to screw on bigger holes-
I have a set of grenlee electricians punches for making holes in electrical panels, I tried to form some frenched panels to install 51 buick tail lights in the Nash roadster but it didn't work. I was trying to form the whole panel at once with out cutting the holes first. . It would have taken a 100 ton press. I might try again using the hand forming that Per shows in his Youtube... the buick tail lites are oval shaped . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pFk_CZJvnw
about 10 years ago I took a 2 day class from Ron Covell, It was very informative, I had always tried to gradually form the shape. Ron used a sand bag and hammer and beat lumps in the aluminum then rolled it smooth in the english wheel. The trick is to know how much to beat and form the rough shape. I had never seen oxl-acety aluminum welding . He rolled the weld smooth with the english wheel . The fender he made in class is now hanging on my shop wall. I later took a class at UVU. Mostly to have a nice warm place to work and use all their tools.. And Criss liked having us Grandpa's there to help keep an eye on what the kids were doing. Today there is so much info on the net the value of the class is not as much there also other ways of forming can be found. . Lazze does not beat lumps then try to smooth it out and lazze does not use pullmax type formers. custom dies for a pullmax type machine are a lot easier to make than custom bead roller dies. My projects are all on hold , We are in the middle of a big building project and last year was bad for the farm, Not enough cash to hire more work by sub contractors.
Good and Cheap really don't go together here. I have the Mittler dimple dies. i use them them their draw bolts on 20 or 22 ga steel and I use them in the press for anything over that. I ahve used them on 16ga with good results.
The key is getting good clean holes that are the right size. I use Roto-Broaches exclusively when I know the hole will get flared.
I also have a few tricks for doing that and keeping the braoch centered.
Here is a pic of a lower radiator support I built for the van. notice the wood guide block used to control the broach.
A few of the holes ready for flaring.
A dimple die in action and the end result.
There six of these holes in the lower panel.
All flared and edge bent.
Makr
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Hot Rod Forum
2.2M posts
175.7K members
Since 2001
A forum community dedicated to hot rod owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about restoration, builds, performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!