Update 8/26/08: Dimple Dies and Clutch Brace
Hello all,
Today I started to make some dimple dies for my project. I've never built dimple dies before, so I was surprised they worked the first time out! I chose 40 degrees for my flange angle. I still don't know if that is the right angle to use. I also wanted to test the dies out, so I made a totally over kill, super duper, elcheapo deluxe pedal assembly brace.
I first took the broken pedal assembly and made a few welds in the most common places (this topic had been beaten up already):
Then I made a pattern for a sheet metal brace for the clutch bracket. I scored the back with a razor blade to make it bend nice:
Hummm, it fits! Imagine that:
Next I cut out and bend a piece of 18 gage cold rolled sheet, the same thickness as the pedal assembly:
Hummm, that one fit too! So far so good.
After I was satisfied with the brace, I made a couple dimple dies 1/2" and 5/8" in diameter. I plan on making a complete set of dies from 1/2" all the way to 3" in diameter. Here are the two I whipped out on the lathe (one set is assembled):
So lets get dimpled. First I need a hole:
Then a press of some kind. I just used the milling machine vise for these small dies:
And Voila! A dimple!
It appears the 40 degree flange angle is alright.
Lets make another dimple, and see if the brace still fits:
And last but not least, lets weld it on. One weld looks like crap, but it will hold:
The dies work.
Not the coolest looking brace, but it will work. I will be using the dimple dies throughout my project and on the strut tower brace I am "Trying" to create.
Take care all!
David