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Tim & Mike Rogers & Eugene Horvath
Dimple Dies
Step 3: Make sure the bottom die, plate, and top die are all clean of any metal chips, burrs or debris.
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Tim & Mike Rogers & Eugene Horvath
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Tim & Mike Rogers & Eugene Horvath
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Tim & Mike Rogers & Eugene Horvath
Dimple Dies
Step 3: Make sure the bottom die, plate, and top die are all clean of any metal chips, burrs or debris.
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Tim & Mike Rogers & Eugene Horvath
Step 4: Properly support the bottom die on your shop press.
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Tim & Mike Rogers & Eugene Horvath
Step 5: Load your drilled plate onto the bottom die.
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Tim & Mike Rogers & Eugene Horvath
Step 6: Place the top die onto the bottom die until it rests on the plate.
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Tim & Mike Rogers & Eugene Horvath
Step 7: Begin to press on the top die. As you continue to press down you will see the plate will deform. Do not be alarmed - the plate will return to flat once you have completed the process.
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Step 8: Once the top die, sheet, and bottom die are all compressed against one another you have completed the flare. Do not overload the dies.
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Tim & Mike Rogers & Eugene Horvath
Step 9: Release the press, and remove the top die.
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Step 10: Remove the plate, and enjoy the added strength and weight reduction of your newly flared plate!
Tim & Mike Rogers Photos by Tim & Mike Rogers & Eugene Horvath
Dimple die panels are one of the coolest additions you can make to your off-road rig. They look great, and can set your rig apart from the crowd. We are often asked “When should I use a dimple die?” and “How do I use a dimple die?” Follow along as we debunk some common myths, and show you how you can easily use these tools at home in your own shop.
Dimple dies offer much more than a great looking cosmetic upgrade. If you told a racer you could make their vehicle lighter, stronger and more rigid they’d think you found the holy grail of racing. All that is required is a simple dimple/flare added to their sheet metal fabrication. Dimple dies are used in everything from aerospace to desert racing, off-road racing, drag racing, hot rods, rat rods, choppers and many other forms of motor sports.
Dimple dies are designed to reduce weight in sheet metal fabrications, while adding strength and rigidity. By removing material from your sheet metal fabrication you’ve reduced it’s overall weight. The problem is the panel is now flimsy and can easily bend. By adding a dimple/flare to the sheet metal fabrication you further strengthen it and add a great deal of rigidity to the panel. As off-roaders we always want to overbuild and push the limits. We’re often asked “Can I dimple a 3/16” plate?” to which we respond “If I told you that you can dimple a 3/16” plate, you’d ask if you could do a ½” plate”. Typically the maximum sheet metal thickness you should dimple is 1/8”. Anything beyond this is overkill, as the sheet itself is quite rigid without the addition of a dimple/flared hole.
Now that you know “when to”, we can look at the “how to” behind dimple dies. We recommend the use of a 12 Ton or larger press for best results. The following 10 steps will detail how to properly use a dimple die. We are using our own TMR Customs Dimple Dies. They are CNC machined in-house from Canadian made steel, heat treated, coated for corrosion resistance, and backed with a lifetime warranty.
Warning, dimple dies are highly addictive and may cause your friends to spend more time in your shop if you own a set. The good news is, hopefully they supply the food and drinks.
For more information on TMR Customs Dimple Dies please visit our website, www.tmrcustoms.com.