How To Make Dimples In Sheet Metal

No expensive tooling or fancy tools were used.

How to make dimples in sheet metal.

Pic 1 shows the socket 1 4 bolt and washer i put the washer on the bolt and drive it into the socket pic 2 this will automatically center the bolt for welding. There are different angles of dimple dies. Tape the four corners down with painter s tape or masking tape. Diy dimple dies no fancy tools.

To make the tool i used and old 1 2drive x 5 8 socket as the receiver for the forming dies. Metal ready for hammer texturing should be clean oxide free annealed and bone dry. Center out the die in the hole. This short tutorial shows how you can create a dimple in a sheet metal part that has a threaded hole in the end.

Start off by drilling a hole or series of holes in the panel or bracket that you want to make using a drill bit that fits the pilot hole of the dimpling die. Punch and dimple die tooling is common in shops for making holes in sheet metal or to add strength enhancing dimples. After the hole is drilled insert the pilot bolt along with the male and female dies. From throttle stop garage a simple how to video for making dimples in sheet metal panels.

What this will do is create a dimple in sheet metal for a screw or bolt head in this case a 1 4 fastenor. Place the sheet on a clean flat smooth steel block. Most common in the current market for experimental aluminum homebuilt aircraft are the 100 and 120 dimple dies for the 30 or 1 8th hole size.