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DRDT-2 dimpler

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Lew Gallagher

Joined: 04 Jan 2008
Posts: 402
Location: Greenville , SC

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:23 pm Post subject: DRDT-2 dimpler

I just finished this today, plans and head unit from sales(at)experimentalaero.com -- took about 5 hrs. to fabricate, align, weld, paint.  The steel came from a local scrap yard and is 1/4 instead of 3/16, so it's about 70 lbs. -- and since it is heftier, I made the throat a little deeper.



I'm helping a friend build his RV-10 (wish we had had it for his!), and just got my tail section kit for my own.



I added the laser X&Y axis guides ($5 ea. at Harbor Freight) to pinpoint where the die is to help line up the hole.  It's VERY sweet!  Just thought I'd pass on the laser thought.  



Later, - Lew

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_________________
non-pilot
crazy about building
NOW OFICIALLY BUILDER #40549
Fly off completed !

gerf(at)gerf.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject: DRDT-2 dimpler

Thank you !!  Thank you !!



What a brilliant idea.  When I built my 9 I ended up with little track lines

on the skin where I was hunting for the hole and the lower die was

contacting the skin.



Problem solved.



g

 	  Quote: 	
		  Just thought I'd pass on the laser thought.  



Later, - Lew

pitts_pilot(at)bellsouth.
Guest

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:51 pm Post subject: DRDT-2 dimpler

Lew Gallagher wrote:

snip



 	  Quote: 	
		  I added the laser X&Y axis guides ($5 ea. at Harbor Freight) to pinpoint where the die is to help line up the hole.  It's VERY sweet!  Just thought I'd pass on the laser thought. 



Got an item # for them???
	


Linn

do not archive



 	  Quote: 	
		   



Later, - Lew



--------

non-pilot

crazy about building

waiting on RV-10 finishing kit

rv(at)thelefflers.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: DRDT-2 dimpler

You laser light solution appears to have just resolved my only complaint

with the DRDT-2.  I guess I'll be heading to Harbor Freight when I get back

from the BCS Bowl.



Do you really need two lights to make it work effectively?

--

Lew Gallagher

Joined: 04 Jan 2008
Posts: 402
Location: Greenville , SC

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 6:56 am Post subject: Re: DRDT-2 dimpler

To the center of the die is 23".  That just happened to be how the material I had to work with turned out -- I truly believe I could have added another 4 or 5 inches with no problem whatsoever.  This thing is a monster, but solid as it can be!



I was actually looking for a laser pointer with a single dot and I was thinking of activating it with a limit switch on the ram so it would only come on when needed.  I couldn't wait and found these laser markers at Harbor Freight (Central Machinery, Laser Marker, item 93242) for $5 apiece.  They attach with magnets, stickey pad, or screws and have an on/off switch.  Since they form a line instead of a dot, I got two so that they make a cross hair right over the female die on the bottom.  I read that some didn't like the male die on the bottom cuz it scratched the surface trying to line it up with the hole -- this way there's no scratch and easy alignment every time.



Later, - Lew

_________________
non-pilot
crazy about building
NOW OFICIALLY BUILDER #40549
Fly off completed !

rv10builder(at)verizon.ne
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:10 am Post subject: DRDT-2 dimpler

So how are you setting it up so it doesn't "reflect" off the aluminum and 

cause some issues with the eyes?

Granted it is reflected but I still have my concerns..

Even HB warns about it on item# 93242-2VGA

      * LASER PRODUCTS

      DANGER: LASER LIGHT. AVOID DIRECT EYE EXPOSURE. Max. Output <5 mW. 

This product complies with 21 CFR 1040.10 and 1040.11





---

johngoodman

Joined: 18 Sep 2006
Posts: 530
Location: GA

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:09 am Post subject: Re: DRDT-2 dimpler

My Craftsman drill press has something similar that puts two laser lines on the hole. The instructions make it pretty clear that it shouldn't be used with reflective metals.

John

_________________
#40572 Phase One complete in 2011

pitts_pilot(at)bellsouth.
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 8:15 am Post subject: DRDT-2 dimpler

I just checked online $3.99!

Linn

do not archive



Lew Gallagher wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  



To the center of the die is 23".  That just happened to be how the material I had to work with turned out -- I truly believe I could have added another 4 or 5 inches with no problem whatsoever.  This thing is a monster, but solid as it can be!



I was actually looking for a laser pointer with a single dot and I was thinking of activating it with a limit switch on the ram so it would only come on when needed.  I couldn't wait and found these laser markers at Harbor Freight (Central Machinery, Laser Marker, item 93242) for $5 apiece.  They attach with magnets, stickey pad, or screws and have an on/off switch.  Since they form a line instead of a dot, I got two so that they make a cross hair right over the female die on the bottom.  I read that some didn't like the male die on the bottom cuz it scratched the surface trying to line it up with the hole -- this way there's no scratch and easy alignment every time.



Later, - Lew



--------

non-pilot

crazy about building

waiting on RV-10 finishing kit

MauleDriver(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:24 am Post subject: DRDT-2 dimpler

This sounds neat.  But I can't quite figure out how it helps yet. 



The technique I use is with the male die always on the top, I put the 

hold in the male die, then press down the handle which moves the sheet 

and the dies down onto the female die.



Putting the male die on the bottom produces scratches.  Allowing the 

sheet to lie on the female die and trying to hit it with the male die 

will sooner or later result in a new hole.



I'm doing the baggage door right now on the DRDT-2 and I just can't 

figure out how to take advantage of a laser guide line. 



..but I think I'll get them anyway and play.



Bill Watson

rv10builder(at)verizon.ne
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:56 am Post subject: DRDT-2 dimpler

Unfortunately, with the leading edges having the male on top would involve 

putting the c-frame inside the skins and I fear even if i used something 

there would be worse scratching of the insides than anything I would do to 

the outside skins, which BTW is covered with paint eventually; unless I am 

missing something with the method, than please let me know as I am 

interested in your method.

Pascal

---

msausen

Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 559
Location: Appleton, WI USA

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:21 am Post subject: DRDT-2 dimpler

Most people put the male die on the bottom and use the pin as a center and hold.  Yes it may scratch a little but unless you are polishing the aluminum rather than painting, it makes no difference.  You'll find that you can get into quite the rhythm with the DRDT and knock out dimple jobs in a hurry using the male on the bottom.  Just don't get into the "zone" too much and miss a hole.  Ask several of us how we know.  



My 0.02



Michael



--

MauleDriver(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:21 am Post subject: DRDT-2 dimpler

Well, I'm a QB builder so I missed some of the more challenging dimpling 

jobs.  I should say that I always try to use the male die on the top but 

I'm sure there are exceptions that I've forgotten about (tail skins?).



I'm headed out to Harbor Freight now since I just heard they have their 

2 ton crane on sale. 



Bill



Pascal wrote:

[quote] 



 Unfortunately, with the leading edges having the male on top would 

 involve putting the c-frame inside the skins and I fear even if i used 

 something there would be worse scratching of the insides than anything 

 I would do to the outside skins, which BTW is covered with paint 

 eventually; unless I am missing something with the method, than please 

 let me know as I am interested in your method.

 Pascal

 ---

msausen

Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 559
Location: Appleton, WI USA

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 10:24 am Post subject: DRDT-2 dimpler

Just watch the angles that you have them aimed at and the likelihood of direct eye contact is pretty slim.  As someone else said, protective glasses would also work and double as safety glasses.  You do wear safety glasses don't you?  



Michael



--

rv10builder(at)verizon.ne
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject: DRDT-2 dimpler

sure do, I have a new pair of welder googles.. problem is I can't see what 

I'm doing..  seriously though after having a speck of wood dust, making 

the table, get in my eyes I have worn protective googles ever since.

Thanks for the insight, that is actually what I was looking for..

Pascal

---

MauleDriver(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:55 am Post subject: DRDT-2 dimpler

I guess there really is more than one way to skin a '10.



The folks (Jacob) down in Griffin GA suggested the male die on top 

approach - mainly so you don't miss a hole (useful) and don't scratch 

(not important).  It works but don't ask.  I've certainly built a rhythm 

around that approach too.



In any case , the DRDT certainly beats its predecessor (can you 'bang' 

hear me 'bang'  now?)



Bill "with a couple of nervous cats" Watson

 

RV Builder (Michael Sausen) wrote:

[quote] 



 Most people put the male die on the bottom and use the pin as a center and hold.  Yes it may scratch a little but unless you are polishing the aluminum rather than painting, it makes no difference.  You'll find that you can get into quite the rhythm with the DRDT and knock out dimple jobs in a hurry using the male on the bottom.  Just don't get into the "zone" too much and miss a hole.  Ask several of us how we know.  



 My 0.02



 Michael



 --

Jon Reining

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 37

Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:27 pm Post subject: Re: DRDT-2 dimpler

Is the US Weekly in the background how you entice your wife to help you in the workshop?



Jon Reining 40514

Wishing I had a workshop to work on the RV10...



DO NOT ARCHIVE

Lew Gallagher

Joined: 04 Jan 2008
Posts: 402
Location: Greenville , SC

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 4:50 am Post subject: Re: DRDT-2 dimpler

Who'd a thunk there'd a been so much interest in a couple a laser gismo's!

Thanks for the comments.



Last evening I was experimenting in less than daylight to see what the deal with reflection is.  It appears that there's only one spot a few inches off center on the horizontal axis that would reflect in your eye -- if you made an effort to look at it.  That's because of the angle of the mounting.



This weekend I'll try a simple hood of tape to narrow the cross hair and eliminate that angle.



Now,  off to that pesky career that gets in the way of my real job.



Later, - Lew

_________________
non-pilot
crazy about building
NOW OFICIALLY BUILDER #40549
Fly off completed !

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