KitLog pro

Powered By Kitlog Pro v2.0

Johns Web Site
< Previous Log Entry          Next Log Entry >
' style=
Date:  8-13-2014
Number of Hours:  0.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Dimpling Tool

While waiting for the Tail kit to arrive, I decided to build a lever operated dimpling tool. My neighbor offered to loan me his C-Frame dimpler, and I strongly considered using it, but was a little put off by the idea of using a tool that required me to strike it with a hammer hundreds of times while dimpling all the Panther skins. I was concerned about the repeatability of the process, the risk of damaging a skin, and the resulting noise from the process.

I really liked the idea of the lever dimplers, but the cost of ~$400 plus shipping seemed unreasonable for this tightwad. So I decided to do what every red blooded, amateur aircraft builder would do; I reverse engineered my own version of this device from catalog photos by generating a solid model in 3D CAD. A local steel supplier had the correct rectangular steel tubing for the frame, and I found a suitable toggle clamp in the McMaster-Carr catalog. I welded the frame together with my TIG welder, then painted it with school bus yellow, Rust Stop, rattle-can paint. It is mounted on a heavy wheeled table I had on hand.

The carpeted table supports the skin to align it with the lower female dimple die. The front edge of the table can be extended to support the skin when dimpling near the trailing edge of a wing skin, or can be removed if dimpling near the leading edge. To speed up the process of aligning the hole in a skin with the lower dimpling die, I mounted a laser pointer on the side of the toggle mechanism to ease this otherwise blind process.

This device works great. The applied dimpling force is consistent, producing excellent results, with no noise, for a total cost of about $160.
' style=

My homebuilt lever operated dimpler.

My homebuilt lever operated dimpler.

' style=

Dimpler with front of table extended.

Dimpler with front of table extended.

' style=

Dimpler head details.

Dimpler head details.

' style=
< Previous Log Entry          Next Log Entry >










Copyright © 2001-2024 Matronics. All Rights Reserved.