Numatix vs traditional pneumatic squeezer

[vfrazier]

The Numatx squeezer is very, very controllable too. It would be more difficult to "snap" it shut unexpectedly because it operates smoothly and more slowly. Regular pneumatic squeezers are snapping turtles and you'd better be careful of your fingers!!!!

The Numatx squeezer head is very light and EASY to manage too. Not so for a pneumatic squeezer, which is typically a handful, and heavy yoo.

[RWoodard]

I bought a Numatx from Blake back in January. It’s still in the box, but I can’t wait to put it to use on my next build (which is also still sitting in the box).

I have a regular CP214 squeezer, too, that I don’t plan to sell, but I’m a tool junky and can’t stand the thought of not having one of everything!

It sure sounds like the greatest thing since sliced bread. I also emailed Mark Swinford and he sent plans to build a C-frame tool to hold the new Numatx squeezer.

Now I just need to buy a Tig welder and learn how to weld!

[diamond]

Originally Posted by RWoodard

I bought a Numatx from Blake back in January. It’s still in the box, but I can’t wait to put it to use on my next build (which is also still sitting in the box).

I have a regular CP214 squeezer, too, that I don’t plan to sell, but I’m a tool junky and can’t stand the thought of not having one of everything!

It sure sounds like the greatest thing since sliced bread. I also emailed Mark Swinford and he sent plans to build a C-frame tool to hold the new Numatx squeezer.

Now I just need to buy a Tig welder and learn how to weld!

Don't need anything fancy to weld this. I built mine with a Hobart Handler mig welder with flux core wire and took a 2 hour lesson on how to use it.

[Brantel]

Originally Posted by vfrazier

Brian,

It's not necessarily intuitive when you're accustomed to the way that the pneumatic squeezers work. I'll try to, very briefly, explain the differences:

Pneumatic, traditional squeezers operate with you setting the travel of the ram. You have to readjust the travel for different lengths of rivets.

Numatx squeezers are COMPLETELY different. Numatx squeezers are adjusted by setting the pressure on the air supply. The air pressure acts on a hydraulic cylinder to close the ram, but just ignore that statement.

The important thing to know is that the Numatx squeezes the rivet based on pressure. What that means is that when the squeezer exerts XXX psi on the rivet, and the force required to squash the rivet to that point equals XXX psi, the squeezing stops. It stops right there, every time, very uniformly.

With the Numatx, you only need to know how many PSI are required to set a 3/32" rivet or a 1/8" rivet. This is dependent on your gauge, simply because gauges vary slightly. Once you know those numbers, you only need to set the air pressure input and rivets simply come out uniformly....regardless of length!! Only the rivet diameter affects the outcome. It's actually super simple once you do it.

Blake has the Numatx squeezers on his site:
https://www.flyboyaccessories.com/product-p/2701.htm

Thanks Vince,

Being in industrial automation for 25 years I am very familiar with air over hydraulic systems. I fully understand that part.

What was foggy for me was how the shop head dimensions could be maintained without some sort of fixed/mechanical stroke stop/limit. Your example makes perfect sense to me about the air pressure changes with 3/32" or 1/8" rivets. What I did not know is that the force required to control the shop head dimensions for a give rivet diameter don't change much with rivet length. It appears that is what allows the Numatx to work the way it does.

Anyway thanks for the additional info! Makes me want one even more but I also have a daughter entering college this fall so looks like I am out of luck

[vfrazier]

For what it's worth, here's a couple air pressure data points. Remember, your gauge may read differently. I'm using a cheap Harbor Freight gauge/regulator to control my squeezer.

I think about 45 to 55psi for 3/32” rivets and 75-80 psi for 1/8” rivets is a good starting point. You need to test this on your own unit to verify.

Another tip is to mount your hydraulic unit, regulator, and foot pedal on a board. This makes it easy to scoot the unit around the floor while your using the squeezer.

[mike newall]

Go back to page one and look at the start of my video. You will see the arrangement I copied off of Vince's setup I saw when he bludgeoned me into buying one at Sun n Fun 2 years ago

Best bit of kit I have in the shop.

Oh, apart from the beer fridge.

[I.am.Human.Factors]

Can the Numatix unit also take dimple dies in a standard yoke to dimple flanges in ribs, for example?

[penguin]

Yes

More characters to get to minimum!

[diamond]

Would like to hear from some of the folks that have the Numatx with the actuator button on the handle. Wondering if that has been a worthwhile modification.

[mike newall]

One of the main advantages of the Numatx is that your hands are free to hold the piece and the head. You squeeze with your foot.

Why would you want a lever on the head