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  #11  
Old 04-17-2011, 10:12 PM
agirard7a's Avatar
agirard7a agirard7a is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Newport, RI
Posts: 705
Default No!

Do not build it into the bench. You will need the bench
for other uses and the c- frame will get in the way.
Put the c frame on top of the bench and build a seperate
platform that the c frame fits into. In my opion yes it is needed to keep the large skins 90 to the dimpler. Generally you put the male dimple
on the bottom. Build the platform so that it is very close to flush when the dimple is inserted. Buy the conversion base and 12" back rivet tool. Cheap and well worth it. It does perfect riveting an is cheaper than a pneumatic squeezer. Feel free to call with any questions. 401-862-5577. Check out the video at EAA.org using a c frame to rivet. There are many other GREAT building tip videos on this site. Al
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Last edited by agirard7a : 04-17-2011 at 10:16 PM.
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  #12  
Old 04-17-2011, 11:04 PM
Danny7 Danny7 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: central oregon
Posts: 1,089
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by cbrown747 View Post
I was watching a video 'rv builder basics' and the host mentioned the to use the c-frame dimpler you should build it into the workbench. In other words, modify the bench so that the bottom part of the c-frame is under the bench so that skins can lay flat while you perform the dimple operation.

Is this really necessary?
no, i used foam matting to bring the level of the table up to the dimple die level

i set the c frame up on the table, add the foam mat to each side till the al sheets are just the right level. works great
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Last edited by Danny7 : 04-17-2011 at 11:16 PM.
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  #13  
Old 04-17-2011, 11:13 PM
Flying Scotsman Flying Scotsman is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,256
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by agirard7a View Post
Do not build it into the bench. You will need the bench
for other uses and the c- frame will get in the way.
Put the c frame on top of the bench and build a seperate
platform that the c frame fits into. In my opion yes it is needed to keep the large skins 90 to the dimpler. Generally you put the male dimple
on the bottom. Build the platform so that it is very close to flush when the dimple is inserted. Buy the conversion base and 12" back rivet tool. Cheap and well worth it. It does perfect riveting an is cheaper than a pneumatic squeezer. Feel free to call with any questions. 401-862-5577. Check out the video at EAA.org using a c frame to rivet. There are many other GREAT building tip videos on this site. Al
I don't have a picture handy, but I'll try to describe what I inherited from my buddy after he was done with his -8 and I was starting the -7...

It's basically a sheet of plywood maybe 3' x 4', and on top of that he laid several 2x4s along the 3' dimension, maybe 8" apart, with the middle two just wide enough for the C-frame to nestle in. I think he ripped the 2x4s so that their heights once attached to the plywood *precisely* match the top of a dimple die when it's inserted into the bottom of the C-frame. Thus, a large sheet can be laid nice and flat and moved all over to be dimpled, and it lies flat because the 2x4s support it.

Does that make sense? I can take a picture tomorrow and post it if you wish...

Been a great tool, I used it for the wings, the fuselage and bunches of other stuff...
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  #14  
Old 04-18-2011, 04:53 AM
RVNineA RVNineA is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 66
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny7 View Post
no, i used foam matting to bring the level of the table up to the dimple die level

i set the c frame up on the table, add the foam mat to each side till the al sheets are just the right level. works great
I agree with above (except I use flattened cardboard boxes to raise up the sheets). You will need to move the C-frame around to do the ends of large sheets and it's very quick and easy to just rearrange your c-frame and foam (or cardboard).

John
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  #15  
Old 04-18-2011, 05:31 AM
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robertahegy robertahegy is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: East Troy, WI
Posts: 1,983
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I built my C frame into the table, but in retrospect, using foam or cardboard to support the sheeting is a better idea. This allows you to freely move the C frame around to accomodate the shape of your work. A C frame or DRDT-2 is necessary, as is a hand or air squeezer and a multitude of other small hand dimplers like the pop rivet and vice grip dimplers. A variety of yokes for the squeezer is also a must have. A good rivet gun is necessary and a good air drill is nice.

Scrimping on tools only leads to difficulty in performing tasks, which could lead to poor workmanship, damaged parts needing replacement, and possibly abandoning the project out of frustration. Going to an aircraft type of sheet metal class or RV assembly seminar is also highly recommended if you haven't ever done this type of work before.

Roberta
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  #16  
Old 04-18-2011, 10:01 AM
datsclark datsclark is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Redwood City, CA
Posts: 80
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I have an Avery C frame. It works great, and while i've read fantastic things about the DRDT, I just never got around to "upgrading." Having just gone dimpled my tanks, I can say that noise from banging all those out isn't terribly pleasant for yourself or your neighbors!

This is what I built when working on the emp to hold up skins while dimpling. It's big enough to hold enough of the skin that whatever is over the edge doesn't bend too much--although sometimes I need to support with something else.

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  #17  
Old 04-19-2011, 07:17 PM
cbrown747 cbrown747 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: palm harbor, fl
Posts: 51
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thanks for all the great ideas. I am a computer programmer and I have never witnessed such a wonderful and responsive forum as this one and I have tried many for my occupation. It surely lives up to the reputation of being one of the best sources for information.
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  #18  
Old 04-20-2011, 06:47 AM
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Lemmingman Lemmingman is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: McKinney, TX
Posts: 689
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbrown747 View Post
thanks for all the great ideas. I am a computer programmer and I have never witnessed such a wonderful and responsive forum as this one and I have tried many for my occupation. It surely lives up to the reputation of being one of the best sources for information.
Yes, I also work in the exciting and rewarding field of IT I find it refreshing to ask questions, or post comments, and not be flamed by everyone with a computer and an opinion.

One last thing. The DRDT will come with plans to build a table similar to datsclark's above (nice table, btw) which you can modify in length or depth or whatever.
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