Newbie Dimple Question

pilot28906 · #1 01-30-2007, 09:31 PM

I have been practicing some drilling, deburring, and dimpling with some scrap pieces that came with the Emp. kit. I have drilled a nice row of holes with a #30 drill bit, deburred them, and dimpled with 1/8" dimple dies using my DRDT2. However, my Cleco's will not work (copper color) after the dimpling. I think the dimple dies should come tight together at the bottom of the stroke. Is this correct? Also, how much is the hole supposed to open up after dimple? I havn't measured, but the hole after dimple is larger than after drilling. Should I open up the dies at the end of the stroke or tighten them closer at the end of the stroke? Any suggestion would be appreciated.

John

dan · #2 01-31-2007, 12:49 AM

You want the dies to close at the end of the stroke for as crisp a coining effect of the aluminum as possible. With a DRDT-2, there's basically no such thing as over-dimpling.

Clecos...not all brands are created equal. Some have a slightly narrower diameter that work great in plain drilled holes but not in dimpled holes. Dimpled holes do end up getting stretched open slightly -- by design -- and crummy clecos slip.

I use Wedgelok clecos exclusively and have no issues. If anybody tells you to use a smaller drill bit to fix a cleco problem, ignore them!

Pirkka · #3 01-31-2007, 01:44 AM

This has been discussed in couple of threads and here are few:

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ead.php?t=8874
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ead.php?t=7412

Also this might be the problem you are having:

http://www.planetools.com/Deburring_Holes.htm

Otherwise I would try to find proper clecos as Dan said. I bought mine from Avery and no problems so far... I haven't really tried to check which brand they are.

N520TX · #4 01-31-2007, 06:07 AM

I've always used the copper cleco's for #30 holes - both before and after dimpling. Prior to final drilling, they are a bit tight sometimes tho. After they got quite a bit of use, the odd one would eventually fail to hold the work after the dimple, that's when I just tossed it. I've never used nor owned a red cleco -first i've heard of that size.