Identifying unlabelled Dimple dies

[TASEsq]

Hi,

I have 4 dimple dies which I am unable to identify and which don’t have any markings.

I’ve measured the shank size of the ‘pilot’ but can’t really reconcile these against the drill / rivet / screw reference chart. Hoping someone can help!

Die 1: 0.185”
Best guess is this is a -6 3/16” rivet maybe?
Edit: Or more likely a #10 screw? (A 3/16 rivet is 0.1875 so bigger than the dimple shank)

Die 2: 0.134”
Pretty sure this is a #6 screw but not 100%

Die 3: 0.163”
Pretty sure this is a #8 screw but also not 100%

Die 4: 0.154”
Maybe a -5 5/32 rivet??

Here are the images:

[n82rb]

all of mine are stamped on the side. try cleaning them up a bit with a scotchbrite pad an maybe something will show up.

bob burns
RV-4

[mfleming]

No images showing up??

[Mel]

Worst case....dimple some scrap aluminum and see what fits!

[Ralph Inkster]

I have a dimple die kit from Spruce, also un-labeled. The set I use regularly are from Cleveland, and are marked. Results when compared below:

Die 1: 0.185? - #10 screws

Die 2: 0.134? - #6 screws

Die 3: 0.163? - #8 screws

Die 4: 0.154? - ??? I have a counter sink this size but have never used it... so don't know what it's for.

[chrispratt]

Have you tried using one of those drill bit hole guides we all buy to identify #30, #40, etc. drill bit sizes? That should get you there.

Chris

[TASEsq]

Thanks all,

Can everyone see the embedded images below?

Looked with a magnifying glass - no markings at all (which I can?t beliebe really!).

@Ralph - thanks for taking the time to do that - appreciate it, and it?s inline with my guesses for the first 3, so I think we are good here.

@Chris - don?t have one of those guides, but have calipers and the Cleveland reference guide which puts the pilot at #23 exactly.

The 0.154 is the mystery - it?s slightly larger than the Avery 5/32 die (0.151?) I have so I suspect it may be for a screw but can?t be certain. 0.154? is a #23, which is right between a #6 (28) and a #8 (19), so maybe not. 5/32 is the closest fraction at 0.15625? which is why I was thinking is was for a -5 rivet and maybe the slight size difference is just due to different manufacturers.

Using the Cleveland reference chart, For a -5 5/32 rivet the rivet diameter is 0.15625? and this needs a #21 drill at 0.1590?, so the labelled Avery die at 0.151? (8 thou out) maybe wouln?t even fit as well as the unlabelled one at 0.154? (only 5 thou out), but I?m suspecting it?s for a -5 unless I?m missing something?

[RV7A Flyer]

This will probably get flamed (and I was just as anal myself during the build about using *the correct* dies for any given hole), but...

If the pilot on the die goes through the hole, and it's reasonably close (not a sloppy fit of an obviously-too small pilot), would you ever even notice any difference? Aren't they all 100 degrees, and if the pilot is centered in the hole, can there really be much difference in the results between two almost-identical dies?

[Mel]

Originally Posted by RV7A Flyer

Aren't they all 100 degrees, and if the pilot is centered in the hole, can there really be much difference in the results between two almost-identical dies?

Except for pop rivets. They are 120?.

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by Mel

Except for pop rivets. They are 120?.

Yes... I took my 120 degree one and marked it all around with a red sharpie...