Dies for alligator squeezer

[chiefaponte]

I got a good deal on an CP-214 alligator squeezer on Ebay. It works really good except that for dimpling I have to use an assortment of washers to get it to close properly.

Are there any long-shank dies?

My goal is to compensate with shims but do not want the shank to be short inside the yoke bore.

Any tricks or ideas send them this way.

[mlwynn]

I bought an alligator squeezer a couple of years ago. There are some spots where it is just exactly the right tool. I had a very difficult time figuring out how to get it set up till someone on this list explained the secret: you need a whole bunch of sets in different sizes. There is a limit to how many washers you can put on an alligator squeezer and get it to work correctly. The jaws have to be parallel at the end point of the squeeze. The only way to do this properly is to have sets in varying thicknesses so that you only need one or two washers to get the squeezer set up correctly.

I bought flat sets from about 1/8th to about a half inch. Same with cupped sets in both 3/32 (-3 rivet) and 1/4 (-4 rivet) sizes. No problems whatever since. IIRC, I got them from aircraft tool supply.

Regards,

Michael Wynn
RV 8 FWF
San Ramon

[Rick6a]

Originally Posted by chiefaponte

....I have to use an assortment of washers to get it to close properly.......

I think I have a fair assortment of squeeze sets to go with my pneumatic squeezers. Even so, more often than not I STILL have to use a combination of thick and/or thin steel washers to generate the optimum dimple or rivet shop head. Goes with the territory.



You can drill a hole through the middle of a flush set (shown in the foreground with the dimple dies) to accept the shank of other dies. Sometimes that can be helpful....but their usefulness depends on what type of squeezer yokes you have.

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by chiefaponte

.....

My goal is to compensate with shims but do not want the shank to be short inside the yoke bore.

Any tricks or ideas send them this way.

The moving part of the dimpler - the set holder - does come in different lengths.

I have two different lengths for mine, and which one I use does depend on the specific yoke in use. With the correct part, I never have a die inside the yoke bore.

I do not have the adjustable part, which might be better overall.



http://www.averytools.com/pc-471-13-...squeezers.aspx

Avery also sells two lengths of set holders, perhaps you should buy the length you dont have?

http://www.averytools.com/pc-870-13-...t-holders.aspx

[chaskuss]

Originally Posted by az_gila

The moving part of the dimpler - the set holder - does come in different lengths.

I have two different lengths for mine, and which one I use does depend on the specific yoke in use. With the correct part, I never have a die inside the yoke bore.

I do not have the adjustable part, which might be better overall.



http://www.averytools.com/pc-471-13-...squeezers.aspx

Avery also sells two lengths of set holders, perhaps you should buy the length you dont have?

http://www.averytools.com/pc-870-13-...t-holders.aspx

Gil,
The poster is asking a question regarding the CP-214 ALLIGATOR style squeezer, not the style which uses C style yokes. That adjusting style ram doesn't work in the alligator style squeezer.
Charlie Kuss