Tank Dimple Dies... yes or no?

danielhv · #1 10-27-2008, 10:10 AM

Man, I'm just scratching the surface of these fuel tanks and they are already a pain. Seems like one thing I need comes right after another! So now I'm reading about fuel tank dimple dies. Are they needed? Or should I just use my regular die set?

I wish somebody would just come build my tanks for me for a 6-pack.

jferraro17 · #2 10-27-2008, 10:20 AM

I wouldn't do them for 10 six packs...but you can borrow my tank die set if you want to.

jferraro16 at yahoo.com

Joe

RyanM · #3 10-27-2008, 10:21 AM

See if you can find someone to borrow the dies from. I'm about 90% done with one tank, and so far, I'm glad I used the tank dies. The rivets have sealant under each head, and they are almost perfectly flush.

My Results

So, for what it's worth, I'm glad I bought and used the tank dies.

One thing, when I was in the same boat, the conclusion I came to was that using normal dies will yield a perfectly acceptable tank. The tank dies will just make it a tad nicer. You can use the tank dies for dimpling the ribs and normal dies for skins on the other parts of the plane, The idea is that you'll get the two pieces to match up better. Since the deeper dimple will allow for the thickness of the skin material.

danielhv · #4 10-27-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jferraro16

I wouldn't do them for 10 six packs...but you can borrow my tank die set if you want to.

jferraro16 at yahoo.com

214-673-3459

Joe

I'm taking you up on your offer!!! I'll call you this evening!

btw... How 'bout 10 six packs and a steak dinner? :wink:

mike109g6 · #5 10-27-2008, 10:36 AM

Just a couple of hints on the Tanks. I was never able to use the tank jig as explained in the plans. I simply could not get the ribs to go in, so I gave up and clecoed all bottom of the ribs on the skin and then rolled the skin around on the top of the ribs clecoing the nose first all the way across the skin, skipping a hole and doing the same until i had half of the skin done. I then sat it in the jig and it was a perfect fit and fit the wing perfectly as well.
Mike H 9A/8A

Mel · #6 10-27-2008, 10:47 AM

Having said that, back in the day, tank dimple dies did not exist. We did just fine with the standard ones.

Bevan · #7 10-27-2008, 11:33 AM

"No person builds an airplane, the tools do. The person merely operates the tools." The better the tools, and skill of the operator, the better the finished product.

I used the tank dies, and have no leaks, just flush rivets.

Bevan
RV7A wiring

Transporter · #8 10-27-2008, 11:50 AM

I used the Avery tank dies and have no regrets. The difference between the tank dies and the Cleaveland dies I've used everywhere else is very subtle...gotta get a micrometer out to know the difference...but the dimple is a bit deeper.

Mike

DaX · #9 10-27-2008, 11:52 AM

I borrowed a set and was pleased with the results.

BGS · #10 07-24-2010, 05:00 PM

OK, I may have screwed up big time here but need to find out.

I opted to purchase the tank dimple dies from Avery. The part that I might have screwed up on is what parts you use them on. I used the tank ties on the skins, have not done any other part as of yet.

I was searching to see if the ribs also should be dimpled with the tank dies when I realized maybe I made a mistake.

So the questions are. Did I screw up by using the tank dies on the skins? Should I use the tank dies on the ribs? Will I be ok dimpleing both the skins and ribs with the tank dies?

Thanks much for any help on this.

FYI this is for tanks on an RV10

Brian