bed for DRDT-2

prkaye · #1 07-14-2006, 07:43 AM

The DRDT-2 comes with plans to make a wodden bed that sits up at the height of dimpler, I guess to support large sheets of metal while dimpling.

Has anyone operated the DRDT-2 with and/or without this bed? Anyone found the bed to be indespensable, or useless?

Kenneth · #2 07-14-2006, 07:52 AM

I dimpled most of my emp without a bed. I just clamped the DRDT-2 to my workbench and had a helper hold the other end of a skin or whatever while dimpling. It wasn't difficult, but in the end I decided it needed a table of its own and I built the one shown on my website . Click Here. It's a simple 1 person job to dimple just about anything now.

--Ken

deltazulu · #3 07-14-2006, 07:54 AM

Phil,

Below is a link to my site showing the tables I built for mine. I didn't use the drawings that came with the DRDT, but mine are similar. I built them out of MDF from Home Depot. The surface of the MDF is so smooth it won't scratch the skins as long as the surface is kept clean. I couldn't dimple by myself without them, so I would say they are indispensable from that standpoint and they don't take long to build. I did not attach them to the dimpler so I can move them around, spread them out as needed, etc.

Dalton

http://www.deltazulu.net/Tools/tools9-11-05.htm

cobra · #4 07-14-2006, 08:17 AM

To get consistent dimples and avoid unplanned creases, it is important to keep the skin approximately level with the dies. The tables help, but one could just as easy lower the part of your bench that supports the DRDT base to keep the dies level with the skin.

If I had it to do again, Id redesign the tables to be a bit more movable/portable (possibly longer, to allow better support of the skins when working on outside edges).

cjensen · #5 07-14-2006, 08:19 AM

I incorporated my DRDT-2 in to my workbench. It is removable, and the piece that was cut out of the table slides back in to place when then DRDT isn't there.

The DRDT is not attached to anything when sitting in it's cradle. The weight of the thing keeps it sturdy enough, plus the slot that I cut rubs the DRDT, so that friction helps keep it in place when in use.

I also use two pieces of carpet scrap on each side to level the skins with the die.

prkaye · #6 07-14-2006, 08:23 AM

That's a nice looking workbench!

Mike S · #7 07-14-2006, 08:28 AM

Well, I bought my dimpler used, and it came with an extension, but I added a couple of drawers, from Northern Hydraulics which are very handy. They mount just under the top, I keep my dimple dies and other misc stuff there.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...70_13412_13412

Someday I need to figure out the posting of photos here.

Mike

Guy Prevost · #8 07-14-2006, 10:16 AM

I built the bed per the instructions and can't imagine not having it.

Guy

AX-O · #9 07-14-2006, 10:29 AM

I just built a simple one. Dimpling is much easier if you have a bench. Plus you don't have to depend on anyone else to help you. I used left over 3/4 plywood from my workbenches. I covered it with a soft cloth and stapled it to the plywood (not shown on link). Go here for link.

RV7Factory · #10 07-17-2006, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobra

To get consistent dimples and avoid unplanned creases, it is important to keep the skin approximately level with the dies. The tables help, but one could just as easy lower the part of your bench that supports the DRDT base to keep the dies level with the skin.

I might even suggest having the lower die a touch higher than the surface of the table/bench/bed. Another easy trick is to just use a washer or two under the lower die to shim it to the appropriate height.