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Building A Hand Held Planishing Hammer

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Duke, Apr 24, 2009.

  1. Duke
    Joined: Mar 21, 2001
    Posts: 830

    Duke
    Member

    I just picked up a set a of CP lower dies made by Hoosier on e-bay and plan on building a hand held planishing hammer. My thought is a tube frame, air hammer and a flat rivet head for a top die. I have some questions for those who have built these before:
    1. I want to make the frame light, but if it is too light it won't be good- any recomendations on frame material- I was thinking 3/4 heavy wall tube??
    2. Air hammers- what BPM should I look for?
    3. Upper die- is a rivet head good enough or should I spring for the hoosier upper die? (I think it is around $80).
    4. Throat size- how deep should I make it? I plan on using this to work on my 34 coupe with extensive roll over roof damage.
    5. Lower die holder- what material should I make it out of so my dies don't get stuck in it?

    If you have not seen the hoosier dies, check them out, they look nice!
     
  2. budd
    Joined: Oct 31, 2006
    Posts: 3,478

    budd
    Member

  3. The antique one I got to play with had a frame of about 2 1/4' tubing, it actually had three with different throat depths. You just swapped them out when needed. I think the one that was in the machine the most had an 18" depth.
     
  4. John_Kelly
    Joined: Feb 19, 2003
    Posts: 535

    John_Kelly
    Member

    Hi Duke,

    I made mine from 1/2" square tubing bent to fit. A 4X rivet gun and steel tubing for the die holder and riveter sleeve. It is flexible which is handy for lumpy work. You squeeze it together to stretch or smooth where you need more pressure. An inline regulator is a must. You might want to make several frames. The longest one should use heavier material and the shorter one like mine would be light weight. Picture attached. You can see it in action in my youtube videos below: CMB #2 if I remember right.

    John www.ghiaspecialties.com
     

    Attached Files:


  5. scootermcrad
    Joined: Sep 20, 2005
    Posts: 12,382

    scootermcrad
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I always thought it would be really cool to have one of these! Good idea!

    Always thought a handheld english wheel would be helpful as well!
     
  6. Duke
    Joined: Mar 21, 2001
    Posts: 830

    Duke
    Member

    Thanks for the info so far guys. I like the idea of several frames. What is the main difference between using a 4X rivet gun and a quality long barrel air hammer? I can buy an air hammer local, but I will need to find a rivet gun online.
    Thanks
     
  7. John_Kelly
    Joined: Feb 19, 2003
    Posts: 535

    John_Kelly
    Member

    Hi Duke,

    The riveter has a teasable trigger making it a slightly more variable at the trigger.

    Jim Bailie said something to the effect of not needing a riveter, that an air hammer works just fine. If you search his albums on metalshapers.org you will probably find something about it.

    I do like the teasable trigger on my riveter, but most of the variation in hit strength, and rapidity is done with the regulator.

    John www.ghiaspecialties.com
     
  8. beaulieu
    Joined: Mar 24, 2007
    Posts: 362

    beaulieu
    Member
    from So Cal

    the larger riveters also use a larger shaft ,
    the small zip guns use a .401 shaft ,

    so if you already have dies make sure you match them

    Beaulieu
     
  9. Slide
    Joined: May 11, 2004
    Posts: 3,021

    Slide
    Member

    FWIW, I just picked up a used 4x CP rivet gun, and I've had some success shaping sheet metal by just using the rivet gun in my hand and a dolly for the anvil. I even rounded off the head of an 8# sledge hammer, clamped it in my bench vise, and used that like a post dolly.

    For the rivet set (The "bit" you put in the rivet gun), I'm using a flush set, which has a round (about 7/8" dia.) flat surface not unlike the business end of a good body hammer. (Very much like the one in John's photos above.)

    I like the rivet gun's teasable trigger. I'm just learning how to use the thing, so it's nice to be able to go a little slower.

    One other nice thing I've discovered is that you can hammer off-dolly using this method.

    I still have thoughts of making a frame, though.
     
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2009
  10. fordcragar
    Joined: Dec 28, 2005
    Posts: 3,198

    fordcragar
    Member
    from Yakima WA.

    Another place that you might check is www.metalmeet.com

    One of the MetalMeet guys made a scissor like handheld hammer about six years ago, out of aluminum and it seemed to work well.
     
  11. HOTTRODZZ
    Joined: Aug 21, 2006
    Posts: 335

    HOTTRODZZ
    Member

    Nice Job John...!
     
  12. havi
    Joined: Dec 30, 2008
    Posts: 1,876

    havi
    Member

  13. Yardstore.com should have flat Upper Dies.
    Much more reasonable $$$ than Hoosier.


    I would go with larger cross section, thin wall tubing,
    to get stiffness without un-necessary weight.
     
  14. fordcragar
    Joined: Dec 28, 2005
    Posts: 3,198

    fordcragar
    Member
    from Yakima WA.

    I will agree with Ian.

    As for the upper die, do a search for rivet sets, I bought one off of Ebay for $20 a few years ago.
     
  15. Duke
    Joined: Mar 21, 2001
    Posts: 830

    Duke
    Member

    What diameter and wall tube should I use?
     
  16. Fish Tank
    Joined: May 22, 2008
    Posts: 550

    Fish Tank


    HEY! I subscribe on youtube to your videos...lol I had no idea it was you.
    Ha! (small world)
    ~Jef
     
  17. Duke
    Joined: Mar 21, 2001
    Posts: 830

    Duke
    Member

    Any more ideas?

    Thanks
     

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