Dzus Dimple Die Tool Review
I needed a quick and simple way to do a dimple for a Dzus fastener and looked at a few different ways to do it. I found this simple Dimple Die Tool (Amazon) for under $25 bucks. Gave it a shot and pulled the trigger. Part showed up next day and I was off and running. This is a simple tool that does not require a press, but just a hole to pass the bolt through and the rest is up to you. Seems well made, says Chromoly and all nicely black oxided.
Dzus Dimpler Tool
This is the tool (images swiped off Amazon). And it's pretty much as received. Seemed well machined and finished. Not clear where it was made, but not made in USA stickers so suspect Chinesium, but still well made for a change.
Dzus Tool Ready to Crimp
Popped the bolt through the tool and got it hand tight. Just need a couple of wrenches to get things going. Pretty easy so far.
Front Dimple
With a couple of wrenches (one ratchet style) I quickly made a nice dimple in the sheet metal. The impression was nice and clean from the front where the Dzus fastener sits.
Dzus Tool Disassembled
The tool taken apart, machine work on the tool was nice, and bolt as mention was a nice flanged style with flanged nut.
Scrap Metal Test
This is a piece of scrap sheet metal from the Sunbeam Tiger. It measures in the 16 gauge range, drilled a hole to cram the bolt through.
Rear Dimple
The metal was really dirty but overall a very clean effect. Nothing out of the ordinary. One thing to note is that I think the tool will center up well even if the hole is drilled larger then then bolt size.
Dzus Dimpler Closed Dimensions
This is what it looks like on my dirty work bench. This is the close up shot, and it's a bit over 2" long closed. Plenty of thread for sheet metal, and nice flange nut as well.
Dzus Test Fit
Seemed to fit of very nicely, this was a generic Jegs brand Dzus panel fastener I got in an assortment
Conclusion
This is a low cost tool that seems to do what it's supposed to do. Nothing super out of the ordinary, quality of materials used is high and had no trouble with thicker sheet metal. Not sure what the maximum rating is but for me this worked well on steel, should work just fine on aluminum too.
I picked up my Dzus Dimpler Tool at Amazon, I think they may also have a direct site if you poke around.
Happy Motoring!
