Pullmax embossing method

[Rick Mullin]

I have numerous Pullmax projects in the shop that require making patterned embossing. Some of the projects require repetition of the patterns. I remember seeing a post by Per that showed a method using MDF that served as both the lower die and as a pattern board to make an X shaped embossing.

The method was intriguing but I did not try it at the time. Can someone post some details of this method? I don't recall the exact post. There may have been one similar before "the crash" when much info was lost.

Thanks, Rick

[anders nørgaard]

Rick,

I can't find alot of pics and info on how Per did the floorboard on the Pmax

There is a pic in post #176 (page 18) in Per's "what's going on in my garage" thread.

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=349&pictureid=5768

Here's a couple of pics I took of the process in last year's October Meet in Norway :) :cool:

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=428&pictureid=5925

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=428&pictureid=5924

As yo can see, the "hammerform" has got a male and a female part. The special effect in the embossed "lines" were accomplished by using male dies having different diameters ;)

[DanGunit]

This is John Alba's Pullmax beading technique, which is I beleive where Per got the idea from.

http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6823&highlight=pullmax+beading+technique

Cheers,
Daniel

[Metalman Sweden]

Hi guys!

Its a easy method, the only you need is a flat tabel under the sandwich so you get a nice support.

The upper die has a radius and a size that fits in the "mdf guide"

I dont know who "developed" this ideá but first time I used it was around 1988 when I made parts for industrial hyudralic tanks, and I guess that they done this in that shop for the last 20 years then.... at this time we used steel upper die and also the guide and lower "mdf" was made of steel....we done the parts out of 2 mm sheet :D

If you get the right setup you will end up with super nice panels and the repeat is just a snap!!

//Per

[Hairy-Neil]

I've these pressings I put in floor pans, currently with a hammerform and hand held air hammer. Can this be done by your Pullmax method? The embossing is roughly 6 x 8 inches.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b201/Hairy-Neil/002-9.jpg

[anders nørgaard]

Shouldn't be a problem Neil. Same technique. Sandwich form and a flat table/surface for lower support :)

[Hairy-Neil]

But what size/shape for the top tool???

Do you think it will work with a round tool, that matches the corner radius?

[anders nørgaard]

I think a round tool would work. I aso think a square tool which has been ground to the desired radius would work

[Dawai]

And I don't see any reason why it would not work in my HOME MADE over head helve hammer too.

Just need a bit of shop time to try it. and a project that requires it.

[Hairy-Neil]

I think a round tool would work. I aso think a square tool which has been ground to the desired radius would work

More tools to make, thanks Anders.... :cool:

[route56wingnut]

I've these pressings I put in floor pans, currently with a hammerform and hand held air hammer. Can this be done by your Pullmax method? The embossing is roughly 6 x 8 inches.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b201/Hairy-Neil/002-9.jpg

Harry , I gave it a go with my offset dies for the pulmax and without useing a guide the results show that it is doable with just these dies (Terry Stolarski Specials ) What these dies do is it flows the metal over the die and doesnt potato chip the panel as you can see . I did this in 3 quick passes. If done in more passes with less adjustment it has even better results . All you do is cut your stem stock a little over half the width and just relieve the edges and round over the ends a little and let the magic begin .
These also work quite well for chassing 2 different body profiles that intersect .

[kit]

Run us through the process, which tool are you adjusting the height / depth of each pass?
Which way up is the panel in the machine?
I think you are raising the bottom tool and therefore forming the bowl up from the sheet, is that right?

[route56wingnut]

Run us through the process, which tool are you adjusting the height / depth of each pass?
Which way up is the panel in the machine?
I think you are raising the bottom tool and therefore forming the bowl up from the sheet, is that right?

The panel is facing up and the tool is raised after each pass untill you get the correct height you desire .Again I didnt use a guide as I usually do , but was just showing proof of concept .You coulld make a simple guide made from MDF or whatever scraps you have laying around and guide off of the lower tooling .

[Tin Head]

I've been flirting with building a guide system/fence support for my small recip machine for a while. After seeing your table, it gives me another reason to build it. Thanks Dan for showing it, I think that clinches the build I need to do.

[jlrussell4]

Hi Bob,

Be sure and keep us informed with your project. I think there are a lot of us that would be interested in a fence and support guide for a small reciprocating machine. I am and I haven't even built my recip. machine yet. It might make a difference on how I build it :idea:.