About our Dies
We designed these dies based on 20 years of experience with our TM Air Power Hammer. We make these dies ourselves from high quality steel which is precision machined, hardened properly, tempered, and in some cases precision ground, for a perfect face or contact area. These are not cheap “make-do” tools. Our staff of engineers and metallurgists have many years of experience in industrial design and manufacturing. When you buy our parts you are getting U.S. industry-standard quality. Every item we sell is tested in our shop, not on the customer. What you receive from us is tried-and-true. Guaranteed!
Note to our customers...
Our TM Air Hammer uses the .498 shank size, and we design, manufacture, and sell tooling in that size. For customers using equipment that utilizes light air units with .401 shanks, we carry a limited quantity (as noted below) of that tooling as well. All lower dies are .80 size.
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Standard Dies
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The TM Basic Die Set
Our "Basic" die set includes one 2" Upper hammer head and three 1.625" Lower dies for flat, medium & high crowns.
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Roughing Head
For hollowing. Moves tough metals fast without hammer marks! Great for high crowns and saddles. This special upper head stretches fast high crowns on hard sheet (.050 and thinner steel), soft stainless, copper, 6061, and 5052 aluminums.
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Oversize Roughing Dies
For shaping large panels (.050 or less) of steel, aluminum, copper, etc. Forms faster, and is more effective for raising large crowns than our standard Roughing Head. Use with the Extra Very Heavy Air Unit for the most “hit.” 3" diam.
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Large Upper Planisher Die
Avoids marking, yet stretches and planishes to a polished finish. Large 2.5" die works great with lower "Large Flat" die for thin or polished sheet.
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Plastic Planishing Sets
3-pc (low, med, high) crowned dies for smoothing without stretching. Special black plastic enables the steel hammer head to planish .050 3003 to a fine finish. 1-5/8" diameter.
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Rubber Head
Raises soft sheet fast without hammer marks and saves a lot of bag work. Smooths roughed-in areas for fitting which eliminates planishing time.
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Lower Die: Large Flat
2" die for planishing flat panels or raising gentle crowns.
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Lower Die - Very High Crown
Use with Roughing head or Rubber head for rapid stretching or high crowns.
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Flanger Die
This handy lower die is specifically designed for turning curved edges on compound shapes (flanging), a difficult job because the flange needs to either stretch or shrink as it is turned in order for the panel to keep its proper contour. Designed for use with either of the upper Shrinking Heads.
I know of only one machine, the Erco Flanger, an expensive tool costing thousands of dollars, which does this. Our Flanging Die is designed to turn the edge with progressive passes, with perhaps 3 to 6 passes necessary to make a 90 degree angle, depending on the metal.
The Flanging Die is designed for use in combination with and under either of the upper Shrinking Heads, and for the same alloys they are recommended for.
This die has been used to flange .032 to .063 aluminum; .040 copper; .032 stainless; and 20 ga steel. Shown in Photo: .050 3003 aluminum w/1/2" flange; 20 ga. steel w/ 5/8" flange; .040 copper w/3/4" flange This is a handy tool!
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Step Die/Riser
To raise lower dies for short barrel air units. Riser is one inch tall.
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Shrinking Die Sets
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| Yes, our Air Power Hammers really do shrink with these dies. And they do a really fine job...even shrinking in the middle of a panel, once you master the technique (learn this on our Air Hammer Operations DVD). Many shops are now using these. I have spent much time over the past few years working on these (and other) die sets. Please understand that I will only sell something that works well. Not only well for me, but for my students. If they can do it without my help, then I know it will work for you. Never mind that many of them are advanced and highly skilled engineers...(kidding).
How Shrinking Dies Work
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We offer two Shrinking Die sets, one for soft metals, and one for harder metals (steel and stainless). |
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3-Piece Shrinking Die Set for Soft Metals
For shrinking soft metals such as copper, 1100, 3003, 1/2 hard aluminum, etc. up to .070" with our medium air unit, up to .095" with heavy air unit, and up to .125" with very heavy air unit.
3-Piece Shrinking Die Set for Harder Metals
For shrinking harder metals, such as cold-rolled steel, 5052 1/2 hard, 6061 T3, and soft stainless. Up to .040" with medium air unit, .050 with heavy unit, and .063 with very heavy unit. Note: These ratings are not absolute, but are based on true results with the benchtop model, and using Kent's skill. Your results may vary, depending on air pressure, type of metal, and skill level.
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Dies for Reverses, Fairings & Saddles
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| Make die alignment your top priority before using these. They are precision made, so your machine must be adjusted properly.
See Kent's article regarding these dies
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Small Reverse Die set
Never use a mallet and bag for fairings again! Make small fairings and saddle shapes rapidly and with exceptional control and minimal marks.
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Large Reverse Die set
For making large saddle shapes/fairings. Moves the metal rapidly, accurately, and leaves minimal marks.
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Small Upper Planishers
Hardened and Precision Ground. (specify shank size when ordering).
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Flange Curving Die set
This set of 2 dies curves your flanges rapidly with near-polish and great control. Never use a jaw stretcher again!
Flange Curving Die (lower only)
(if you already have our Small Upper Planisher)
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Complete Die Set
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Die block with TM's complete line of dies. The Die Set for the "Super Deluxe" Air Power Hammer Package includes 18 dies.
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