Holes for dimple dies

[Benton Speed & Fab]

Just curious how you guys are making holes in sheet metal for dimple dies? Currently, I am using Morse bi-metal hole saws with chunk of 1x4 with varying sized holes pre-drilled that I clamp to my sheet metal to act as a guide to prevent the hole saw from walking. I have dimple dies in 1/4" increments from 1/2" to 2 1/2". In my electrician days, we used Greenlee knockout hole punches, but those are conduit sized. I have struck out on finding knockout punches in actual standard sizes. A CNC plasma table is not an option for me at this point anyways. Anyone have a quicker/cleaner/easier way of making holes?

Thanks,
Steve

[entropy]

Greenlee Punches
https://greenlee-cdn.ebizcdn.com/med...0Knockouts.pdf
page 91

Web search "Standard Round Knockout Punches"

E

[Graham08]

I think SWAG offroad offers dimple dies to fit the standard conduit sized punches.

And I believe they're making their own punches.

I use my 8 ton lever press wherever possible. It was a $200 auction buy, though I've far exceeded the initial purchase price with the amount of tooling I've bought for it.



This is a Whitney Jensen (later Roper Whitney) #34. Having only 8 tons limits the hole size in heavier steel, but it's awesome for the work I do in aluminum. It will do a 1-1/2" hole in 16 gauge mild steel and a 2" hole in 18 gauge.

[idickers]

I have an old set of punches from BarbedWire Offoad that match up with my dimple dies. I'm not sure if they are still in business, but SWAG now produces the right size punches. I also use the hydraulic knockout punch setup recommended on the SWAG website, and it is terrific for making holes on pieces that don't fit in my hydraulic press.

[Benton Speed & Fab]

Thanks for the responses guys. I have searched high and low and never found standard sized knockouts. Thank you very much for the link. I was also not aware SWAG released a set of standard knockout punches yet in tube size! I check their site often, but missed this. Has anyone used their knockout punches yet? If so, how are they holding up? They seem fair priced. I will likely go this route. Thanks again!