Shop Bult Louver Die

**astroracer** · Mar 16, 2015, 04:42 PM

I have a need to punch some louvers in an upcoming project. These things are pretty spendy. 500 to 800 dollars for a decent one. I did the same thing here as I did with the Tubing Straightener. Designed it in 3DCAD and am building it in the shop.
Here are some snapshots off my computer. The blue pieces are the punch and the white pieces are the die.

The back. You can see the actual punch in this pic.

This pic shows the stripper plate in place. This plate contacts the sheet metal before the punch does. The die springs will help hold the sheet in place as the punch starts to work and also keep the metal from distorting to much.

I have gotten started on the build. The punch die is milled out and has holes laid out for drilling and tapping as well as the lower support plate that carries the punch die and shear plate.
The punch die.

Continued in next post.

**astroracer** · Mar 16, 2015, 04:44 PM

All milled out and ready for screw holes.

I have a few pieces cut out but that is where I am at with this project.
Thanks for looking!
Mark

**kbalch** · Mar 17, 2015, 03:44 PM

Hi Mark,

Very cool project. Keep the thread updated and we'll get the project added as soon as it's done. Neat stuff!

Ken

**DIYer** · Mar 17, 2015, 09:30 PM

Great post, astroracer! Love those drawings.

**astroracer** · Mar 18, 2015, 04:34 AM

Thanks! I'll try to get more work done this week. "Life" has been getting in the way the last few weeks...
Mark

**kbalch** · Mar 18, 2015, 09:39 AM

I hear ya on the "life" thing. I'm getting tired of seeing car parts all over the house - I need to get busy out in the garage if I want to drive my project while I'm still limber enough to get in and out of it!

Ken

**astroracer** · Mar 18, 2015, 06:51 PM

Got out in the shop for few hours today. i got the lower support plate drilled and c'bored and the punch die drilled and tapped. Surprisingly the two pieces bolted together so i must have done something right...
Drilling the base plate with guide holes. There are six of these that will be drilled out to .343 and then c'bored for a 5/16 SHCS

One more to drill and it's ready for c'boring.

C'boring.

At least all of the screws fit...

continued in next post.

**astroracer** · Mar 18, 2015, 06:57 PM

Once the base was ready I worked on the punch die. Set it up in the milling vise and drilled out the holes with 17/64 tap drill.

Tapping for a 5/16-18.

Bolted in place.

Thanks for looking.
Mark

**Doc** · Mar 19, 2015, 07:02 PM

Good work there Mark.

I'm a bit thick though, I think - what will it actually be used for

Regards

Doc

**astroracer** · Mar 19, 2015, 08:17 PM

Thanks Doc,
The punch will be used to make those "hot rod" style louvers you see on street rods and race cars. Here are some pics off my computer of the "test panel" I made while developing my punch design.

Mark