Magnetic optical punch

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

I first thought of an operation like a solder sucker (compress plunger and press button to release) but there is a problem that the acceleration of the hammer may lift the point off the spot. Hence needs to be a bit hefty or force a gripping method that pushes it down like the traditional ones.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

I have found it!

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Well done, Bernard

MichaelG.

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

Wow, I’m impressed. Not sure it’s the way I want to go though. It’s a bit complicated and as Bazyle points out there are some downsides to consider. I really like the simplicity of the automatic punch, it just need better support.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

I find when using it stays put better than the fully auto version. I think its because the semi auto is fully loaded before use and only does one operation whereas the fully auto has to do two so sometimes you can get a bounce.IMHO

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

I found the instructions for my optical punch (Fowler) and it says its rather blunt point is designed thus to be the same as a drill. The cork base is a bit slippy so I would like to make your magnetic design sometime.

Found this regular auto-punch on thingiverse but can’t see what makes it hold and release the hammer. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4787896 and it has a video

https://youtu.be/OHkTTdodiB0

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

Thank you. From the video it seems to be a copy of the classic design, so nothing new there. I haven’t found a better design myself, so I’m shelving the idea for now.

I did however make a second shorter one with a slightly larger bore. The reduced height allowed for a a R20 lens with larger magnification.

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

It just dawned on me that this tool could be useful for letter punches as well. Not sure just how to handle rotation of the punch, but I’m sure we can figure out something?

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

You have something there. Since punches might be of more than one standard size, though typically 1/4 in, a selection of carriers with a square hole……

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

I seem to recall that GHT did something clever on punch-holding [in the Universal Pillar Tool book]
… if no-one beats me to it, I’ll have a look tomorrow.

MichaelG.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

yes its sprung on two adjacent sides so the punch is always used to one corner. I have made it and as you say clever.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

For info.

Not only is this a masterpiece of design and execution, but the drawing itself is an exemplar for what we should be expecting to see in ME&W

MichaelG.

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Credit. __ ISBN 0 85242 785 9

 

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

@Michael: Very nice indeed.

 

[FulmenParticipant @fulmen]

Here’s my plan so far, a simple printed guide with a small peg for alignment. I’ll also need a new lens with a peg and a inscribed square rather than the crosshairs on the center lens.

[Author]

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