Sheet Metal Punch Options?

[Stuey]

Okay, so I'm considering purchasing a hole puncher for lightweight hobby tasks. I want to punch holes from 1/8" to about 1/4" in relatively thin aluminum.

Since this won't be used too frequently, I don't want to spend a fortune. For thicker and harder materials, I have my drill.

I was thinking about the Roper Whitney #5 which is about $75 or so.

I was wondering... could I use an arbor press to the same effect? For a little less cash, I could pick up a 1 ton Palmgren press. However, quite a bit of googling and searching machining forums, and I cannot find any references to using an arbor press in this manner. Do you guys have any suggestions?

I figure that in the worst case scenario I'll give the RW portable punch a chance.

Grainger's product page for the 1 ton press mentions a 1/2" diamater and 3/4" hole on the ram. So I would just need to find a punch and die to fit this length? I believe the ram has a magnetic holder impregnated in it.

 

[1320stang]

I'd go the RW route, takes up less space for one.

 

[Lyaec350]

You could go down to the nearest hardware store and buy a couple drillbits... what advantage does punching holes vs drilling them give esp on thin alum which is really easy to drill...

 

[eschoendorff]

You could go down to the nearest hardware store and buy a couple drillbits... what advantage does punching holes vs drilling them give esp on thin alum which is really easy to drill...

A cleaner edge? I'm just guessing here...

 

[Stuey]

Cleaner bur-free edge, less preparation, increased speed. There are situations where using a DP or portable drill are more trouble than they're worth. Also, I'd like to reduce the amount of conductive debris.

 

[rsanter]

the RW is a good tool and I do not this the price is too out there

if you will only use it occasionally then you can get the copy from HF and it works good enough

bob

 

[PAToyota]

Probably overkill for what you are suggesting, but would a set of punches and dies for an ironworker work with a suitably sized shop press? For that matter, would the notchers work? I realize an ironworker is a different machine than a shop press, but for the occasional use, would it be an option?

 

[Major Ramifications]

Punching is the way to make nice, clean, holes, and you can also do square holes, rectangles, double D's, louvers, etc. You can also get blanking dies that save the part that you punch for making disks, etc. I don't know how much of this the #5 can do, however.
Roper Whitney is a good brand and very easy to find punches and dies for.
I don't think the arbor press would make a good punch, because it's action is so slow. If you have ever operated a punch too slowly, it sometimes stretches the metal and makes a nasty hole. The other thing to remember is the clearance between the punch and die. The thicker the material, the more clearance is needed. I used to use a rule of thumb, but I don't remember it. I think I multiplied the thickness of the material by some factor, and that gave me my clearance. I don't know what that factor was.

 

[Stuey]

The RW #5 can only do round holes. The ** can accept square punches, but at double the cost. While I'd like to be able to punch square holes, there is a much greater need for round ones.

 

[Elroy]

A month or so ago, Elroy was at the local Home Depot and noticed they carried a Chinese knock off of that Roper Whitney punch for like $20.00. The local store had several in the "Aluminum/Vinyl Siding" department. The problem is they only came with one die and Elroy can't tell you if the individual RW dies would fit. Worth a try to inspect them if you have an HD near by.

The tool had the right price anyways.

 

[Stuey]

A month or so ago, Elroy was at the local Home Depot and noticed they carried a Chinese knock off of that Roper Whitney punch for like $20.00. The local store had several in the "Aluminum/Vinyl Siding" department. The problem is they only came with one die and Elroy can't tell you if the individual RW dies would fit. Worth a try to inspect them if you have an HD near by.

The tool had the right price anyways.

I was at Lowes earlier today and tried scouting one out to no success. I might try HD sometime next week.

The thing is, I need several sizzes, and the punches are ~9 a piece. THe RP comes with 7 sizes, 5 or 6 of which I could/would use. I'll think about whether I want a cheapo import brand. I haven't really heard good things about the cheapo versions though - I keep hearing that they dull out and don't punch through after a few uses.

Even if I buy a used one, the cost of punches at $9 a piece doesn't make it that worthwhile. I plan on using it for 1/8, 5/32, and 3/16 rivets, and #6 and #8 bolts, and possibly 1/4" as well. Cost of punches + cheapo tool = just about the same price as the #5 kit.

 

[danski0224]

The RW #5 JR punch will be a good fit to your needs.

 

[Elroy]

Cost of punches + cheapo tool = just about the same price as the #5 kit.

Yep.

Just be advised that the tool Elroy saw was a dead ringer knock off for the #5JR Roper and it did come with one punch.

The call is your shot. Elroy would go Roper especially if you're actually going to use all the sizes your stating. If you're really going to use only one or two sizes then the HD clone + a loose punch and die would be the less expensive route IMHO.

Scratch that ****.........

Get the Roper and keep the economy going. Better yet spend the coin and get the *********** model and every oblong and hex punch available. Tools are cool. Don't be cheap.

 

[Stuey]

Get the Roper and keep the economy going. Better yet spend the coin and get the *********** model and every oblong and hex punch available. Tools are cool. Don't be cheap.

lol! I wish! I don't have a lot of discretionary spending money these days, and plan on maximizing the little I do have.

 

[Elroy]

I don't have a lot of discretionary spending money these days, and plan on maximizing the little I do have.

Good luck to ya on your project. Elroy has full confidence you'll make the right call and move forward.

Now for a little fun, Don't get bent there Stuey. Just a little fun:


What the HELL is YOUR problem. Don't you have a CREDIT CARD ???

You cheap skate

Gees EVERYONE has a little plastic. Just whip that baby out and sign your name. Live a little now and pay it off later. Hell havn't you been reading the papers lately. The banks are hurt'n man. They need your business and at only 24% interest. That's cheap at ONLY 2% a month.

Elroy says: Thank you for being a responsible consumer and living with in your means.

 

[6skott]

Not sure exactly what you are doing, but a few things for you to consider:

1. Punches that you could easily use in an arbor press can run ~$60 per hole size. Likely too costly for you, but if you have lots of holes of one size...
2. Have you considered a Unibit? Irwin # 10231 covers 1/8" to 1/2" via 1/32" increments and makes far cleaner holes than a drill bit. Makes the same mess...
3. The Roper 5-JR is a nice piece--you will be happy you bought it. Consider spending the extra $15 for the bench mount if you are punching small pieces or are doing many of the same. Just be sure the throat depth meets your needs.

 

[Stuey]

Hmm, the bench mount is only $15? Not a bad idea... although I'll have to find a bench =). I have a few unibits and just bought a spare 1/8"-1/2" and one from 1/4" to 3/4".

As for my credit card... I'm already purchasing slightly above my budget, hehe. I'm purchasing a few things in anticipation of my govt. economic stimulus rebate and tax refund. Not going too crazy, just enough. Maybe I'll hold off until after I actually see the refund, at least for the RW luxury.

 

[eschoendorff]

[*]Have you considered a Unibit? Irwin # 10231 covers 1/8" to 1/2" via 1/32" increments and makes far cleaner holes than a drill bit. Makes the same mess...

This would be the way i would go if I just needed a few clean holes n some thing stuff.

Cannot make different shaped holes though....

 

[milkovich]

Milkovich really wants an arbor press and suggests eschoendorff buy one so he can live vicariously through him.

 

[W-Cummins]

I have the roper punch set ( I got it at Enco, use-enco.com and it was on sale they run them on sale every few months) I have had mine for a few years but I remember that I paid about $45 for it) and it's a nice tool. I also have an iron worker and the dies for it ( also a nice tool but much more $$) I have 2 arbor presses and you could adapt one to punch but it would be a lot of work.


William...

 

[milkovich]

I have the roper punch set ( I got it at Enco, use-enco.com and it was on sale they run them on sale every few months) I have had mine for a few years but I remember that I paid about $45 for it) and it's a nice tool. I also have an iron worker and the dies for it ( also a nice tool but much more $$) I have 2 arbor presses and you could adapt one to punch but it would be a lot of work.


William...

 

[Stuey]

I have the roper punch set ( I got it at Enco, use-enco.com and it was on sale they run them on sale every few months) I have had mine for a few years but I remember that I paid about $45 for it) and it's a nice tool. I also have an iron worker and the dies for it ( also a nice tool but much more $$) I have 2 arbor presses and you could adapt one to punch but it would be a lot of work.


William...

Hmm, maybe I'll wait around for it to drop to $45, then. At the moment I 'wanted' one but don't really 'need' one, so to save $30, I can play the waiting game.

In the meantime, I'm going to take advantage of Enco's free shipping on a product or two. That's why I asked if an arbor press can be used - even a small beast would otherwise cost $20+ to ship.

 

[5wndwcpe]

Milkovich really wants an arbor press and suggests eschoendorff buy one so he can live vicariously through him.

 

[Stuey]

and....

Stuey bought the RW #5 and is thrilled!

8 months later, and the story is concluded!

 

[senlow]

Yes, the RW 5 is a great little punch. Sheet metal work is great fun, and addictive. So, what will be your next tool. Will it be a bead roller, a shear, a brake a slip roll, or???