Snap-on brass drift punch

[64merc]

I picked up a large, used brass punch this afternoon cheap (about 1/2" diameter). Forgive my ignorance, but I have a couple of questions:

1. What are some common uses for a brass punch?

2. Can I grind/file the ends since they are mushroomed, and will this affect it's future performance?

Thanks guys!!

 

[garfunkle24]

I picked up a large, used brass punch this afternoon cheap (about 1/2" diameter). Forgive my ignorance, but I have a couple of questions:

1. What are some common uses for a brass punch?

2. Can I grind/file the ends since they are mushroomed, and will this affect it's future performance?

Thanks guys!!

1. Beating on anything that you don't want to mark. The idea is just that the punch is softer than the work piece. eg. to beat on the end of a shaft without mushrooming it.

2. Yes. Go easy on the grinder or you'll lose half your drift. You will have to 'dress' a brass drift very frequently if it gets used much, due to the softness.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

Safety: To not blow yourself up from a spark when you remove a fuel pump retaining ring!

-BWP

 

[MXtras]

Yes - for safety you should remove the mushroomed ends. Using a bench grinder is not a good idea, though. Just as with Aluminum, brass will clog up the wheel. If you dress the wheel you will be fine but otherwise use a belt sander or a file.

A brass punch is good to minimize damage to the component you are pounding against. The brass deforms instead of the pounded component.

Scott

 

[garfunkle24]

Safety: To not blow yourself up from a spark when you remove a fuel pump retaining ring!


-BWP

Good point! I forgot to mention the non-sparking benefit.

 

[tatra]

cuz they look nice and shiny in a tool box, right merk?.............i've used dead blows on brass and mushrooming was kept to minimum but req'd more blows..........as for buying drifts, it's cheaper to just buy bar stock for lager applications i find...........

 

[64merc]

Thanks for the comments guys. I wanted to make sure I was on the right page.

I'll probably clean it up with a file when I get a chance. Now I have something more appropriate for the applications that were mentioned. It's kinda scary, but I didn't use a brass punch (didn't have one) a few years ago when I removed the fuel pump retaining ring on my bro in law's van.

BTW, I bought it with a bunch of other "junk" tools today - probably paid about $1 for the punch.

 

[grillmasterp]

1. What are some uses for a brass punch?

-Removing cone washers from Aisin manual hubs
-removing/reinstalling CV shafts

 

[billymade]

I think yah, done good! Snapon punches arn't cheap!!!!!!

Punch, Drift, Bronze, 1/2" point, 8" Stock#: PPB816A $26.50


http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1037&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[Brad54]

Do NOT use a grinder to dress a brass punch. Even if you plan on dressing the wheel afterwards. It loads up the wheel, can throw it off balance, and an unbalanced stone wheel spinning at a few thousand RPM, at the height of your gut or nuts, is not something you want to deal with if it decides it can't take the harmonics and goes "boom."

Hand file it. It's brass...it files quick!

Good score. This is one of those tools where finding a name brand for dirt cheap is cool, but if you don't have one, a Harbor Freight piece will do just as well. Brass is brass...it's designed to be the sacrificial part, and an expensive one isn't going to last or outperform a cheap one. I've used the cheap one I bought at the flea market several times. It's an excellent addition to your tool box.

-Brad

 

[bchee]

Safety: To not blow yourself up from a spark when you remove a fuel pump retaining ring!

I used a screwdriver last time I did that. I'm lucky nothing bad happened.

 

[Uncle Buck]

as for buying drifts, it's cheaper to just buy bar stock for lager applications i find...........

Me too, same story.

 

[64merc]

I used a screwdriver last time I did that. I'm lucky nothing bad happened.

I guess we're lucky to still be in one piece.

 

[Elroy]

Good score. This is one of those tools where finding a name brand for dirt cheap is cool, but if you don't have one, a Harbor Freight piece will do just as well. Brass is brass...

Well it's very obvious to Elroy you must be abusing narcotics because you're not in touch with reality. Didn't you know that Snap-on has a special quality control department especially for their brass tools ?? During their manufacture they employ numeros checks to ensure you're charged as much as possible. Haven't you been reading about the cost of copper and tin ?

Actually in this case Harbor Freight would be your best friend. Finding a Snappy for a buck is like getting a bonus because that logo stamped in the side is priceless. NOT

Good score

 

[goeb92]

after you file it pull out the file card and clean that file

 

[bomber]

or rub a piece of chalk across the file before filing -- the chalk will keep the teeth from loading up . . . . .good tip for filing aluminum, as well

 

[TNToy]

A grinder scares me, and hand filing still leaves a file loaded with brass.

Just lop the end off with a hacksaw. That's all I've ever done.

 

[Pedro-snapon]

... why not just get it warranted with snappy for the mushrooming ?

 

[Jokeman]

... why not just get it warranted with snappy for the mushrooming ?

That isn't considered a consumable?

 

[Pedro-snapon]

punches chisels are not consumables according to snappy

 

[64merc]

punches chisels are not consumables according to snappy

Hmm, I didn't know that, but I think I'm going to have to take care of it myself since I don't frequent the snappy truck. Thank you for letting me know though.