Different types of punch and their uses

Different types of punch and their uses

punch tools is a device used to make an indentation or hole in a hard surface. Typically, they consist of a hard metal rod with a large flat “butt” at one end and a narrow tip at the other. When utilized, the broad end of the rod is struck with a hammer or mallet while the narrower end is pointed against a target surface. This causes the blunt power of the impact to be passed down the rod body and concentrated more forcefully into a small region. Typically, woodworkers strike a punch with a ball-peen hammer.

In an engineering workshop, you’ll need a variety of punches to permanently mark a piece after you’ve completed marking it with lines using a scriber or a surface gauge because the lines produced with a scriber may be damaged. Numerous varieties of punches have been utilized in workplaces throughout numerous industries for a very long time. A punch is frequently a stiff metal rod with a blunt end and a sharp tip on one end.

Punches are often classified based on the design of their tips. The prick punch tools, which may be used to mark metal with references, is the tool that is most frequently employed among these. This allows you to directly transfer the dimensions from a paper pattern to the metal. You must perfectly align the paper pattern on the metal and lay it there in order to do this. Well, In this article, you’ll learn the various types of punches and how they use.

types of punch tools

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Contents

Types of punch tools

The followings are the types of punch tools that can be found in engineering workshops:

  • Automatic Punch
  • Bell punch
  • Center Punch
  • Drift Punch
  • Drive Punch
  • Decorative Punch
  • Hollow Punch
  • Letter Stamps
  • Prick Punch
  • Pin Punch
  • Tablet Press
  • Transfer Punch
  • Solid Punch
  • Spring or Roll Pins

 

Automatic Punch

These types of punch are also unique. They are made of high-carbon steel that has been toughened or tapered. The use of a hammer is not necessary for this punch. To the body of the primary punch is a spring. The spring is held in position by a lever head. When marking needs to be done, the lever head is depressed. The pressure would cause the major punch to be compressed, marking would be completed as a result. The punch’s blow can be reduced or controlled using the lever head. Its main punch is angled either at a 60° or 90° angle.

automatic punch

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Bell punch

As the name implies, these types of punches have the shape of a small bell. The bell’s size is determined by its circumference. It is utilized to identify the precise center of circular projects and to softly label them. With the aid of a spring, a punch comparable to a center punch is secured in this perimeter. When its head is struck with a hammer to activate it, the punch spring causes it to elevate on its own.

bell punch

Center Punch

To identify the center of a point, center punch types of punch tools are used. When drilling holes, it is typically used to designate the center of the hole. If a drill doesn’t begin in a break, it will likely “wander.” A center punch creates a dimple that is sufficiently large to “guide” the drill tip. A center punch’s tip has an angle ranging from 60 to 90 degrees. A pilot hole must typically be drilled before drilling a larger hole when the drill bit is broader than the indentation made by a center punch.

center punch

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Drift Punch

These types of punches are confusing because they are not utilized in the way that punches are typically used. Before inserting a fastener, bolt or rivet holes are aligned with the help of a drift punch, drift pin, or lineup punch. The large end of the tapered rod that makes up a drift punch is where the hammer strikes. The semi-aligned bolt holes of two different components are inserted in the long end of a drift punch, which is then driven into the hole.

The taper forces the two parts into alignment as the fastener is pressed in, making insertion simple. Contrary to most punches, a drift pin’s tip or end should never be subjected to force.

Drive Punch

Drive types of punch are used to remove broken rivets, bolts, or pins that are locked or worn into a hole. It has a flat face rather than pointed ends. And because the sides of this punch taper the face, one may need to utilize the punch with a straight shank in some situations.

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Decorative Punch

On metals and several other materials, including leather, patterns and images have been produced using punches with decorative motifs. Pointillé is a technique used in bookbinding, armor construction, and gold smithing. The majority of the picture on the printing plates for metal cuts was produced by punches in the printmaking method.

decorative metal punch

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Hollow Punch

A hollow type of punch is a specific kind of hollow, hardened steel punch. It can puncture fabric, cardboard, and metal. It is available in a range of sizes and sets. Since they are hollow, the metal that is cut with them falls out through the grooves that were carved into their side. As a result, we are able to quickly create a large number of holes that are easily visible.

hollow punches

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Letter Stamps

The letter stamps are in form of a punch in the shape of a reverse image, which makes the final output immediately readable even if they can be produced as a positive image. Another term for it is a number or letter stamp. These kinds of punches are employed to transfer a letter or number print to a workpiece. This is necessary to ensure that the finished product is readable when dyeing or creating molds.

letter stamp punch

Prick Punch

Similar to a center punch, a prick type of punch tool is used for marking out. Its tip is more acutely pointed, creating a narrower and deeper indentation. It’s also referred to as a dot punch. A center punch can then be used to expand the indent before drilling. A prick punch has a 60-degree tip (the angle depends on what type of prick punch one is using).

prick punches

Pin Punch

There are several ways in which these types of punches are different from other punches. It is longer than the majority in length. Instead of being pointed, these are parallel in shape. It is used for pins that fit snugly. Other punches are unable to completely turn rivets and pins out of a hole until they do so, but pin punches can.

drive pin punches

Tablet Press

  • The tablet press has these punches. Tablet press punches, in contrast to other types of punches, have a concave end that resembles the required tablet shape. To compress the powder in between, there are lower and upper punches.

 

Transfer Punch

Transfer punches are types of punch with a fixed outer diameter that is non-tapered and runs the whole length of the punch (often found in an index set) (except for the tip). they are used to perfectly transfer the center of an existing hole to another surface when struck and closely suit the tolerances of an existing hole. For instance, it can be used to accurately fix the locations of threaded holes (produced by drilling and tapping) to bolt an object to a surface or duplicate the hole patterns in a part.

transfer punch

Solid Punch

Black smithing and sheet metal work sometimes need drilling holes with solid punch tools. These are utilized in a variety of ways depending on the task.  Solid types of punch tools are made of hardened and tempered high-carbon steel. It is essential to use cold water to cool down items after utilizing them in hot conditions. These are used in rough work since holes made with a solid punch are sometimes inaccurate and messy.

solid punch

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Spring or Roll Pins

The roll pin punch holds the roll pin’s perimeter in place with a little protrusion in the center of the pin tip. These types of punches are used to drive roll pins and feature a slightly rounded tip. Punches for spring are also well-liked. When using a roll pin punch, make sure the axis of the shank is parallel to the axis of the roll pin. Avoid closing the roll pin punch with just one side. The shank of a roll pin punch will bend if you strike it on the top of its head.

roll pin punches

What are there uses?

Punches are frequently classified based on the design of their tips. The prick punch, which may be used to mark metal with sources, is the tool that is most frequently employed among these. This allows you to directly transfer the dimensions from a paper pattern to the metal. You must precisely place the paper pattern on the metal and lay it there in order to do this. Now, use the prick punch to go over the pattern’s outline. The punch should leave minor indentations on the metal at certain points on the drawing after being lightly hit with a small hammer. Use these feelings as a guide for cutting the metal. Never apply a forceful blow with the hammer as this could bend the prick punch or possibly cause severe damage to the work material.

Different types of punch and their uses

Making huge indentations in metal, such as those required to activate a twist drill, requires the employment of a center punch. Be careful not to strike the object with enough power to have the end push through the metal or cause the metal to dimple around the depression. A center punch often weighs more than a prick punch and has a point ground at a 60-degree angle. Use the drive punch to free stuck-in-hole rivets, bolts, and pins that have been damaged. The drive punch lacks a point and has a flat front. This sort of punch is identified by the width of its face, such as 1/8-in or 1/4-in. Drive punches have sides that taper all the way to the face, but occasionally you might need to utilize one with a straight shank.

The pin or drift punch is what is used in this. In real life, you first drive the pin or bolt that needs to be removed with a drive punch until the hole prevents the punch from moving forward. The bolt or pin is then driven the remaining distance with a pin punch until it is forced out of the hole. To remove bolts or pins from holes, take care not to use a prick or a center punch because the point of the tool can spread the object, making removal far harder.

You have to use a transfer punch when a drill-locating hole in a template is required. The transfer punch normally measures 4 inches long and has a tip that goes straight for a little distance after first tapering. The transfer punch has a tip that like a prick punch. The transfer punch lives up to its name in that it can be used to transfer the location of holes through a pattern or template onto metal.

Watch the video below to learn more:

FAQs

How many types of punch are there?

The jab, cross, hook, and uppercut are the four main punches used in boxing.

What are the 3 common types of punches?

Mechanical engineering workshops frequently employ a variety of punches. Center punch, prick punch, pin punch, and drift punch are a few examples of the fundamental types.

What kind of tools are punches?

A punch is a device used to make an indentation or hole in a hard surface. Typically, they consist of a hard metal rod with a large flat “butt” at one end and a narrow tip at the other.

What are the common types of punches?

These four (4) types of punches are:
  • Jab.
  • Cross.
  • Hook.
  • Uppercut.

What punch is used for metal?

The most widely used of them is the prick punch, which can be used to mark metal with references. In this way, a paper pattern’s proportions can be easily transferred to metal. To do this, you must put the paper pattern on the metal with precise alignment.

What is a dot punch?

Dot punches are similar to center punches but have a sharper point that has been ground to a 60-degree angle by spinning it while holding it tangential to a tool grinder (i.e. in a similar manner to a Scriber).

What is pin punch used for?

After being loosened by a taper punch, pins are driven or removed using pin punches. Pin punches are designed to remove tension or solid pins and have a long head that is the same diameter as the tip.

What is a starter punch?

Keys and frozen pins are thawed using starter punches. This product will last you for many years because it is composed of high-quality materials.

What is a parallel pin punch?

Short-reach parallel pin punches. Metal pins are taken out of a hole with a pin punch. Use a starting punch to first loosen the metal pin, then a pin punch to fully remove it from the hole.

A word From Student Lesson

Punch tools are great tools to consider in any workshop including woodworking and metalworking. They are used after scribing or making lines on the surface of a workpiece.

Different types of punch and their uses

That is all for this article where different types of Punch tools are been discussed. I hope you learn a lot from the reading, if so, kindly share with other students. Thanks for reading, see you around.