Star punch steel

[TonyL]

Can someone tell me what steel is used for Star punches or what steel could be recommended. Are the punches hardened?

[fc60]

Greetings,

The ones I have encountered are soft steel.

The ones I make for new punches are machined from 12L14.

The punch needs to be softer than the die to prevent die damage.

Cheers,

Dave

[dragonrider]

I also use 12L14 for my punches. It's unlikely that I will ever where one out.

[TonyL]

Appreciate the info and help. Do you cut the threads on a lathe or use a die? For 1/2x27 threads what diameter steel rod do you get for each method?

[dragonrider]

I use a die on mine,

[fc60]

Greetings,

I single point thread my punches to maintain radial concentricity. The thread and nose section are all cut in one setup. No, I do not size the bullets nose first.

Cheers,

Dave